The late preacher Fred B. Craddock was a master of storytelling, as often evidenced in his sermons. One story he told arises from his own life, drawn from an experience years ago when he attended a meeting of scholars that happens each November. These joint meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion assemble what is most certainly the largest gathering in this country of academics teaching religion in seminaries and universities. (And their grand exhibition hall of books is surely a foretaste of heaven for religious bibliophiles….)
One year, as Craddock was walking around the convention center, he spotted a woman walking through the hallways with a large Bible in hand. She looked a frantic, anxious figure, out of place in the hustle and bustle of scholars hurrying from one meeting to the next.
Craddock stopped to talk with her, and he learned that she had come to the meeting to get help. She said, “I’ve wasted my life—I would like to be a Christian.” Craddock knew that she would not find the type of help she was searching for during these meetings geared more to the academic nature of the scholars at their work.
Craddock took her aside and for an hour spoke pastorally with her about being a Christian. He noted some places in the Bible she should read and then they parted ways.[1]
It does not sound like much, to sit and talk with somebody, yet if somebody had not stopped and answered your questions, or been willing to sit down and talk with you about faith, would you be here today? As we talk so often in the Baptist tradition of the importance of one’s personal accountability and choice (i.e., to say for ourselves that we wish to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior), we would be remiss if we did not give due credit to those who helped us with our faith journey. Our faith is to be handed down, to be engaged with thoughtful conversation. Conversation helps aid conversion!
In my own life: If it were not for Verna Foster, would I have learned my first stories about Jesus? A devout farm wife, Mrs. Foster felt strongly that the farm kids should have a Vacation Bible School offered. We were hopped up on Kool-Aid, yet those stories of Jesus walking on the water or gathering his faithful like a shepherd gathers his flock started there. It may not have sounded that impressive, yet the seeds were cast by a person faithful to what it means to be a Christian, one who shares the faith.
Think about your own story of why faith factors into your life. It is not necessarily a string of events “all about you.” One’s faith journey is graced by many persons who have shared the faith, explored questions with you, and wandered alongside you as we make our way through life where faith and doubt intertwine. Without them, would you have been encouraged to go on?
To read the entire article, click here
Photo by Josue Michel on Unsplash
The late preacher Fred B. Craddock was a master of storytelling, as often evidenced in his sermons. One story he told arises from his own life, drawn from an experience years ago when he attended a meeting of scholars that happens each November. These joint meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion assemble what is most certainly the largest gathering in this country of academics teaching religion in seminaries and universities. (And their grand exhibition hall of books is surely a foretaste of heaven for religious bibliophiles….)
One year, as Craddock was walking around the convention center, he spotted a woman walking through the hallways with a large Bible in hand. She looked a frantic, anxious figure, out of place in the hustle and bustle of scholars hurrying from one meeting to the next.
Craddock stopped to talk with her, and he learned that she had come to the meeting to get help. She said, “I’ve wasted my life—I would like to be a Christian.” Craddock knew that she would not find the type of help she was searching for during these meetings geared more to the academic nature of the scholars at their work.
Craddock took her aside and for an hour spoke pastorally with her about being a Christian. He noted some places in the Bible she should read and then they parted ways.[1]
It does not sound like much, to sit and talk with somebody, yet if somebody had not stopped and answered your questions, or been willing to sit down and talk with you about faith, would you be here today? As we talk so often in the Baptist tradition of the importance of one’s personal accountability and choice (i.e., to say for ourselves that we wish to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior), we would be remiss if we did not give due credit to those who helped us with our faith journey. Our faith is to be handed down, to be engaged with thoughtful conversation. Conversation helps aid conversion!
In my own life: If it were not for Verna Foster, would I have learned my first stories about Jesus? A devout farm wife, Mrs. Foster felt strongly that the farm kids should have a Vacation Bible School offered. We were hopped up on Kool-Aid, yet those stories of Jesus walking on the water or gathering his faithful like a shepherd gathers his flock started there. It may not have sounded that impressive, yet the seeds were cast by a person faithful to what it means to be a Christian, one who shares the faith.
Think about your own story of why faith factors into your life. It is not necessarily a string of events “all about you.” One’s faith journey is graced by many persons who have shared the faith, explored questions with you, and wandered alongside you as we make our way through life where faith and doubt intertwine. Without them, would you have been encouraged to go on?
To read the entire article, click here
Photo by Josue Michel on Unsplash