A Race Well Run

 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (ESV)

Paul’s words also apply to Pastor Donald Stock, who is retiring after 32 years in the pastoral ministry, the last twenty of which were spent serving my congregation. It is his second career but his longest one, and he has been a dedicated pastor.

As a minister’s daughter, I’m well aware that pastors aren’t perfect, but Pastor Stock has run the race well in spite of it.

Pastor Stock and I fully agree on the major tenets of Christianity—those confessed in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds and that Christ is the only way to God—but we don’t always agree on lesser theological issues. That’s never changed his love for me as a member of the body of Christ, and I really appreciate his ministry to our congregation and the wider church body.

Retirement doesn’t mean being put out to pasture, though. Or, if it does, the pasture can be a beautiful one. I took the photo at the Pololu Valley Lookout on the big island of Hawaii many years ago. Although the horse is resting in the picture, he had plenty of room to run and even to gallop. If I know Pastor Stock as well as I think I do, he will continue to serve where needed. Although I’m not sure he’s even capable of slowing down, hopefully he will turn his gallop into a trot.

Pastor Stock still has more of the course to run before his race is over. But when it is, I expect him to be able to say with Paul that he has finished his course and the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

God’s blessings to Pastor and to Beth in his retirement.