When I became a pastor several years ago, I quickly realized the dropout rate among pastors was high. Statistics vary, but in my own experience, I have known several pastors who left the ministry for one reason or another. We lament this loss, but we sometimes forget that some pastors have persevered for decades in ministry. My friend and mentor Dave Lewis is an example of that.
I got to know Dave through a mutual friend about six years ago. When we first met at a local McDonald’s, I decided to ask him how long he had been serving his church. I knew he had some miles in ministry under his belt, but I was stunned when he told me he had been pastoring his church for 64 years.
The world will remember June 2, 1953, as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. That same month, however, marked the start of Pastor Dave’s tenure at the Bald Eagle Alliance Church in central Pennsylvania. Few took notice as this small church “back in the woods” installed its new pastor.
For 30 years, the church was isolated, well off any main road. But in 1983, the congregation built a new church facility on PA Route 350. It has served them well for the last 40 years. Dave and his congregation have recently adopted a “goal” for their church: “To fill the building with people who seek God, find Him, and worship Him.”
Dave is a true shepherd. When I asked Dave about his church, he had nothing but good things to say. “They are the most loving and gracious people a pastor could ever ask for.” Even after all these years, there is still a deep affection between the pastor and his people.
Last year Dave contracted COVID. This illness significantly weakened his body. It was a long recovery, but God brought him through. I recently asked Dave if he has any retirement plans. “If I’m still here and the people continue to put up with me, I want to continue to minister. I’ll leave it in God’s hands.”
During one of our first conversations, I asked Dave what the secret of his longevity was. He answered, “The grace of God, the will of God, and the love of the people.” His simple answer hints at a profound truth. Such a long ministry was only possible through sustaining the grace of God.
Over the years, I have learned many things from Pastor Dave. Here are six lessons.
Even though he just turned 93, pastor Dave still has a fire in his belly that drives him to preach the gospel. I have only heard him preach once, but it was a solid exposition filled with gospel hope.
When we meet together, he either shares what he just preached or what he is preparing to preach. “Preaching the Word and exulting Jesus Christ is a wonderful blessing to me,” he said. “Even after all these years, it is still a joy to meet and give the Word of God each Sunday.”
When we talk, I get the impression that he can’t wait to share the riches he has discovered from his study of Scripture. Of late, Dave has been preaching through 1 John. “It’s marvelous,” he told me. “Count how many times the love of God and love for the brethren are mentioned in some form in this letter.”
Dave often tells me about the latest books he’s read and what they have taught him. Early in our friendship, Dave told me, “Read Bunyan, Newton, Spurgeon, and Tozer.” Pastor Dave is a voracious reader, and tends to read quite widely, but those are his favorite authors. On a couple occasions, I had the chance to peruse Dave’s library, and it was striking how few contemporary authors Dave reads. Like C.S. Lewis, Dave would caution against “chronological snobbery” and the notion that what is latest is the greatest. Every pastor should strive to supplement his time in the Word with good, solid books.
I asked about some of his highs and lows during his long ministry tenure. Dave pondered before answering, “Seeing youngsters grow up and serve the Lord has been a highlight for me.” Dave was echoing the words of the apostle John. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (spiritual children) are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). He said, “In every minister’s life, there will be challenging times, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will bring us through.”
I learned about the importance of healthy living the hard way a few years ago. The stress of ministry was really getting to me, and recreation and exercise had all but disappeared from my lifestyle. I ended up in the hospital with a very serious heart condition that took me almost a year to recover from.
Dave has always enjoyed a very active lifestyle. He played intramural basketball into his mid-60s and golfed well into his 80s. But Dave’s healthy, active lifestyle has always been of secondary concern. The Bible says, “while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Dave is a godly man, as well as a humble man. You might call Dave “old school,” but he is a true shepherd of souls and knows nothing of the self-promotion we often see today. When I shared that I was writing an article to commemorate this milestone, he said, “Keep it short, and give Jesus all the glory.”
When you meet Dave, it doesn’t take long to realize that he is a man deeply in love with Jesus. He often summarizes his doctrine in an old A.B. Simpson hymn: “All in all forever, Jesus will I sing, everything in Jesus and Jesus everything.” For 70 years, Dave has never deviated from preaching the gospel and exalting the risen Savior.
I estimate he has preached around 10,000 sermons to his congregation, not to mention countless sermons elsewhere. While Dave is not the longest-serving pastor in US history (the record is 76 years at one church), it is safe to say he has been faithful. God will have the final say in his ministry (2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 13:17), but his zeal, endurance, and piety are exceptionally rare. “My whole joy,” he said, “is loving my family, my church family, and preaching the Word of God.”
Few pastors will ever spend the entirety of their ministry at one church, much less a ministry this long. Dave Lewis is one of a kind, and I praise God for him.
Lessons From 15 Years of Pastoral Ministry
6 Reasons Pastors Should Consider a Sabbatical
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Preaching
The post <strong>6 Keys to Pastoral Longevity with Pastor Dave</strong> appeared first on Focus on the Family.
