My Dear Shepherds,

I still write Christmas cards to people we seldom see. I mean I actually write them, in cursive with my fountain pen.

Thinking of those names brought to mind a favorite sermon I heard on a Preaching Today cassette (!) years ago. Fred Craddock’s imaginative message, “When the Roll Is Called Down Here,” was from Romans 16 where Paul sends greetings to some 29 individuals plus a couple of groups.

We can relate. None of us would’ve amounted to much nor lasted long without “coworkers in Christ Jesus.” So perhaps Paul’s memories will jog ours.

High on Paul’s list were Aquila and Priscilla who “risked their lives for me.” I don’t think anyone went that far for me, but I know some who sacrificed greatly for the work we shared. Years ago our Elder Board quietly bore the frightening, protracted threat of a lawsuit from a disgruntled member. Almost no one else ever knew but it took a toll on us all.

Paul sent greetings to Epenetus, “the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” We all remember certain milestone conversions. Over the phone from a mental hospital Kathy told me how she was embraced by the Father’s healing love when she heard the old hymn, “The Love of God,” on a late-night radio program. My pastor friend Steve remembers David. “After two years of resistance to the gospel, he put his faith in Christ after a sermon I preached on Luke 18:18-30 on the rich ruler.”

We have known the descendants of Apelles “whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.” Think how many fire-tested saints we’ve known, bearing flames of suffering or braving blistering attacks. They seldom thought they were brave nor especially trusting but they stood like pillars.

Paul wrote that Rufus’ mother “has been a mother to me.” Oh, how I love those mothers! Marie, who gushed over my sermon every Sunday. Nancy, who’d surprise me with her extraordinary lasagna. Dill, who told me in a dark time, “Lee, if everyone else leaves, I’ll follow you out the door and turn off the lights.”

If we could sit with one another, old church directories in hand, we could tell some stories, couldn’t we! About those who like Aaron and Hur held our weary arms over the battles, Abigails who kept us from doing something stupid, Jonathans who strengthened us in the Lord.

Paul mentioned some who “worked very hard for you” and who were “coworkers in Christ.” I’ve known too many to count, too many to add to my Christmas card list. But there is one person more important than all the others.

This month, December 30, Susan and I celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Our first date was on a night off from a summer tour singing in churches and our first kiss was in a Sunday School room in Ottumwa, Iowa. Our marriage has been woven through ministry from the beginning. Jesus used our marriage to sanctify us, to love our people well, and to keep us on our feet.

When we were young, pastors’ wives were often expected to play the piano and lead the Women’s Missionary Society. My spunky, independent wife wasn’t so inclined. What delighted her was matching people to ministries that fit their gifts. She brought a depth of theology, imagination, and artfulness to planning years of worship services. She knew and loved every child in our congregations. She made our home a haven of hospitality. She loved me well. And she prayed. She prayed!

Paul wrote, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Or perhaps a Christmas card will do.

Be ye glad!

Lee Eclov recently retired after 40 years of local pastoral ministry and now focuses on ministry among pastors. He writes a weekly devotional for preachers on Preaching Today.