Monday, December 26, 2005
Of Bread and Salt...
Two weeks ago, our pastor Dan Clay preached his last sermon as our pastor. Afterward, there were impromptu tributes by members of the congregation before a potluck dinner. Perhaps one of the most fitting tributes came from one of the men who probably be on the session shortly when he said that Dan and Amy were special because they were sincere. I have to echo this sentiment. Both Dan and Amy loved our congregation very much. They sacrificed much in the way of time and treasure to shepherd God's people and were an example for me and my wife.
Dan, succeeded in bringing the whole counsel of God to us. His sermons were intelligent and very exposited from. It was no coincidence that when I was facing spiritual challenges, Dan's sermons tended to be on target. He will be well suited for his new role as a teacher to Ukrainian pastors and elders because much of his preaching was teaching as well.
Amy will be missed too. She was always ready to help and to lend a hand. She has a generosity of spirit that served us well. She lent books on parenting to my wife and was usually available for questions or advice. Her service not only extended to the work of the church, she was effective in homeschooling their 3 children. In short, both Dan and Amy were successful in meeting the qualifications for elders and their wives as told by St. Paul
It is for this reason that Dan and Amy will be missed. I pray that God will blesstheirr new endeavor and that His kingdom will be furthered abroad. AMEN.
Dan, succeeded in bringing the whole counsel of God to us. His sermons were intelligent and very exposited from. It was no coincidence that when I was facing spiritual challenges, Dan's sermons tended to be on target. He will be well suited for his new role as a teacher to Ukrainian pastors and elders because much of his preaching was teaching as well.
Amy will be missed too. She was always ready to help and to lend a hand. She has a generosity of spirit that served us well. She lent books on parenting to my wife and was usually available for questions or advice. Her service not only extended to the work of the church, she was effective in homeschooling their 3 children. In short, both Dan and Amy were successful in meeting the qualifications for elders and their wives as told by St. Paul
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer[b] is entrusted with God's work, he must be blamelessÂnot overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:6-9
It is for this reason that Dan and Amy will be missed. I pray that God will blesstheirr new endeavor and that His kingdom will be furthered abroad. AMEN.
