My dad, John Walter McKay, is retiring from the ministry next month–HE’S NOT RETIRED YET, AND DON’T SUGGEST THAT HE IS!–so I dedicate this blog entry to him, and to my mother. Please tell them nice things about what you read, because I did well there at Christmas this year (see the previous blog), and hope to do even better in 2011. I’ve always wondered why I wasn’t their favorite, and finally after 40 years it looks like the cream is finally rising to the top. QSS.
My Dad was born into farming, and as the cliche’ aptly states, “You can take the kid off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the kid.” For the past 46 years, however, Dad has been a farmer only by avocation. His heart may have been on the farm, but his hands were in the Word. But then that’s not right, and it’s not fair. In his nearly 38 years of full-time church ministry, he invested all of his energies into the churches God led him to shepherd. I think Dad will agree with me–I hope he will agree, because he’s hard to pry away from his position and Christmas is only 355 days away–when I report that ministry for Dad was more a matter of perspiration than eloqution. When I think of his style of ministry, I don’t recall sermons delivered with aplomb or prayers dripping with pious eloquence. Rather, I think of humanitarian mission trips…Florida after Hurricane Andrew, Missouri after the awful flooding of the Mississippi River in 1993, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, Evansville after the deadly tornadoes in November 2005. I think of him working one-on-one with Mr. Craig, who knew he needed salvation but believed he needed to quit smoking first. I think of him going into the church at 0300, single-handedly putting out a fire set by arsonists that did an amazing amount of smoke damage. I think of him cutting firewood with the Lions Club on winter Saturday mornings.
Ministry is hard work, folks. It’s not hard like digging ditches or chopping firewood, but it’s the kind of hard that keeps you up at night wondering if you’re getting through to anyone. It’s the kind of hard where you know people are sprinting right into hell and you also know that in many cases you can’t stop their headstrong sprint.
Ministry is also a team effort, and I would be remiss not to mention that Mom has been with Dad every step of the trip. She’s been a cheerleader and a trusted advisor, and she’s been active in ministry of her own in every way. The paycheck had Dad’s name on it, but Mom could put it in the bank with knowing satisfaction.
My prayers for Dad and Mom in retirement are threefold.
- First, that God will allow you years and years to enjoy your retirement
- Second, that you will seek out opportunities to be a grandpa and grandma, even when it’s not terribly convenient
- Third, that you will in various ways come to understand and appreciate the impact of your labor for the Lord
You did good, Pop.
What a beautiful, eloquent tribute to your wonderful dad
I have been on the receiving
and mom, Mike. YOU TALK GOOOOOD!!!!
end of both your parents’ gifts and count that to be one of my
life’s greatest blessings!
By: Linda Harris on January 6, 2011
at 02:43
Mike, I am humbled (truly) by your thoughts. Beautiful they are! Thank you! It has been my prayer that you, Karen, and Mark would understand some of the “whys” of many of the decisions John & I made concerning ministry. Joe Craig was one hard nut to crack – I remember them visiting us at Fillmore, and his saying “you left too soon.” I said, “No, Joe, we didn’t.” Then receiving the message that he had accepted Christ – what total joy and rejoicing. We sent a rose to the church in his honor the day he was baptized. LCBC had a rose when a new baby was born. Joe was a new creation! I pray we will do those things you listed in retirement, too. Keep writing! Love you!
By: Mombo on January 9, 2011
at 03:58