Those That Came Before

Today I want to honor a select group of pastors who were recently recognized by Salem Covenant Church and also subject of an article on the Evangelical Covenant Church website (see link at the end of this post).

These men along with their wives are a select group of pastors who have reached the milestone of being ordained for 50+ years in the ECC. These pastors have had a large impact on me and my call to ministry. They have walked the road of ministry and gone through its trials and joys. I have known most of them from my years growing up at Salem and in-fact a few of them have been my pastor. One in the group just "retired" in December. I recently asked him how retirement was going and he said that he is more busy now then before. I guess it just goes to show as a retired pastor that I met at Colonial Acres said, "A pastor does not retire, he just goes out to pastor!"

There is something else that these men represent and that is the fact that no matter how long they have been "retired" there is still ministry to do in the church. I know that several of them have served as interim pastors in various churches, provided pulpit supply, and continue to minister in chaplaincy positions. This also shows that there is a place for all to do ministry in the church. So often we think that because someone is retired or been at it for a long time that they should not be doing ministry in the church. Maybe they seem out of touch or their ideas to archaic. The fact of the matter is the church does need these people. The church needs the Sunday School teacher who is 80 and been teaching since 1950. The church needs the retired bank executive who is the church treasurer who still insists on keeping the books with ledgers and calculators instead of spread sheets and computers. All members of the body of Christ have something to contribute. I do not think that one can be a Christian and not be in some sort of ministry no matter how insignificant it might seem. We need to remember our elders and value their input and ministry because one day we too will find ourselves in their shoes.

To the honorees, I say, "Congratulations on reaching 50+ years of ordained ministry and keep up the good work."

Link to story: http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item5374