Retiring Moderator’s Address
Dear Friends, “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that
you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11). How do I begin this Moderator’s final report to you? That question has been on my mind for some days
now. After much deliberation, it seems that there can be no more appropriate way than to borrow the Apostle Paul’s famous words in his final letter to his favorite church. From his Roman dungeon, Paul, who spent about one quarter of his ministry in a Roman jail cell, speaks with words of gratitude and tender hope. I can do no less and no more.
Gratitude Two years ago at the Synod meeting in Bonclarken (one of my favorite spots in all the world!), I was nomi-
nated as Moderator-elect. It was an action that brought tears to my eyes for I knew well then, as I know even better now, that there are many who are more capable and much more deserving of this honor. Last year’s Synod meeting in Pennsylvania confirmed the decision by electing me Moderator. With God’s help, I have tried to represent you well and lead you faithfully through what I suppose will be forever known as the year of the Coronavirus. The COVID-19 attack that touched every presbytery of our beloved ARP Church as well as every station where our people serve around the world has rushed an unfamiliar word into every day use. Pandemic! We use it ourselves and hear it daily in the media. It brought the plans of many of us to a screech- ing halt. To the Grandmother with whom I spoke earlier today, it brings tears as she thinks of grandchildren she has not visited in months now. Its impact has been felt in many ways throughout the church. It brought sickness into several of our congregations and agencies and tried to hinder our Gospel advances in more ways than most of us are aware of. Yet, having done its best, the Coronavirus pandemic could not stop us. Repeat- edly I have been inspired by the ways that our ARP local pastors and sessions have risen to the challenge to minister, worship, and be pastorally involved with our people. To God be the glory! Paul, in choosing these words for the Philippians, is quite certain he will never see them again. He expects to
die in prison for his part in advancing the Gospel. In that, I surely hope not to emulate him! By God’s grace, it is my hope and prayer that I shall be given more time among you to minister, preach, teach, and advance our church and our message to the best of my ability. Nonetheless, my prayer is the same as his: “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Loving Faith Paul prays for three things for his favorite people. I ask the same three things for you and then I dare to close
with a special charge that the Coronavirus stopped me from bringing to some of you this year. First, Paul prays for a loving faith: “I pray that your love may abound more and more.” Now, let’s be clear about this. Paul is not in prison for preaching sloppy agape! Sometimes love has to be tough and he was a master at tough lov- ing. Read his letters to the Romans, the Galatians, and the Corinthians (especially the second one) if you don’t believe that.
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