Broadening His Horizons

I was sitting in the interview chair waiting for the camera to come on and begin my thirty second spot of chatting about my service club’s big event on Saturday when the reporter, a good friend of mine, whispered to me, “I’ve started preaching out at the little church I attend.” I told him I thought that was great because he has always had such a sweet spirit and a passion for people and Christ. I also told him I thought he would be a natural at it… he is thoughtful, provocative, and doesn’t mind challenging people to think.

“The only reason I never went into ministry full time is because I didn’t want to have to bury people before their time or marry people who didn’t want to be married.” I could relate to that aspect of ministry well as the lowest point in my time as a minister was having to officiate two funerals within one week for babies. Seeing parents who had been trying for a while totally crushed by the death of their infant. It was the worst experience and the most faith challenging because there is no great answer to their pleading of “why?”

I hope the best for my friend. I hope he never has to officiate a funeral for a child and I really hope his time in ministering and teaching is filled with blessings and challenges that will only build his faith. I think I just might have to slip out there and hear him speak.