Of all the people you know, who’s names would make it onto a Twenty-first Century Update of Hebrews chapter Eleven?
Believe it or not, I wouldn’t expect to see my name. This is not out of a false sense of modesty or fear of things hidden. It is because I know too many great men and women of God whose names would fill those sacred pages many times over.
With godly pride we remember the brothers and sisters who have left behind the Faith-Legacy of Abel—who “though he is dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). How wonderful it is that we have inherited the blessings of their good work for Jesus. Their sacrificial lives were poured out for the Lord and make up the spiritual foundations of our congregations. Brethren “of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:38).
There is a certain kind of Christian who seeks no recognition and expects no thanks. These are the Christlike silent workers who toil without being asked. All those jobs that just-get-done, are done by them. In reality, they form the backbones of our congregations, and without them our churches would fall over and die. May their tribe increase!
Every Christian can name the great song leaders of their churches. Men who gathered us in spirit and voice to teach and admonish each other with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). Every song sung since echoes their faith and joy.
To all the preachers and teachers who have shone the Light of God’s Word into our hearts (too many to list, and too many forgotten), we thank you. You may not have always said what everyone wanted to hear, but you always sought to meet everyone’s needs. Like the prophets of old: The best of you is the best of us!
John Staiger
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