*photo of Millie and Bob Downer
One
of the wonderful gifts of this church is the incredible legacy of former staff
that have come before us; literally, a book full of these leaders. This
includes the brilliance and poetry of our modern pilgrim Browning Ware, the
pastoral legacy of Don Searles, the timeless wisdom of Carlyle Marney… and the
gift of the music and ministry of Bob Downer.
In
the last few weeks, over and over again folks have shared stories of the gifts
of Bob Downer and his 35 years of ministry among us. I have heard folks state
that it was the music ministry of Bob Downer that brought them to the church. I
have heard about Bob’s pastoral side, his incredible ability to create a place
and feel of worship, and his love for music that made even the non-musical
people (if they exist) appreciate a song. I have heard about the 8 choirs and 3
handbell choirs he and Millie directed, the love they shared with this community
through friendship and grace, and these words from the Music Minister Emeritus
documentation: “They blessed us with a living
legacy of joyous hymns, quiet benedictions, meaningful anthems, and forever-changed lives.”
I
have heard many stories that make me wish I had known Bob; stories that make me
even more grateful for the incredible legacy and ministry he gave us – one that
continues still today.
And
it further answered a question I often ask: what makes a good minister? I am
not sure exactly what it is, but there are a few things I have learned along
the way that help begin to answer that question. One is that a good minister
creates a ministry that will live far beyond themselves. I was at a conference
one time and I heard a fellow minister say, “you know, when I leave the church,
all my programs and all my hard work is going to just fall away because it
won’t happen without me.” I felt immense pity for that person and their church
– what a sad comment, because either that ministry is nothing more than just an
ego booster for that individual, or that ministry is not what the community
needs (two questions good ministers are always asking).
True
ministry lasts far beyond the minister, because we are part of a story that is
simply much larger than our own. Our ministry is about Christ who set this
example for us … to create something larger for folks to live into for a long
time.
Along
with Millie, Bob Downer created a ministry like that. His fingerprints are
still on our music ministry program. And actually, it seems perfect that his
ministry was in music, because he created a song for us that is timeless, that
still guides us, and that we walk around humming still to this day.
The
chorus of which is “Thanks be to God.”
May
his life inspire all of us to create ministries that outlive our leadership,
that are something larger for folks to live into for a long time, which will
tell the truth of Christ’s love, and that will build the Kingdom of God. May we
live, create, and minister like Bob Downer did: like Jesus did.
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