It happened last week. I was introduced as a “boomerang preacher.” I had never heard the phrase before so I was anxious to hear what was coming next since the person speaking, a sister in Christ, had just introduced me to one of her friends and was describing me. She continued, “Every time we cry ‘help’, he comes to rescue us.”
I have contemplated her statement. Her statement reflects the nature of ministry. Paul went back to congregations to encourage and strengthen those he loved; he wrote letters; he was present in spirit if not in person. Effective ministry in the context of a church builds relationships that are not quickly broken.
Jan and I have “boomeranged”. We have returned to churches to assist in special times of need. We have returned for special series and meetings, weddings and funerals. We maintain contact. We have been invited to consider second tenures in most of the congregations where we have ministered. We don’t want to “boomerang” in ways that hinder the work and ministry of those who are currently working to advance the kingdom in those churches where we have worked, but it is hard for us to imagine spending ministry time with a church without building lifelong, eternal relationships. We love to see brothers and sisters we taught and baptized into Christ still faithful after years have passed. We love to meet the families of couples we have married.
We hope our “boomerang” efforts help those with whom we minister. We know such efforts help us. Such experiences remind us of where we have been. They remind us who we are. Most of all, they remind us that “God is God, and God is good.”