In churches across the Commonwealth, many of them Baptist, the Advent season was initiated by the lighting of the first Advent candle. The four candles on the wreath traditionally stand for hope, peace, joy and love—attributes of Christ's presence in our lives.
Last Sunday, on the first Sunday of Advent, I was unexpectedly met by these four as they gathered with me for worship.
I was afforded the honor and pleasure of participating in the installation service of a young pastor. Two other gray-heads, besides myself, also shared in parts of the service: Cecil Sherman and Elmer West—they being even further along the ministerial journey than I. I suspect I am speaking for the two of them also when I describe the sense of hope, peace, joy and love I felt during that service.
The young man in question, Mark White (no relation to myself), who has become a pastor for the first time after serving the Williamsburg Baptist Church as associate pastor, represents for me the next generation of pastors. At a certain point in our lives we finally come to understand that we are not permanent fixtures on earth. A sizeable percentage of Virginia Baptist pastors have reached that stage in life when this significant conclusion dawns. With apologies to John Donne, we have learned not to ask for whom the clock ticks, it ticks for us! Those of us in this category have become aware that the clock is ticking.
It is not a sad thing to observe that some of our faithful pastors have run the good race and are about to cross the finish line. This is as it should be. Peter James Flamming, pastor of Richmond's First Baptist comes to mind. This gifted and influential pastor has for many years provided spiritual leadership to the church Christ called him to serve. But, at the end of the year he is stepping aside knowing that the same Spirit who called him there will call another to follow. Others of us, God willing, have a few more laps to make (some more than others), but the checkered flag is in sight.
To see, therefore, stalwart young pastors taking their places behind the pulpits of congregations fills us older-timers with a sense of hope for the future. The church really is the Body of Christ. It really doesn't belong to those of us who have been its guardians for a few years. The emerging leaders of today are bright and spiritually-minded. It is true they do not have our experience; but, neither do they tote our baggage. They bring fresh insights for a new days.
A measure of peace comes to us in knowing that the church of Jesus Christ—for which we have given the better portion of our lives—will be preserved and protected, challenged and charged on the human level by those being called by God to the task. I reflect on Mark's training at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (M.Div.) and Duke Divinity School (Th.M.) and observe that his wife, Victoria, matches him degree for degree. They both have had award-winning sermons published. It is a new era. I think of young and recently married Elizabeth Rickert Dowdy, who serves as the pastor of two churches in James River Association. A graduate of the Jepson School of Leadership at the University of Richmond and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Although some in all sincerity question that woman can serve in such a capacity, it seems to me the effectiveness of Elizabeth's ministry and the sincerity of her love for her people provide undeniable witness to her testimony of God's call. Times may be changing but there is peace in knowing God is still in control.
We, who can see the finish line, are discovering the joy with which Paul wrote, “I am being poured out like a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand,” observing as he did so that God was preparing young Timothy to carry on.
And love? Sunday afternoon I reflected on the years I have known Mark, first as his pastor during his growing-up years and later as his friend. I also observed the easy manner in which Mark and Victoria opened themselves and their precious little four-month-old Ava to the promise of loving relationships with God's people.
Contrary to what some of you may expect from reading this, I am not preparing to resign or die. I am simply reflecting on the grace and goodness of God as he reveals himself during the Advent season through the attributes of hope, peace, joy and love.
And while it is appropriate to reflect on the coming generation with gratitude to God for their call, it is surely fitting to give solemn thought to those who have gone before—for those who have prepared the way. As Fred Anderson reminds us in each issue, we are indebted to the sacrifices and faithfulness of our spiritual ancestors.
And for those of us who are somewhere between the start and finish lines? The words of Paul ring with special clarity: “Don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort” (1 Corinthians 15:58, The Message).
Especially during this season of the year, I wish for us all the hope, peace, joy and love that are ours through Jesus Christ, our Lord.