HOW TO TORTURE A FORMER PASTOR

The young preacher and the older preacher 

I am sure that growing old has its' benefits but I can't remember any of them just now.  As a matter of fact, I am finding it increasingly difficult to remember much of anything these days.  I never was very good with names but now....forget it!  That's why I think it borders on the definition of torture not to provide name tags at reunions!

It was a great idea hatched  by a layman to reunite people who attended the First Church of the Nazarene in Westland, Michigan.  People from the 1970s and 1980s were invited and over 60 managed to find their way to the occasion.   They visited, ate fried chicken and all the sides, looked at old pictures, talked about the way it used to be, laughed, cried, and worshiped together.

The meeting was held in the building that used to house the Westland congregation.  And I have to admit that it was good to see folks I hadn't seen in decades.  Problem was....I couldn't remember their names and there were no name tags.  Thus, began the uncomfortable repeating of the words no one likes to here; "I don't remember your name!"

The building is now owned by another denominational group but there were a couple of reminders of the past that brought back memories.   A few Nazarene Hymnals could be found on the platform and the giant pastor's chair ("The Throne") sat discarded in an empty Sunday School room.  Most of the reminders, however, came from the testimonies shared during our worship time together.

Middle aged men told of how they could remember particular sermons I preached way back then ("Better To Be Swallowed By A Whale Then To Be Nibbled To Death By Minnows"). One talked about getting kicked out of school on a Friday for "language" issues, my preaching on Sunday about controlling the tongue, and his hitting the altar (He is now a key layman at Indianapolis First Nazarene.  Many kind words were shared although I believe some were mistakenly credited to me that should have gone to another pastor.  Hey, I'll take what I can get.

Overall it was a good day.  It reminded me that ministry has been good to me and that sometimes I have been good for ministry.  It reminded me that while the past is great, the present is where we live, and the future is where we are headed.  We look back for foundation and strength, we run the race daily, and we look toward a future where THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Now if I could just remember where I.................  I can't even remember what I can't remember.  Can't wait for that great Heavenly reunion where name tags won't be necessary.  See ya there and I'll call ya by name (I hope)