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I got to know Dave through a mutual friend about six years ago. When we first met at a local McDonald’s, I decided to ask him how long he had been serving his church. I knew he had some miles in ministry under his belt, but I was stunned when he told me he had been pastoring his church for 64 years.
The world will remember June 2, 1953, as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. That same month, however, marked the start of Pastor Dave’s tenure at the Bald Eagle Alliance Church in central Pennsylvania. Few took notice as this small church “back in the woods” installed its new pastor.
For 30 years, the church was isolated, well off any main road. But in 1983, the congregation built a new church facility on PA Route 350. It has served them well for the last 40 years. Dave and his congregation have recently adopted a “goal” for their church: “To fill the building with people who seek God, find Him, and worship Him.”
Dave is a true shepherd. When I asked Dave about his church, he had nothing but good things to say. “They are the most loving and gracious people a pastor could ever ask for.” Even after all these years, there is still a deep affection between the pastor and his people.
Last year Dave contracted COVID. This illness significantly weakened his body. It was a long recovery, but God brought him through. I recently asked Dave if he has any retirement plans. “If I’m still here and the people continue to put up with me, I want to continue to minister. I’ll leave it in God’s hands.”
During one of our first conversations, I asked Dave what the secret of his longevity was. He answered, “The grace of God, the will of God, and the love of the people.” His simple answer hints at a profound truth. Such a long ministry was only possible through sustaining the grace of God.
Over the years, I have learned many things from Pastor Dave. Here are six lessons.
1. The primacy of preaching
Even though he just turned 93, pastor Dave still has a fire in his belly that drives him to preach the gospel. I have only heard him preach once, but it was a solid exposition filled with gospel hope.
When we meet together, he either shares what he just preached or what he is preparing to preach. “Preaching the Word and exulting Jesus Christ is a wonderful blessing to me,” he said. “Even after all these years, it is still a joy to meet and give the Word of God each Sunday.”
When we talk, I get the impression that he can’t wait to share the riches he has discovered from his study of Scripture. Of late, Dave has been preaching through 1 John. “It’s marvelous,” he told me. “Count how many times the love of God and love for the brethren are mentioned in some form in this letter.”
2. Read good books
Dave often tells me about the latest books he’s read and what they have taught him. Early in our friendship, Dave told me, “Read Bunyan, Newton, Spurgeon, and Tozer.” Pastor Dave is a voracious reader, and tends to read quite widely, but those are his favorite authors. On a couple occasions, I had the chance to peruse Dave’s library, and it was striking how few contemporary authors Dave reads. Like C.S. Lewis, Dave would caution against “chronological snobbery” and the notion that what is latest is the greatest. Every pastor should strive to supplement his time in the Word with good, solid books.
3. Making disciples never gets old
I asked about some of his highs and lows during his long ministry tenure. Dave pondered before answering, “Seeing youngsters grow up and serve the Lord has been a highlight for me.” Dave was echoing the words of the apostle John. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (spiritual children) are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). He said, “In every minister’s life, there will be challenging times, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will bring us through.”
4. Healthy lifestyle
I learned about the importance of healthy living the hard way a few years ago. The stress of ministry was really getting to me, and recreation and exercise had all but disappeared from my lifestyle. I ended up in the hospital with a very serious heart condition that took me almost a year to recover from.
Dave has always enjoyed a very active lifestyle. He played intramural basketball into his mid-60s and golfed well into his 80s. But Dave’s healthy, active lifestyle has always been of secondary concern. The Bible says, “while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
5. Avoid self-exaltation
Dave is a godly man, as well as a humble man. You might call Dave “old school,” but he is a true shepherd of souls and knows nothing of the self-promotion we often see today. When I shared that I was writing an article to commemorate this milestone, he said, “Keep it short, and give Jesus all the glory.”
6. Cultivate a love for the Lord
When you meet Dave, it doesn’t take long to realize that he is a man deeply in love with Jesus. He often summarizes his doctrine in an old A.B. Simpson hymn: “All in all forever, Jesus will I sing, everything in Jesus and Jesus everything.” For 70 years, Dave has never deviated from preaching the gospel and exalting the risen Savior.
I estimate he has preached around 10,000 sermons to his congregation, not to mention countless sermons elsewhere. While Dave is not the longest-serving pastor in US history (the record is 76 years at one church), it is safe to say he has been faithful. God will have the final say in his ministry (2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 13:17), but his zeal, endurance, and piety are exceptionally rare. “My whole joy,” he said, “is loving my family, my church family, and preaching the Word of God.”
Few pastors will ever spend the entirety of their ministry at one church, much less a ministry this long. Dave Lewis is one of a kind, and I praise God for him.
Related:
Lessons From 15 Years of Pastoral Ministry
6 Reasons Pastors Should Consider a Sabbatical
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Preaching
The post <strong>6 Keys to Pastoral Longevity with Pastor Dave</strong> appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...