Tonight my dad came to my ministerial rescue, making it number 356 in a long list of times he has bailed me out. Starting Church of the King right out of Bible College meant I was destined to face alot of firsts; and I have. But one thing that makes facing firsts doable is a dad who has already faced most of them.
The first time I had to perform a wedding, my dad helped me out. The first time I had to perform a funeral, my dad helped me out. The first time I got stuck at an airport trying to make it back in time for church, he stepped in and preached for me. He preached the first mission's convention at our church.
Tomorrow morning I have another first. It's my first graveside service. So I asked my dad today for some advice, and he ran to his office and got me all his graveside service notes.
My dad was elected to pastor of one of the largest Assembly of God churches in Michigan when as their youth pastor for less than a year, his senior pastor, Art Clay, passed away. He was brand new in the ministry, and in his mid-twenties, when he was called on to perform his first funeral service. He likes to tell the story now that when he went to consult his notes from Bible College about how to perform a funeral, the only thing he had written down was "Don't stand too close to the hole."
My dad has worked hard to give me what he didn't have the privilege of enjoying; a great example.
He's got more than 30 years of full time ministry under his belt. That means that in an advantageous father-son kind of way, so do I. I guess that makes me a 26 year-old pastor with more than 30 years of full time ministry experience.
Thanks dad!
Great tribute to Dad, Brad. I love reading your blogs. MOM
Posted by: Marilynn Leach | October 24, 2005 at 09:39 AM