Do not be afraid of hard work for Christ; a terrible reckoning awaits those who have an easy time in the ministry, but a great reward is in reserve for those who endure things for the elect's sake.– Charles Spurgeon
We spent the entire summer at our summer place. It felt great to sit next to Jane in the pew on Sundays, something that had not happened over my career as a minister, the last 14 years of which were spent at Knox, Wallaceburg, Ont. Retirement is a wonderful invention. It gives the ability to enjoy the things we never had time for before. With all the extra time at our hands we looked for a place to volunteer and help out. We began working two mornings a week at the London Food Bank, a busy place serving about 2,500 families a month. Jane worked at the reception desk and I interviewed the clients and set up profiles on the computer. I enjoy meeting people and this gave us an opportunity to practice what we preach. At times it was heartbreaking to listen to the people in need of help. And there were calls to do some pulpit supply in the London Presbytery. Jane got involved in music and teaching courses.
But then, I received a phone call from a minister in the presbytery telling me that he was leaving the two-point charge he was serving and asking if I could preach there for four weeks. It is the task of the minister who is leaving to find supply for about a month until presbytery has appointed an interim moderator. It worked out just fine so I agreed and was glad to oblige. At the invitation of the interim moderator, Rev. Amanda Birchall, we agreed to continue to supply the pulpit until a new minister was inducted. It took about 45 minutes from our home in London to arrive at the first church for the 9:30 a.m. service. The second church is at 11 a.m. Both congregations were very caring and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. After supplying the pulpit for about 15 months, it became evident that finding a full-time minister for a rural charge was not an easy task. Although we were not involved with anything but preaching, it was not all that difficult to notice the frustration. Although the thought had never crossed our minds, we began to wonder if God was telling us something. At first I kept thinking that I was imagining it. "No way would God want us to be involved."
After all, we were retired. We began to pray that God would give us the answer needed and it came. We spoke to the interim moderator and met with the search committee. We shared with them our thoughts. We agreed that the call would be on a part-time basis for two years. It would give all of us time to re-evaluate the future of the charge and make some plans together. The presbytery agreed wholeheartedly with the proposal and it felt good to sense a strong and prayerful support for the task I never planned for.
Although I found it difficult to believe this was really happening, I felt encouraged in the words of the Apostle Paul, "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be proclaimed. To Him be the glory forever and ever." (II Timothy: 4)
Through God's grace we have discovered that the gifts we receive do not retire and have learned that we are called to use them when given the opportunity. We have also discovered that there seems to be a new sense of enthusiasm in the two-point charge and that being retired is no hindrance to serving with God's people in His church. The words of Charles Spurgeon have become clear too. Coming out of retirement is teaching me all over again that we are challenged in the service of Christ for the sake of those in need to be brought to the cross. I guess I am a student all over again.
