{"id":30533,"date":"2023-10-12T15:14:46","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T21:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=30533"},"modified":"2024-05-23T13:31:45","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T19:31:45","slug":"they-finished-well","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/they-finished-well\/","title":{"rendered":"They Finished Well"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three influential Christian leaders\u2014reflecting on their lives and legacies<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019m told that the ancient Olympic Games included a race in which the prize was given, not to the runner who got to the finish line first, but rather to the one who finished with his torch still lit.<\/p>\n

This speaks to the goal of the Christian race\u2014getting to the finish line with Jesus\u2019 light in us still burning brightly with reputation still intact, testimony still strong.<\/p>\n

This is especially important for Christian leaders whose torch lights the way for other runners, and so far in 2023, several have crossed the line. I would like to call attention to three of them.<\/p>\n

These 3 Men Trusted God<\/h3>\n

In early January, Jack Hayford<\/a>, longtime pastor of Church on the Way<\/a> in Van Nuys, California, author of \u201cMajesty\u201d and hundreds of other worship songs, and the fourth president of the Foursquare<\/a> denomination, died at age 88.<\/p>\n

In mid-April, Charles Stanley<\/a>, the influential Baptist pastor and televangelist who preached from his Atlanta pulpit for more than 50 years, died at age 90.<\/p>\n

Then in early May, Tim Keller<\/a>, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, and co-founder of the Gospel Coalition<\/a>, died at the age young 72, ending his battle with pancreatic cancer.<\/p>\n

These men represent different theological constructs, pursued different ministry callings, and left behind different accomplishments, but shared a common motivation and passion. They trusted God with abandon and had an uncommon capacity for seizing every opportunity to advance the cause of the gospel.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”They trusted God with abandon and had an uncommon capacity for seizing every opportunity to advance the cause of the gospel. \u2013 Whaid Rose” via=”no”]<\/p>\n

Jack Hayford<\/h3>\n

So, for a quick review, we begin with Pastor Jack Hayford. His influence increased as his small Southern California congregation grew into a mega-church during an era when mega-churches weren\u2019t as common. Not only so, but it became known as the \u201cchurch of the stars\u201d as Hollywood celebs came to faith through Hayford\u2019s ministry and made Church on the Way their home.<\/p>\n

But what marked Hayford\u2019s preaching and teaching and most endeared him to the church-at-large, was his charismatic style coupled with compelling biblical scholarship. Thus, in its 2005 front-page article on Jack Hayford, Christianity Today<\/em> dubbed him \u201cThe Pentecostal Gold Standard.\u201d <\/em>That \u201che uncomplicated the Holy Spirit\u201d <\/em>is one of the greatest compliments to Jack Hayford.<\/p>\n

He was also a bridge-builder among churches and denominations, charismatics and non-charismatics alike. A worshipper at heart, he gave the Body of Christ numerous worship songs including \u201cMajesty.\u201d He leaves behind an archive of books, sermons, radio and television broadcasts, and deep friendships throughout the body of Christ.<\/p>\n

He demonstrated what Matt Redman calls (in his book on worship) \u201cthe gentle persuasion of authority,\u201d whereby he commanded the respect of many, even his detractors. Pastor Jack, as he was affectionately called, was \u201cthe gold standard\u201d in so many ways.<\/p>\n

Charles Stanley<\/h3>\n

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the country, a bold and dynamic leader was making his mark. His name was Charles Stanley, the fundamentalist Baptist preacher who distinguished himself as a faithful and passionate preacher of the Word of God.<\/p>\n

His pulpit was at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, from which he preached for more than 50 years! Stepping onto the stage each week with Bible in hand and preaching without notes made him a staple, not only for his vast congregation, but for millions who tuned into his television broadcast.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been noted, that though he had an earned doctorate, Charles Stanley never wore his theology on his sleeves. Instead, he focused his preaching on the practical aspects of the Christian life, modeling a close walk with God in prayer as the secret to victorious living.<\/p>\n

