Thoughts on the OPC GA

The OPC GA was held at Sandy Cove Conference Center, approximately one hour from my home in Maryland. This is also the 75th anniversary of the OPC, so I thought I would attend the Sunday worship service of the GA. I had very little opportunities to interact with the members in attendance, but I was encouraged by one clear observation of those in attendance - the number of young pastors. Not having attended previous GA's, I have had little interaction with OPC members outside of the Mid-Atlanic presbytery. My impression of our church was that the majority are men nearing retirement. There were indeed many entering that stage of their service to the church, and I learned much in my brief time with them (they are like walking history textbooks of American Presbyterianism). But, again, I was encouraged to see the many young men - of whom I consider myself a part. It gave me a sense of hope and excitement for the OPC in the coming decades, but also a moment of pause to wonder if my generation will "fight the good fight" as our predecessors.

There were many of these young men whom I wanted to sit down over a cup of coffee and chat with, build relationships, share visions and dreams, discuss their views on the state of the church and thoughts on current theological and ecclessiological issues. There were so many older men, who had so much to share of the past applied to the present church. I hope to not lose their heritage. Although my time was limited, I realized that as I was leaving on that day that there were many new friendships to be made with a young and committed group of leaders to the cause of the Gospel of Christ. Exciting days await for the OPC in the century to come!

Farewell to my dear friend and mentor Allen Harris

Today, June 14, will be the last time that I see Pastor Allen Harris of Columbia Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Maryland. After 30+ years of fruitful pastoral ministry, he has retired and will be moving to Cape Cod to seek the Lord's will in the next stage of his life. God often brings people into our lives who make a significant impact on our growth. I can point to a few - most of whom were theologians of the past (e.g. J. Gresham Machen, Geerhardus Vos, Frances Turretin). Pastor Allen Harris was one who taught me to be a pastor. He was a mentor during the most formible times of my pastoral ministry and one that demonstrated the centrality of the Gospel in his life as well as in his preaching/teaching. He showed me how to handle adversity and come to a deeper understanding of both myself as well as the grace of God. His mannerism and values remain within me and directly impacted my ministry...yes, even to this day. He was a faithful preacher of the Word and regularly showed a confidence in Christ during the most difficult of situations. In that sense I came to appreciate how to trust (not just know) the sovereign power of our faithful God.

Moreso, I can call him a friend and his friendship has been a source of trememdous encouragement to me over the years. Knowing that he was around in the area always gave me a sense of stability. I always knew that I could come into his office for a work of advice and definitely prayer.

I thank the Lord for Allen and pray that the time he is away from this area will be short. I will miss our times of dreaming together, vision casting, hopes for the ministry in the church. I will miss his openness and intuitive insight, his ever stable faith in God in all circumstances. I will miss his instruction and his wisdom.

Farewell, my dear friend and mentor. I hope that I was as much of an encouragement to you as you have been to me. Let more times come where we can fellowship together!