Retired ministers challenged to keep on serving Christ

Posted: 10/13/06

Retired ministers challenged
to keep on serving Christ

By Orville Scott

Special to the Baptist Standard

GLORIETA, N.M.—A record 423 people at the eighth annual Retired Ministers’ Retreat at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center were challenged to keep on serving Christ into eternity.

Speaking to the conference theme of “Carry On…Let’s Go,” Russell Dilday, chancellor of the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute and former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said the supernatural power of God is unlimited “to carry you through.”

“The reason for your getting this gift is to become part of passing it on. God will put in your pathway others who need it.”

Russell Dilday, chancellor of the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute and former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, preached at the Texas Baptist Retiree Ministers Retreat.

Dilday, preacher for the four-day retreat, recalled that Jesus took a little boy’s lunch and multiplied it to feed 5,000. “He will help us to carry on, even into eternity.”

“Where people are separated from God, compassion keeps you carrying on,” said Dilday. “The power supply comes through the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life.”

Noting that every Christian in the New Testament carried out their ministry in the context of the church, Dilday said, “Jesus loved the church and gave himself for it. A good disciple is one who is developing and growing to full potential.

“Who you are is more important than what you do. Be filled with the Spirit. Show the fruit of the Spirit.”

Retired Southwestern Seminary Professor Bill Tolar who led the Bible study at the retreat, also challenged participants to keep on serving Christ into eternity.

Bill Tolar, veteran professor of biblical backgrounds at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, led the morning Bible studies on "Iraq and the Bible."

“If we knew the cure for cancer and did not share it, that would be morally corrupt,” Tolar said. “If we have knowledge of God and do not share it, that is morally corrupt.

“By modern standards of success in ministry, the prophet Jeremiah would be graded F-triple-minus. He was not popular, and he did not have a big following, but real success in ministry is faithfulness, love of the people, integrity and truth.

“My faith is based on the character of God, not on human circumstances. God loved me enough to send his Son to die for me.”

Worship leader at the retreat was composer Dick Baker, former minister of music at Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas. Organist was retired dentist Bill Hanson, concert artist/entertainer and former organist at First Baptist Church in Dallas.

The 2007 Retired Ministers Retreat will be at Glorieta Conference Center Sept. 24-28.

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