NEW SALEM — Chris Ames has been chosen as North Congregational Church’s interim pastor, replacing a man who held the job for more than half a century.

Ames, 52, is slated to deliver his first service on April 6, after having twice filled in for the Rev. Edward “Ted” Boren, who entered the pulpit in 1970 and retired on Sept. 1.

“I didn’t even realize I was being considered, until they asked me,” Ames said. “I’ll be completely committed to New Salem.”

Ames was selected following a vote of North Congregational Church’s parishioners. There had been a rotation of visiting pastors since Boren stepped down at 82 years old.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the parishioners and the community as a whole,” Ames said. “I’m available for whatever I am needed for.”

Ames, a resident of Southampton, will be paid for approximately 20 hours per week as a bivocational pastor, as he is also a project manager in the commercial construction industry.

Boren said he has seen Ames preach and he liked what he saw.

“I’m telling you, I think he’s a very, very smart fellow,” said Boren, who is contemplating a move to the Carolinas with his family.

Ames is a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served as an A-10 crew chief during Operation Desert Storm and the Bosnia conflict in the mid-1990s. He has worked in construction for 30 years, and is a board member and volunteer at Pine Brook Camp & Conference Center in Shutesbury. He also has a master of divinity degree with a theology cognate from Liberty University.

“However, my passion and calling are to share the Gospel of Christ Jesus and shepherd fellow believers in developing an authentic, intimate, transformative relationship with the Lord through the exegetical preaching of His Word,” he said in a statement, “applying the principles of God’s teaching to our everyday lives and equipping the church to fulfill the work of the ministry. For the past 20 years, I have served as a teacher, elder, preacher, counselor and interim pastor in local churches.

“Before the resurrected Christ Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He instructed His Apostles to ‘make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,’” he added.

Ames said he is thrilled to offer some continuity to North Congregational Church’s parishioners after months of having pastors on rotation following Boren’s retirement, and Boren said the church is in good hands.

“I think the choice is magnificent, honestly,” Boren said. “I’m going to say, I think he’s the best preacher in western Massachusetts. He’s really good. He’s very gifted.”

Sunday school is held at 60 Elm St. at 9 a.m., with service starting at 10.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.