A 2010 Lifeway Research survey rated him the third most influential Protestant pastor in America, behind Billy Graham and Chuck Swindoll. But in my estimation, the most telling commentary on the life of Charles Stanley relates to an incident that happened early in his ministry.<\/p>\n

A Defining Moment<\/h3>\n

During a church business meeting, the ringleader of a power group opposed to Stanley\u2019s leadership of First Baptist reached back and smacked him hard in the jaw! Stanley stumbled backward, then after regaining his composure, stepped back beside his opponent and stood there without saying a word.<\/p>\n

That was a defining moment, not only for Stanley himself but for his son Andy, who was only 13 at the time and had a front-row view of the incident. By Andy\u2019s own account, \u201cIt was in that moment that my father became my hero.\u201d<\/p>\n

That is high praise, indeed. It says more about Charles Stanley\u2019s character than his 50-year tenure as pastor of one church, the fact that he was once president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the many books he wrote, or his founding of a radio and television ministry through which his sermons have gone around the globe in more than 100 languages!<\/p>\n

It also bears mentioning that Stanley\u2019s legacy includes several influential leaders who grew up in his congregation, including Louie Giglio and Andy Stanley, now among the nation\u2019s most influential pastors. It\u2019s true: \u201cWe teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Tim Keller<\/h3>\n

Then there was Timothy Keller, a young seminary graduate with a burden to plant a church in, of all places, New York\u2019s lower Manhattan. Keller was a Presbyterian and envisioned a local church rooted in the Reformed tradition with a contemporary flavor and a heart for reaching the unchurched in the inner city, especially young professionals and skeptics.<\/p>\n

In God\u2019s good grace, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, founded by Keller and his wife Kathy in 1989, quickly grew to become one of New York City\u2019s leading churches\u2014and Keller, one of the nation\u2019s most influential pastors.<\/p>\n

Keller, too, didn\u2019t wear his theology on his sleeves, but rather focused on people\u2019s practical needs and devoted his intellectual ability, of which he was extraordinarily endowed, to answering objections to Christianity, with what has been described as \u201cwinsome apologetics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim Keller\u2019s Legacy<\/h3>\n

He wrote multiple bestselling books, including Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.<\/em> He inspired many to become involved in urban ministry, and to pour energy and resources into planning inner-city churches. He launched a church-planting network (Redeemer City to City<\/a>) and co-founded The Gospel Coalition<\/em>, a movement of diverse Christians seeking to support the local church by creating timely and trusted resources centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

But as Mike Cosper notes in his recent CT tribute to Tim Keller, \u201cEvery leader\u2019s legacy deserves reflection, of course, and no one lives out his or her public life with a perfect record.\u201d Cosper explained, \u201cFew people were as capable as [Keller] of provoking scorn, as his work and witness seemed equally offensive to both ends of the political, theological, and ideological spectra.\u201d<\/p>\n

That is probably due to Keller\u2019s out-of-the-box thinking on some of the religious and political hot buttons. It\u2019s been said of him that \u201cHe believed that everyone deserved to be heard and was uniquely able to learn from people with whom he had little in common. He relished spending time with people opposed to his views.\u201d<\/p>\n

One Final Testimony<\/h3>\n

It therefore came as no surprise (to me, at least) that his memorial service was held at St. Patrick\u2019s Cathedral. I suspect that none of Redeemer\u2019s multi-campus sites was sufficient to facilitate the large crowd, so St. Patrick opened its doors, reflecting the close relationship Keller fostered with Catholics in his community.<\/p>\n

The service, carefully scripted by Keller himself, featured five hymns that chronicle the Christian journey from sinfulness to redemption to resurrection and glory. One wonders what Cardinal Dolan, who not only welcomed the crowd, but sat through the entire service, was thinking as the congregation rousingly sang Charles Wesley\u2019s Amazing Love<\/em> (And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior\u2019s love)?<\/p>\n

