Spiritual Dad

Have you seen the Facebook meme which says, “I opened my mouth and my Mom came out!”?

Last Sunday I was given the opportunity to speak on stage with my Pastor about the person of the Holy Spirit.  We were having a great conversation, when I opened my mouth to say one thing… and I quoted my Spiritual Dad, saying something completely different than I intended to say.

I contemplated this for a couple of days.  It occurred to me that I have been listening to the messages of Pastor Mike and observing his life long enough I have changed.  This change is a good thing.  I have learned not only how to rightly divide scripture and make the complicated concepts in scripture simple, I have also observed a wonderful example of how to love one’s family and everyone you come in contact with.

A man can father a child without ever being a part of the child’s life.  Sadly, there are many children who don’t even know the name of their biological father.  A Dad, however, is the man who is always there for you.  You give weight to his advice.  A man who sees your hidden potential and invests himself in your well being.

My Dad was all of this and more.  He invested himself in me.  He cared for me.  He provided a safe and stable home for his family.  He cared enough to challenge me to be strong in my beliefs.  He wanted the absolute best for my brothers, sister, and me.

How could I ever call anyone else Dad?  I had such a great relationship with my Dad, how could I pass that kind of respect and honor to any other man?  It just seemed strange to acknowledge another with such a precious term.

“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (1 Cor. 4:15)  Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes the Greek word for fathers, patēr, as “one who stands in a father’s place and looks after another in a parental way.”  I have received instruction in the Word of God from many sources.  I have the privilege of calling many preachers and pastors my brothers and sisters.  However, I can point to two men who have a long term, vested interest in me in the same way my Dad did.  Brad Gadberry and Michael T. Smith.

Brad was my Youth Pastor.  He took this shy, introverted kid and showed me the love of Christ.  He had this ability so see who I was even before I could.  He showed me the how to’s and why’s of ministry.  He gave me my first opportunity to preach the Gospel.  He even officiated Crystal and I’s wedding.  We have studied the Word together and invested much time in each other and our families.  I would not be who I am today without Brad in my life.

Michael T. Smith, Pastor Mike, was there for me at a crucial point in my life.  I loved God and knew there was a call on my life.  However, I had been beat up in the ministry.  I learned that if you’re not thick skinned, you get eaten alive.  I was hungry, thirsty, and weak.  Pastor Mike’s teaching brought me hope.  Then, I got to know the man.  He was the same loving, generous, fun, compassionate, graceful man one on one as he was on stage.  (This should not be uncommon, but sadly it is.)  Pastor Mike has shared wisdom and insights into my life not only in Bible study, but also in living a life of Grace.  I fear that I would still be in religious bondage and disillusioned if he wasn’t in my life.

The world calls them “Mentors” or “Coaches”.  However, they are far more than that.  A Spiritual Dad is not a common man.  A Spiritual Dad makes sure his sons and daughters grow up in the faith.  They make sure we don’t just show up at church, but we grow and mature in every aspect of our lives.

Sometimes, I open my mouth and Dan Turner Sr. comes out.  Other times, like last Sunday, Pastor Mike comes out.  Other times, I’m asking myself, “Where have I heard that before?”  Oh, yeah!  That was Brad…  I am honored to be a product of the care and wisdom of these men.