Thursday night was a night of reflection for me. We attended a dinner and service to honor our Bishop, Richard Snyder,who is retiring this year.

After the dinner I came home and flipped on the tube to watch some “put me to sleep” TV. I came across the Billy Graham library being dedicated. (read about it here).

It has been an honor to serve under Bishop Snyder. It has also been a wonderful experience to be alive during Billy Graham’s ministry tenure. Someday people will reflect  on both of these men and the enduring results of their ministry. Someday I will be able to say, “I served under one and was able to watch and listen to the other.” This is a great time for a young pastor.

As I reflected on these two men I noted some similarities.

• Both men are humble men. Both of them reflected the praise and honor back to God.

• Both men are visionary men. Both have taken some extreme steps of faith and consequently have been culture changers!

• Both men have been faithful to one woman for all of their married lives. They have illustrated faithful commitment and modeled what it looks like to be a good husband.

• Both men have children who are proud of them. They put “faces” to this verse.

• Both men are quick to admit mistakes.

• Both men are simple but divinely chosen and blessed (i.e. anointed) communicators. I have listened to both men preach multiple times, and am always amazed. Neither is a “brilliant” communicator, yet when they speak it’s as if you can’t quit listening. I believe this is a result of much time spent with God in prayer and a willingness to simply be a conduit for the message of God. (On a personal note, I’d rather be anointed than brilliant.)

A prayer:

God, may this kind of man/leader/pastor not be uncommon in this world. Raise up a new tribe of godly, competent leaders like Richard Snyder and Billy Graham for your honor in this world. Amen