If walls could talk, St. Patrick\u2019s sweeping arches may have said to one another \u201cwe\u2019ve never heard anything like this before!\u201d Turning his funeral service into one final testimony to the gospel was a stroke of brilliance, which was so Tim Keller.<\/p>\n

It turns out that of these three men, Keller was the most effective in engaging the secular mind with the gospel, as tributes and remembrances pour in from publications such as the New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, etc., all to the glory of God!<\/p>\n

God Gave Them Uncommon Strength<\/h3>\n

Scripture tells us that \u201cThe eyes of the LORD run throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him\u201d (<\/em>2 Chronicles 16:9). In Jack Hayford, Charles Stanley, and Timothy Keller, God found such servants and gave them uncommon strength.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”In Jack Hayford, Charles Stanley, and Timothy Keller, God found such servants and gave them uncommon strength. \u2013 Whaid Rose” via=”no”]<\/p>\n

Obviously, so much more could be said of them, and others could be mentioned, including Pat Robinson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Regent University, and the American Center for Law and Justice, who also died in early June at age 93.<\/p>\n

But this selection is sufficient to stir our hearts regarding living and finishing well, about walking closely with God and serving Him with passion, about matters of character and integrity, about what Eugene Peterson called \u201ca long obedience in the same direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Theological Training Played a Key Role<\/h3>\n

Furthermore, my work with Artios Christian College compels me to call attention to the key role theological training played in shaping these men. All three went to seminary in their formative years, and Hayford\u2019s last big effort, while still in his prime, was founding what is now the King\u2019s University. It is no doubt a reflection of the value he placed on theological training and ministry preparation.<\/p>\n

I should add that the one decision, which I made as a young man, that has most shaped my life\u2014after my decisions to follow Jesus and to marry Marjolene\u2014was to apply myself to theological training.<\/p>\n

Now, almost four decades later, my conviction concerning the value of robust theological training has only grown stronger, and I consider being associated with a ministry of this sort in this season of my life to be a tremendous blessing.<\/p>\n

And for the sake of clarity, let me emphasize that theology is for everyone, not just seminary students, and that Artios exists to equip all the saints for the work of the ministry, not just those wanting to be pastors. If you would like to deepen your understanding of God\u2019s Word and experience deep discipleship, your friendly Artios team is just a phone call or email away.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”Theology is for everyone, not just seminary students. \u2013 Whaid Rose” via=”no”]<\/p>\n

They Walked Closely with God<\/h3>\n

Finally, it bears repeating that all three men walked closely with God. Hayford continually called believers to a life of worship and prayer, to walk in what he called \u201ckingdom authority.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stanley spent so much time on his knees that he was dubbed \u201cthe mystic Baptist\u201d in a 2013 CT interview. His whole life was driven by his mantra, \u201cObey God and leave all the consequences to Him.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Being a Presbyterian, Keller was unique in his piety. I just finished reading his book titled Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God<\/em><\/a>, which I highly recommend.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the takeaway? Why this article? Why pay so much attention to such men?<\/p>\n

Suffice it to say, in addition to acquainting a younger generation with these spiritual titans, it is to cast the maxim that \u201cleadership is influence\u201d in real life examples.<\/p>\n

Each of Us Is a Vital Link in a Chain<\/h3>\n

It is to remind us that we stand on the shoulders of many gone before us, that each of us is a vital link in a chain that connects faith to faith. And to convince us that our lives can count for something bigger than ourselves.<\/p>\n

For personal application, watch a good funeral; I never miss an opportunity; it\u2019s how I realign my heart. Also make a list of the people who\u2019ve most impacted your life and thank God for them. Then ask yourself whose life you\u2019re impacting and what will people say when you cross the line? Doing so will provide fresh energy and inspiration for finishing well.<\/p>\n

And how grateful we are to Pastor Jack, to Dr. Stanley, and to Tim Keller, for their example, for finishing with their torch still lit, reminding us that doing so is well within our reach.<\/p>\n

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