Wayside Parishes is an autobiographical presentation recounting the celebrations, trials, and difficulties of a pastor and his family. Spanning over the course of fifty years, the journey follows the growth and change of each community through the lens of the church. With humble beginnings on his father's farm, James Arva Shirer reveals the pathway to something greater than himself, the building of ministries that will inspire generations to come. From plays and pageants to Sunday school and public school education, from YMCA to military war supports, from outreach to financial planning, this book demonstrates the grassroots efforts to change lives for the better. Pastor Shirer walks through his personal life endeavors and failures, while holding steady to his dedication to the Methodist Church he was saved in. Reminisce of times gone by as you take a walk in the shoes of one man as he progresses from a country pastor to an urban and city minister, making an impact on family life, education, and the environment around him.