Not that long ago I was talking to a friend who moved to a new pastorate. His predecessor served this “tall steeple” church for 25 years, but unfortunately, the “retired” pastor was having trouble letting go the reins of leadership. Having purchased a house only blocks from the church, the retired pastor not only continued as a member of the congregation, but he routinely questioned the new pastor's every move. He criticized sermons and decisions, and he became upset when the new pastor did not yield to him. It was a most difficult situation.
My friend knew I had become the pastor of Blacksburg Baptist Church only a few years earlier. Knowing I had likewise followed a highly respected, long-term pastor, he instinctively turned to me for empathy and affirmation. With a sly smile he said, “Tell me, Tommy. I'm sure you know exactly how I feel.” My response: “I have no idea how you feel, Tom. I followed Ray Allen.”
There are giants among us. Dr. Allen is one of them. No pastor has ever had an easier transition to a new church than did I, and the excellent ministry and support of my predecessor was a key factor in creating such ease. In 1997 when I was considering a move to Blacksburg I called Ray several times to ask his insight.
Having met him once before, I instantly liked the man. He seemed caring and wise, yet he had the courage to try new things even in the closing years of his ministry. Some pastors “retire” long before they leave the helm of the church. Not so with Ray. This man led his church toward new and cutting edge ministries through the closing days of his pastoral service. Unwilling to accept the status quo as sacred, he placed Blacksburg Baptist Church on a broad map during his 21 years as its pastor. Seeds of Hope, which is now an international ministry, was founded by BBC. The partnership mission enjoyed today between the India Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Association of Virginia was founded almost 25 years ago by Ray Allen and Blacksburg Baptist Church. These are but two of the many innovative mission efforts he produced.
In Ray's last years in Blacksburg, in a time when many long-term pastors would have been “winding down,” he led the church to expand to four Sunday services for outreach. In those days the early service was traditional, the 9:45 a.m. service was contemporary and the 11 a.m. service was liturgical. The 1 p.m. service was an outreach to the large Korean community in Blacksburg. Though today we hold the more formal service at 8:30, we continue the four service format. It remains quite successful.
When I first contacted Ray in 1997 he answered every question as honestly as he could. But in our last conversation prior to my accepting the call, Ray said, “Tommy, just so you won't be looking over your shoulder let me assure you of three things. First, I'm tired and I'm RE-tired. I don't want to be the pastor of BBC anymore. Second, I've bought a house north of Roanoke on Smith Mountain Lake, so I won't be hanging around Blacksburg. I have friends in Blacksburg and I'll be talking to them, but not about you. And third, no one wants to see you succeed at BBC more than I do, so if you ever need my counsel, call me. But I won't call you. You are BBC's pastor now. Lead the place, I'll be fishing, and if I can help, let me know.”
Since that day I have called Ray many times both socially and professionally. Every time he has been gracious and he has had good light to shine. Only once did he say, “That's a new one! I have no idea what's going on there. I'm afraid I can't help you with this one, Tommy, but I'll be praying for you — unless the fish are biting.” How refreshing to see a minister with a sense of humor, and how refreshing to know a pastor secure enough to actually say, “I don't know.” How I wish there were more of those!
In 2001 as our church celebrated its 150th anniversary we named Ray Allen as our pastor emeritus. I made a joke about how good it was to have back our founding pastor. No one enjoyed the joke more than Ray. Twice a year he returns to preach in the pulpit he literally made famous. Each sermon is fresh. Not once has he dusted off a “moldy goldie” to preach to his former flock.
However, the best compliment I can offer this man, and perhaps his strongest sign of character, is that Ray has celebrated every success Blacksburg Baptist Church has enjoyed since he left as pastor. A few years ago he returned to visit. The sanctuary was literally packed for our third service. I asked Ray to offer a morning prayer. As he gazed at the capacity crowd his face beamed. Following the service Ray walked up and said, “Tommy, this church has moved on to the next level. This is great!” And the best part was — he meant it.
A student once asked me the marks of a great minister. I thought for a moment and then I said, “They keep the faith always, they care as much on their last day as they did on their first, they pray with sincerity for all that is yet to come, they celebrate every success as if it is their own, and they spend every day of their ministry working to be vital, relevant — and expendable.” I made the list from my experience with Dr. Ray Allen, a true friend and a giant among ministers.
Tommy McDearis is senior pastor of Blacksburg Baptist Church. Ray Allen and his wife of 50 years, Ann, live in Moneta.