The loss of a friend and colleague

 Larry Mason served as the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky until his retirement a few years ago. He was largely responsible for me being selected for the position of Area Minister. He had invited me to serve in the interim role in that capacity while the Region looked for a permanent person, and when that search process began he encouraged me to apply. Frankly, I didn't think I had the normal qualifications for the position, but I was the one the Region Board selected. It was my joy to work alongside Larry until his retirement, and it was during that time together that we became friends. Larry passed away earlier this week.

I often hear bivocational ministers complain that they receive little to no support from their denominational leaders. Many of them have commented that they wished they had the support I had throughout my ministry. One reason I had that support was because of Larry Mason. He recognized that our Region was made up largely of smaller churches that would need bivocational leadership, and he saw the value in such leadership. Although I did not have the usual education and experience other Regions expect of their Area Ministers, I had spent 20 years serving as a bivocational pastor, and Larry wanted that experience on our staff. He wanted our small church leaders to have a voice in our Region, and he allowed me to be that voice.

Over the years I had numerous invitations to speak to various denominational gatherings in the US and Canada. Larry encouraged me to accept all of them. One organization invited me to join their speaker's bureau, and when I talked to Larry about it he encouraged me to do so if I felt inclined. He said to me at the time that there was no one else he knew who was doing the things I was doing, and he was not going to prevent me from doing the ministry God had given me.

When my father passed away Larry was there. When our family had to sell our business at an auction, Larry came down to support me during a very difficult time in my life. Every month we met for lunch so he could see how I was doing. Once or twice a year we played a round of golf together.

Larry was a true gentleman and a man of God. He loved the Lord, and he loved ministry. He encouraged more than one person to consider entering the ministry, and those who listened have enjoyed very productive ministries. He also loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible.

I realize that I would not have achieved the things in ministry I have without Larry Mason's support over the years. As the old country saying goes, "If you see a turtle on a fence post you know it didn't get there by itself." Larry helped this old turtle get on the fence post as he did many others. I pray that I can follow his example. He lived a life well-lived and is now enjoying all God has prepared for him.