Where Are You Standing?

Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash

In 1675, Sir Isaac Newton said “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I am reminded every day, that any success in ministry that I have experienced is because of “the giants shoulders” that I have been standing on. Some have names that are easily remembered, others you have never heard of. My list of giants is too long for this brief article, so I’ll just introduce you to a few.

Sister Reeves and Sister Martin - These ladies were two of my boyhood Sunday School teachers. Through flannel graphs, hands on projects and speaking to my age level, they helped me fall in love with the Bible.

Walter Risner - He was our Sunday School Superintendent when I was a very young boy. Every Sunday morning before he turned the service over to our pastor, he would sit down at the baby grand piano to lead us all in singing “Oh, How I Love Jesus!” Through six decades, that song has got me through many tough times.

Kenneth Stephens - He came to be our pastor just as I turned 15 years old. I had been preaching one year. He was a model of pastoral care. He took a personal interest in me and spent time talking with me about ministry and modeling it before me. The seeds of any pastoral gifts I have were planted by this loving shepherd. James Slayton - This pastor first let me preach for him in Ennis, TX when I was 15. He always carried a tiny pocket size Bible, but he never looked at it. He could quote long passages of Scripture. He taught me the discipline and inspired me to memorize scripture.

Dr. Joseph Laing - Arriving at West Coast Bible College in the Fall of 1976, I was immediately introduced to this incredible, but not flashy, Christian giant. I took more classes from him than any other professor. He instilled in me the skills and values for teaching small groups. This has brought me some of my greatest joys in ministry.

Dr. Robert Crick - I was a 23 year old seminary student in Cleveland, TN. I had just got some devastating news that crushed me on multiple levels. I went straight to his office, told him what happened and laid down on his couch, crying and sobbing. He quietly listened to me and was just there for me. In the 40 years of ministry since then, I’ve learned that sometimes just being there is what comforts people most.

Bennie Triplett - For four and a half years I was honored to serve as his Youth and Christian Education Director in Southern Ohio. He was always dressed meticulously. His words were chosen carefully. He prepared for meetings and events with great detail. His spirit of excellence inspired me to always seek to give God and His people my very best.

Who are the spiritual giants in your life? Thank them! Celebrate them! Emulate them!