I’m writing from Sydney, Australia where I just finished eight days of teaching and am anxious to get home tomorrow.
Had a great time with some very nice people but one thing caught my attention—I was described as “A much older man.” Truth is, “I am,” or at least I’m in the process.
One of my friends emailed me that these young guys had described me as an old guy on their website. He sent the email as a joke. Well, being the vain person that I am, I went to the site and found some very nice things they had to say about me. If I weren’t so humble I’d send you a link to their site.
The person who wrote the blurb was advertising an evening I would spend with about 30 young guns who are in process of launching new churches. His point was that while there are several strong new church planting movements growing in the world, none have the experience of several generations of churches multiplied. In other words, the “older man” thing was a compliment. I’ve been around the block and learned some things along the way.
While it is true that my bones creak in the mornings it is also true that a certain amount of wisdom comes along with age on your body. Experience is a beautiful thing, which brings me to the sadder part of this little story.
Just prior to jumping on the plane for Oz I was informed that one of my oldest friends and strongest disciples had announced to his wife and church that he was throwing them over for a younger woman. Needless to say, I took that as a personal kick in the gut.
Worse, the guy was scheduled to travel with us on this trip, so the Aussies noticed his absence. In the interest of openness, I shared what had happened as a part of the seminar—I did it with purpose . . .
I wanted those men and women to realize that there will be failures along the way, including moral failures. Also wanted to point out that this man’s sin in no way negates the good he did prior to taking a fall. Finally, I wanted them to know that I know that the sun will still rise tomorrow morning—the world goes on. It is in times like this that the experience of years helps a person to understand both the faithfulness of God and the indestructible nature of his Kingdom.
We’ve been over this bridge before and may cross this way again sometime in the future. But we are not and will not be defeated. My former disciple’s church and family are standing strong. They will prevail. Unfortunately, some outside those immediately involved are offering comfort without requiring repentance. They anger me because they are actually working against repentance. But we’ll get through that as well.
Years can be destructive to our bodies, but in most ways they are good to our hearts. I know because I am “A much older man . . .”
14 responses so far ↓
1 joe gomes // Sep 23, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Excellent word, Old Man! We”ll pray for your friend and the affected, his repentance, and for even more faith in God’s love for us and his enduring Kingdom — especially when moral failure rocks our world.
2 R. Correa // Sep 23, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Good wisdom and encouragement coming from “A much older man….” Good to hear so many young ones chomping at the bit to get out there and plant churches.
3 John Izumi // Sep 23, 2009 at 4:33 pm
When I heard, it hit me in the gut also. My wife and I are praying for them and their church. I am praying for your safe return and Gods wisdom to temper your years.
4 Dan McClintock // Sep 23, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Ralph,
We ‘young guns’ greatly appreciated hearing the thoughts of a much older man
Thanks for your time.
5 Jesse & Jessica Cupp // Sep 23, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Your awesome Pastor Ralph! Love & miss you!
6 Evangelist Edna Shell // Sep 23, 2009 at 6:57 pm
God Bless you Pastor Ralph, us older men and women are required to make sure we pass on some of this wisdom that we have earned and learned that has not only made us Older men and Women but also WISER Men and Women.
Welcome Home.
7 Barney & Reenie McKeague // Sep 23, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Greetings Pastor Ralph,
We too felt the pain and began praying immediately for you and them and his family and church - we are still praying — reading about it again brings back the tears. He was someone we liked to brag about. We’d like to kick him in the pants!! Your blog helps.
See you soon.
8 connie // Sep 23, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I am, thus far, the oldest member of our new church plant-”Aloha Chapel Hilo”. But, as I told my wonderful young Pastor and his wife, I probably wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for the zeal and energy of their teen and college aged kids…hey, hey!
Love and Miss you!
9 coreyg // Sep 24, 2009 at 7:14 am
Thank you, Ralph. I appreciate not just that you’ve been around the block, but more so WHAT you’ve been doing around the block. I also pray with you that our brother and your son in the faith would come to himself, bring forth fruits of repentance, and be restored to who he is intended to be in Christ.
10 Jack // Sep 24, 2009 at 8:20 am
Aloha Ralph
Thank you for your thoughts on this issue and how we should reflect on it.
11 Mike Kailing // Sep 24, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Aloha from Arizona, Ralph! Since I was born in the year 1946 myself, I will defend your position and right to speak from real life experience. If this will make you feel “younger”, I will be visiting my father, Robert W. Kailing, in Wisconsin in Nov’09 to celebrate his “90th” birthday. So, my “young” friend, you have many, many more miles to tread along life’s paths before leaving for heaven. Stick around…we need you !!
12 Barbara Pace // Sep 25, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Hi Ralph, Re: “Unfortunately, some outside those immediately involved are offering comfort without requiring repentance. They anger me because they are actually working against repentance.. .” They don’t understand the steps necessary for a believer to turn back to the Lord after sinning against Him, and seemingly with no regard to all those he is hurting deeply. Comfort and restoration after repentance, not without repentance. . .
13 Victor Ching // Sep 30, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Your not old just mature. We need mature people like you, you’ve been a great mentor of mine even though I don’t attend your church. I listen to you everyday. Your partnering with God set me free, and 26 rental units latter I’m convinced its all his headaches and all. You don’t know how liberating it is for this mature man to know God gave it and can sustain it. Going to China on a mission trip to plant churches like you. With God on our team we cant lose. I saw you only once at Kahala Mall and you recommended a book to me. I’m living the bible now and fell the best in my 52 years as a Christian. Pray for the LORD of the harvest, the laborers are few and the harvest is truly great. Since my last trip to China last year over 200,000 people have been born. that itself is a task. Time to get serious church and grow. Its a spiritual war and the enemy is working 24 /7.
14 Donna Duemmel // Oct 13, 2009 at 2:21 am
Dear Ralph,
Where have the years gone? I look @ Carl(who looks like you then!) and can clearly remember first walking into Hope Chapel Hermosa in March, 1979,thinking, who is the cute guy with the surfer shirt on? I We thank Jesus for that day,esp after you baptized us and we ” renewed our vows” 1980.Years have past and thank the Lord you and your family are still pressing on!Hope to see you soon as our daughter is stationed there and heading to Iraq.We will pray for your friend.Love and blessings.
Chuck and Donna Duemmel
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