Alton

[Edward D Lacey]

Alton lived next door,  just a short distance from the front door of the church.   He bought his house before the church building was even built, and he had seen pastors come and go.  He even told me this story about a pastor they had to fire back in the 70’s who broke out the window in his office because they had locked him out of the church.   He and his wife were charter members of the church.   Alton had done most of the electrical work for the church, from the new education wing to the new screen and projector system.   He led the music for almost 50 years.   When the doors to the church were open, he and his family were there.   He has been a resident of the town for 78 years.  He knows everything about everyone, and if a building was built, he did the plumbing and wiring.  He crawled under the church to put in the new baptistery after the church burnt twenty years ago.  His seat is just behind the front row to the right of the aisle.  Even when attendance dropped off a few years ago, you could always count on him to be here.  Sometimes it was just him and the pastor in the office for prayer meeting, but he was there.  These Alton's are the last of a dying breed.  They are men who lead by example.  They will not expound on great theological topics, and they could care less if you are Calvinist or Armenian. 

(A word of warning, be careful because these men know more theology than you might think.) 

Their theology comes from 1 Thessalonians 4.  Paul writes, “For this is God’s will, your sanctification:  that you abstain from sexual immorality, so that each one of you knows how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not with lustful desires like the gentiles who don’t know God…But we encourage you brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.” (1 Thess. 4:3-5, 10-12). 

I have served six churches in my 30 years of ministry.   In all six of those churches, there have been Alton's.  They are men who value a hard day’s work, are quiet and not quarrelsome, and who lead by example with integrity and honesty.   I have always gravitated to the “Alton's” because deep down inside, that’s who I want to be.   We take these men for granted.  They are difficult to get to know.  It takes time, patience, and a good deal of listening.  They are tough on the exterior, but inside their hearts are soft and they have a passion and compassion for people that few will ever surpass.  They don’t teach about the “Alton's” in seminary, but most pastors will pastor a church with one or two of them in their congregation. They’re in every church in America.  They unlock every Sunday morning.  They come to deacon’s meetings and prayer meetings and Bible study.  They come and watch the children at the Awana program.  They are there, listening, and they can be your biggest ally.  Let’s not take these great men for granted, because they’re only a part of our lives for a very short time.  Let’s learn from the “Alton's”.  There is value in being ordinary and faithful.  Their names will probably never be known outside of their communities, but the impact they’ve made on this preacher will last for a lifetime.  Thank you to the “Alton's” out there who serve constantly without expecting anything in return. 

Davis

E. Davis Lacey

PS:  This is dedicated to the memory of Jack Penland, James Dyer, Alton Cheek, David Luther, Brice Evans, and all the Johns of Cartecay Baptist + the CBC deacons (some, who are no longer with us).

 

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