C YA, TERRY!
Some days start with a whimper or a groggy nod. Some days ignite with the spark and sputter of progress. Other days smell of burnt rubber and spinning wheels. Then there are those events that trammel the thump of the daily rhythm into a sudden, profound, silence. This is one of those days.
Yesterday, I heard that Terry Tanner, a friend and fellow preacher, had a heart attack. In a few hours I went from knowing nothing, to finding out that Terry had already had an operation and was resting from his ordeal back home in Charlottetown. Shock subsided to calm concern. This morning I was informed that he died last night. A man fifty years of age. A man full of life and energy. A man who served his Lord. A man now in the arms of Jesus.
I first met Terry when I began attending Ontario Christian Seminary in Toronto around 1983. Terry, at that time, was the preacher in a congregation in Selkirk, Ontario. Selkirk was the largest Christian Church in Ontario, largely because of the faithful, hard work of Terry.
Terry would often come and speak at the chapel sessions at the school. I always appreciated the concern he had for us as students. He seem genuinely interested in us and his messages always had some practical pointers for those of us who were entering the preaching ministry.
In 1989, I graduated and moved to Prince Edward Island to begin my first ministry. The next year, Terry accepted the call to become the Senior preacher at Central Christian Church in Charlottetown, PEI and we were once again in contact. For a while we had an early morning men's bible study at Terry's place. We would get together at 6:30 am each Wednesday to share what God was saying to us through His Word and then pray for one another. That was a special time of fellowship and growth for me. I also enjoyed eyeballing the bright orange 1973 Pinto station wagon that he had kept for it's sentimental value and then restored. It was a true testimony to the fact that a lot of love and care can make almost anything look good!
One time, about a year before we moved from the Island, I was thinking of going back to school and we met for lunch to discuss things. I had sought Terry out for a couple of reasons: I was thinking of attending Lincoln Christian Seminary in Illinois (about an hour outside of Chicago) and that was Terry's old stomping grounds. Second, I trusted his wisdom and insight. I knew he was a level-headed man who could really help me work through all the options!
It's interesting. Terry was one of the busiest guys I've ever met and the only preacher I knew who actually liked meetings and somehow had the miraculous gift of even making them productive! Yet, somehow, somewhere, he always found time to talk, not just to me, but to anyone who might ask. I've heard that from many people over the years.
I guess what I admired most about Terry was that he was an average guy with above average dedication and faith. Terry's strength didn't rest in the area of preaching, but you could tell that he worked hard at crafting a well-constructed, meaty sermon. I always appreciated every message I heard him deliver. I will forever think of Terry as the consummate ministry professional in the very best sense of those words. He had the drive, the desire, and he acquired the skill to do the very best he could in the service of the Lord. He excelled in the area of administration, and visitation. He knew and loved his people. He was a genuine, solid, caring, individual; strong in faith; driven to share the love of the Lord. In the years that the Lord gave him, no one will ever question the fact that he made every day count.
Before signing off for this week, I have to share a funny story about Terry. One day we were sitting around talking about our most embarrassing moments in ministry and Terry recounted the following: It seems that early on, one of his first baptisms was of a lady who was extremely nervous. I guess it took every bit of Terry's concentration to get things sorted out and ready to go, so much so, in fact, that when he was getting dressed for the baptism, he forgot to put his shirt on. Meanwhile he and this lady had climbed into the tank. Then Terry gave the signal to open the curtain into the sanctuary. He began to speak to the congregation about the beauty of being united with Christ in Christian baptism and he shared something about this women's spiritual journey, when he realized that the congregations reactions weren't in keeping with the solemnity of the moment. You see, from their perspective they couldn't see Terry's bottom half which was adorned with some hip waders. So, to the entire congregation, it looked like Terry was standing there naked in the baptistry. When Terry shared that story with me, I thought, "Grant, if professional, smooth-as-silk Tanner could do something like that, maybe there's hope for you!"
Terry, the entire Maritimes will miss your example, your work, your concern. But, we will forever remember the message of your life. Use whatever you have to serve the Lord your God with hard work, integrity and passion, then let the Lord take care of the rest! I figure Terry went so young for one of two reasons: either the Heavenly choir needed his sweet tenor voice, or Terry had worked so hard, the Lord told him he could finish early! To Eileen and the children, our prayers are with you!
"Let me die the death of the righteous,
and may my end be like theirs!"
(Num 23:10b)
