Cloud of Witnesses
April 1, 1997
Any friend of Earl Roberts was proud to say so. But Earl and I weren't just friends; he mentored me in ministry. He died in October 1996 at the age of 93. He picked up pneumonia on a trip to Jackpot, Nevada. Earl liked to play cards and slots now and then.
I never asked Earl for advice about pastoral ministry, and he never offered any. But during the nine years I served the Victor Federated Church in Victor, Montana, Earl always seemed to know when I was worried. He'd learned a lot about worry over the years because he took risks his whole life and saw them work out. He was a rancher, an auctioneer, owner and operator of a real estate company, and a drummer in his own dance band.
He was also head usher for fifty years at the Victor Federated Church.
I don't suppose being an usher is all that risky, but he'd seen enough in the church over the years to know how risky a pastor's life can be. I think that's what we had in common. Why worry?
Earl was raised on a ranch in the Big Hole Valley near Jackson, Montana. The Big Hole is an expansive, grassy, high-mountain ranch valley, in southwestern Montana. It is virtually treeless. On a sunny day-almost every day-you can see snow-capped mountains for 360 degrees. It frosts almost every night in summer. Such weather prospers mosquitoes, natural grasses, and trout.
Earl always took time to hunt and fish. To him it was a spiritual duty. We used to go fishing on the upper Big Hole River. He wore baggy, rubber hip waders, which he filled with brook trout. The limit was twenty fish, but he could stash more than that in those things.
On days we fished the Big Hole River, we left the Bitterroot Valley at five in the morning. We crossed the Continental Divide to the eastern slope at ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
