Perhaps it would be appropriate to note before the passing of this year of 2007 that it marks a significant milestone in my own life, that of a half century in Christian ministry. Fifty years ago I answered a call to become the pastor of the Christian Church in Sparta, Missouri. I hasten to add that I was still a teen-ager and that it doesn’t seem that long ago.

Since 1957 I have served five other churches: two of them for three year terms, two of them for ten year terms, and one for twelve. The last church my wife and I still attend. I have additionally been asked to preach and teach for a number of churches in several different denominations, and it is always a joy to meet my Christian brothers and sisters in whatever geographic or ecclesiastical context.

You may ask what I have learned in fifty years. Certainly, I have learned that I do not have all the answers, but I know where those answers are to be found. God has broken and humbled me several times in discipline and sanctification, and I have come to understand that this service is not about me and my qualities as a preacher or teacher; rather, it is about God receiving glory through the proclamation of His word and his sheep being drawn to their shepherd through the agency of rather cracked and common vessels. I have learned that God is sovereign and in firm control of this world, and that “Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.” Christ shall reign victorious, and it does not depend on me; but God may yet deign to use me, a sinner, to accomplish some measure of His glorious work. For this fact I am humbly grateful.

I have met wonderful Christian brothers and sisters, and I treasure the relationship I have with each one. I have learned great lessons from every experience. I have seen love and compassion, I have seen faith in action, I have witnessed the endurance that comes from suffering, and I have witnessed hatred, legalism, and blatant evil, even in my own life. I have had brothers and sisters who had enough concern for me to correct me and teach me great truths. I am so thankful that God chose me for eternal life and called me to salvation in His Son. I am secondly thankful that He saw fit to allow me to come to know not only the grace of God, but the God of grace.