Just a few passing thoughts this week as I attended a funeral of a well known man in town…
I didn't know this man but he apparently knew half my church because it seemed that they were all there. Although this caught my attention it wasn’t what I focused in on while I was there. What really caught my attention was the person leading the funeral services. It was our Austin section presbyter and former senior pastor to the church I am currently at. The crowd at the service was a diverse bunch made up of our church and surrounding communities. What struck my attention is how many people know my presbyter. It doesn’t surprise me when I think about it…after all he has been ministering in this area for over 30 years. Wow! 30 years!

As I sat and watched him handle the service with tenderness and tell stories of the times he has spent hunting and fishing with these families from all over the community. I saw the power of 3 decades of influence. He has stood the test of time with these families and he is still here. Nothing has more power than the longevity of a friendship. Nothing nurtures a friendship like time. Time in the trenches with families and friends fosters creditability, influence, and ultimately impact.

I’ve only known my presbyter for 8 months…and already I am influenced that being his friend and serving under his authority will be a great learning experience in the ministry that God has given me…because I know that my presbyter is going to be around a while. His ministry screams, “I go the distance!”

What does your ministry scream?