OPINION: Giving honor where honor is due
Some of life’s greatest gifts are the people God puts in your path.
More than a quarter century ago, I met Lee and Lili when they were students at Union University. Some of my fondest memories of that time include Lili rolling our yard on a Halloween night. Also, l once roomed with Lee on a trip to Costa Rica where we talked late into the night as he peppered me with questions about whether Lili was the One. Now I say with a smile on my face…yes, she is. She sure is.
On a recent Sunday night, our church gathered to celebrate Lee Tankersley’s 25th anniversary as pastor. In today’s society, a pastor staying at a church for 25 years is indeed rare. Moreover, the genuine respect and love that the church has for Lee and that he has for the church is nothing less than extraordinary. It’s sublime. I’ll even say it is supernatural. Cornerstone Community Church is loved well and loves its pastor with a deep love that I have never seen before and do not have the words to describe.
The church called Lee as pastor when he was only a college student. From a small band of about 40 believers to the seat-saving crowd of more than 400 who gathers today, Lee has faithfully proclaimed God’s Word and loved God’s people. During those 25 years, he married Lili, had four children (including adopting from Russia), and eventually earned a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Lee and Lili’s kids are my kids’ ages, and it has been one of the most profound gifts to share our lives together. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." When Amy and I think about this verse, we think about Lee and Lili.
The Bible tells us, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching" (1 Timothy 5:17). That night, we sought to do that. The double honor we attempted to show was represented in one way by the double-bladed push mower he now calls his own. I’ll never forget that mower being pushed down the aisle! That Sunday night, there were also many belly laughs mixed with profound tears as brothers and sisters stood up and spoke heartfelt words about what Lee and Lili mean to them.
I have lived long enough to see that an unapproachable line between ecclesiastical leaders and the people of their churches often exists. Some encourage pastors and their wives to “maintain a professional distance” from those in their congregations. “Don’t get too close” they say. Those who subscribe to this philosophy are nice people who attend nice churches with nice buildings and have nice pastors. It can be nice, but it’s hollow.
I reject this way of operating. It’s plastic and disingenuous. It is not supposed to be this way. The Bible shows that church leaders are to have genuine and deep relationships with those in their churches. In addition, members are to have genuine and deep relationships with one another. The church is a genuine community of real and imperfect people who are pursuing Christ together. The church is far from perfect, but we love each other and we sure are trying to live according to the Bible.
JC Ryle said “The ‘means of grace’ are such as Bible reading, private prayer, and regularly worshiping God in church, wherein one hears the Word taught and participates in the Lord’s Supper. I lay it down as a simple matter of fact that no one who is careless about such things must ever expect to make much progress in sanctification.” Lee, thanks for helping us grow in sanctification.
Lee could have moved “up” the “ecclesiastical ladder,” whatever that means. He could pastor a bigger and more fancy church. He could have a career as a professor in any college or seminary. Instead, he has chosen to be in Jackson, Tennessee and pastor the group of people who now meet together on Pipkin Road. I join a chorus of people who are forever grateful.
God caused our paths to cross. He is allowing us to journey together toward that heavenly city. We are living this life together. We will die together. We will be raised to new life together.
Praise be to our great God.
Todd E. Brady serves as Staff Chaplain and Advanced Funeral Planner at Arrington Funeral Directors. He and his wife, Amy have five sons. You may write to him at tbrady@afgemail.net.
