By Jim White
The white frame church building sitting just off Highway 11 in Greenville was filled with members and friends who gathered on Sunday afternoon, June 26, to honor Francis Funk's 50th anniversary as pastor of Greenville Baptist.
In staying a full half-century, he has bested by 10 times the average pastoral tenure among Southern Baptists. To commemorate the day, church members went all out in planning a celebration service that highlighted the accomplishments of the church through those years followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
At a time when many churches are feuding with their pastors, this church is hoping Brother Funk will continue, even though he has long since passed the age he could retire. The secret of their healthy relationship may have been revealed in their words of appreciation. One after another, church members rose to share some memory: “He drove to Tennessee to attend my daughter's wedding.” “When we had a death in the family, he was there.” “By the time the family got to the hospital Brother Funk had already been there.”
From life-long members and new-comers alike the theme was consistent: When they had a need, he was there. Fellow pastors picked up the chorus: “When my first wife died of cancer, Francis was there for me. He didn't try to explain anything, he was just there.” Another confided, “Francis and I have been a part of an informal group of pastors that get together every so often to encourage each other. He has always been there when I had a need.”
When Funk finally had an opportunity to respond, he did so with humor and grace. “The thing that has been most challenging in the ministry is having to sit through so many meetings-like the one you are having to sit through now. Some of those meetings I remember were almost like having a toothache. At one time I thought I would simply say, ‘Thank-you‚' and let it go at that. But you are too important for that. Although I did two summer pastorates, you were my first church.”
From a ministerial point of view, what is even more amazing than his 2,600 Sundays as pastor of the Greenville church is the same number of Mondays. Francis and his wife, Audrey, laugh at the thought. “Well,” says Francis, “we just couldn't agree to leave on any particular Monday. Those times I was discouraged and wanted to leave, she encouraged me to stay, and vice versa.”
Meanwhile, the congregation hopes the Monday never comes when he and Audrey decide to step down.
Jim White is editor and business manager of the Religious Herald.