Cecil is a “truth teller”...a Baptist prophet.  In his refreshing style he reveals his integrity, conviction and candor as a Baptist pastor who challenged racial prejudice in the 60’s and fundamentalism in the 80’s. His perspective of the SBC “takeover” and the functioning of the “Peace Committee” stir painful memories for many who experienced it and provide valuable insight for those who would learn from history.  His account of caring for Dot in the dark world of Alzheimers is moving.

— R. Keith Parks, CFRE, Chairman
World Missions (International Mission Board, SBC,
and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship)

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Like most fine preachers, Cecil Sherman is a great story teller, and he tells of his own highly eventful life as a leading Southern Baptist parson engagingly well. He was a central figure in the the struggle for the soul of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Fundamelntalist-Moderate controversy—the central figure on the moderate side—and this superb memoir is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand the twentieth (and early twenty-first) century story of Southern Baptists. Cecil’s real passion has always been for the life and health of the congregation as the ultimate steward of the gospel of Christ. Not surprisingly, his career has been a long success story with the churches he’s served as pastor and interim pastor. Any young minister—and most older ones—could do a lot worse than to study his principled and disciplined mastery of pastoral minstry reflected in By My Own Reckoning. If you don’t think there’s a future in the ministry for intellectual honesty and the courage of your convictions, check this book out.

— Jim Slatton
Pastor Emeritus, River Road Church, Baptist

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An understanding of recent Baptist history is not complete without a reading of this book. Far beyond its historical importance the reader will find here a deeply personal account of one who is a skilled pastor, a prophetic voice at a time of denominational crisis, an inspiring leader of a new Baptist movement, as well as a caring husband and father. These are stories that only Cecil Sherman can tell, when he speaks as a pastor dealing with the race issue, as an eyewitness to the decline and reformation of Baptist life, or as a husband struggling with his wife’s Alzheimer’s disease. Through it all one sees a consistent theme of integrity and honesty, whether it be in dealing with ethical issues, a theological position, or simply one’s marriage vows. Modern-day Baptists owe a great deal to Cecil Sherman and we can learn much from the reading of his story.”

— Thomas H. Graves
President Emeritus, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond