I
was trying to recall the first time I can remember listening to my dad
preach. The first visual picture I have
of it is when we lived in San Diego.
Maybe I was in children’s church before that I am not sure but I just
can’t picture it until then. Previously,
we had been in Texas and Fillmore, California.
My dad has been a senior pastor my whole life. He was my first pastor and my favorite pastor
until I myself married a pastor. He’s
still in the top 5 though! In a little
over a week my dad will not be retiring from ministry because I don’t think
people in full-time ministry ever really retire, but he will be retiring from
being a senior pastor. I am excited for
this new chapter in my parent’s lives and I am so interested to see how the
Lord continues to use them but it is also so strange to me because I have never
known him to do anything else. We’ve
known for several months that my dad was going to retire so being a woman, now
a mom of two, and just more emotional as I age, I have been reminiscing more
and more over his years of ministry. I
have fun memories like the time my dad all the sudden was up front singing a
duet and I really had no idea he could sing.
Also, the time he told an embarrassing story about me from the pulpit
and I made him promise to never to do that again. I was about to enter junior high when that
happened so you can imagine how I felt.
I thought my world was over. He
has stuck to that agreement as far as I know!
I have also been thinking about what I appreciate about my dad’s
ministry. I am thankful for his clear
and accurate teaching of God’s Word. I
think like him so I am blessed by his teaching and I love the fact that you
never walk away thinking now what was that all about? You always know something new or are
challenged to grow. I am also grateful
for his character. He is honest,
gracious and sober-minded. Most of all
he is a man of integrity. I have seen
his integrity played out in various ways throughout the years in good and bad
situations. He has never wavered. I have also been thinking about the hard
times our family has endured together in ministry. Every family goes through
trials it’s just when you are a pastor’s family you usually go through some
trials in ministry. These trials are
usually public and can leave you heart broken or if you are not careful,
angry. My dad has always been our strong
leader in the midst of these trials. He
has been our leader because he has always been our example. The only thing that angers him in times like
this is if God and His Word are being dishonored. He does not allow circumstances or people to
dictate his emotions. He is supremely
gracious and ready to forgive anyone at any time. I really believe that our family has grown to
be so close because of being in ministry together for all of these years. Through the good and the challenging times
the Lord has given us each other to look to.
Ministry was always done as a family, as a team, growing up and I think
it is only a testament to my dad doing things right that my sister and I also
married pastors because we wanted to continue to serve in the church in this
particular role.
I
am glad I have had opportunities to think of all the Lord has done through my
dad’s simple desire to do the will of God.
My dad has been faithful to go where God has called him to serve and I
know he will continue to be faithful. It
is the air he breathes and the food he eats to do the will of his Heavenly
Father.
I
am so proud of you dad! I am so thankful
for all that you have done for me and for the people who have sat under your
leadership and teaching.
