I remember going to church for the first time at Gilcomston Church in downtown Aberdeen, Scotland. When I first met the pastor, Rev. William Still, I was impressed. Here was a man who was in his nineties and he was still preaching every Sunday morning! I was surprised and impressed. One Sunday evening after the service there was a fellowship where they served tea and biscuits. I sat in the pew and drank my tea but noticed that Rev. Still was sitting all alone on the pulpit platform drinking his tea. Providence presented me with a terrific opportunity to have a conversation with Rev. Still, so I moved from my pew and sat down next to him. We talked about a number of things that evening, but one question still sticks in my mind. I asked him, “So what do you enjoy doing these days?” I expected to hear something like, read books, play golf, watch TV, or something of the like. But as I looked at Rev. Still tears welled up in his eyes as he replied, “I have to say that I get the greatest joy and satisfaction in preparing my weekly sermons. It is such a blessing to me.” I was surprised but all the more impressed. And at the same time at that very moment his answer also cemented in my mind the desire to follow in his footsteps.
I’m not saying that retirement is wrong—do as the Lord leads. But I’m really grateful that as a minister, so long as my mind stays sound (there are doubts already), then I can continue to labor well beyond retirement age. I never want to quit preaching. I never want to quit studying God’s word. I never want to quit ministering to Christ’s sheep. That day Rev. Still became a hero of mine and later that summer he stopped preaching because he died and enrolled in the church triumphant. I am sure that when Rev. Still met Christ he was greeted with a warm, “Well done good and faithful servant!” Rev. Still ministered well into his nineties! I hope that the Lord raises up many more William Stills that would serve his church for many years.