As the doors slowly close on the end of era of Christian witness and ministry at this corner of the world in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania USA,
another era ends as well.
On a personal level I have always considered it to be a privilege to serve this congregation through the years.
I remember quite vividly the conversation I had that day in November of 1989.
The Moderator of the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry called to tell me of an “opportunity” she would like for me to consider.
For several years I had served churches in an “interim” basis when they were in between installed pastors. (At one point, I could calculate that I had preached from 43 different pulpits.)
“Our Christ Church in Drexel Hill is in a stress situation,” she said.
“They figure they have finances for six months.”
“Would you consider a contact with them for only 6 months?”
As we say, the rest is now history.
Neither I nor the church had any inkling that we would be in a relationship for 24 years!
24 years is a long time in the life a church – and in the life of a pastor.
In its 87 year history, Christ Church has had seven installed pastors:
The Reverend Doctor W.C. Davidson,
The Reverend Doctor Richard Graves,
The Reverend Doctor Ferdimore E. Vogan,
The Reverend Doctor George Munro,
The Reverend John Harvey,
The Reverend Kevin Yoho,
and me.
And, of them all, I have served this church the longest.
If anyone had attended all the services over those 24 years, they would have heard over 1150 sermons! Fortunately, no one has done so.
Over 1150 times the words “You are forgiven!” have rung from the rafters - (one of the most awesome opportunities I have had).
Over 15,000 prayers have been prayed.
And the Lord’s Supper was observed 144 times - to countless numbers of people in church and by their sides in homes or hospitals.
Some 55 people chose to become a member of our church.
Of course, there were over 120 funerals, as well.
And, probably, just as many weddings.
And infant baptisms - (just 5 or 6 years ago we had over 8 children here under the age of 4!)
At coffee hour one Sunday, one young father looked around at all the babies and declared, “Look here, we’re starting our own congregation!”
There are a lot of memories over 24 years.
Memories which affected me greatly and will continue to have impact the rest of my life.
Indeed, I consider myself most fortunate to have spent the past 24 years in ministry with this congregation;
and never more so than when Suzanne became so ill and required so much of my time seeing to her needs.
So, the church doors close after 87 years of ministry and witness to Christ here in Drexel Hill,
and so shall my active ministry come to an end after 43 years of trying to be faithful to Christ’s calling in many many different venues over the years.
Just as many of you in Christ Church are wondering “What’s next for me?”, I have no idea what’s next for me.
I certainly don’t feel that I am ready for the pasture just yet.
And, I’ll bet it won’t be too long before I hear those words again, “Clyde, I have an opportunity I would like for you to consider.”
Clyde
