Williamson: Thousands of faithful yearning for a faithful witness
By Paula R. Kincaid, The Layman Online, July 24, 2006
TULSA – “Be very careful about the hurry-up and wait syndrome,” Parker T. Williamson, editor emeritus and senior correspondent of The Layman, warned those attending the New Wineskins Convocation July 21.
Wait for what, he asked?
“Dear friends, the middle never leads,” he said. “The faith is there. The people are there. The commitment is there. The yearning is there. Who will lead us?”
He then spoke of Biblical leaders including a shepherd with a slingshot and Gideon with a tiny little band of committed followers.
“Remember that there were more than 1,500 members of the Pastors’ League, until Hitler turned the screws and many fell away. Then Martin Niemoller and a tiny handful dared to gather at a place called Barmen,” Williamson said. “Remember Jesus’ own words, ‘And a little child will lead them.’ The faithful are out there in the thousands, and they are yearning for a faithful witness they can follow.”
Williamson said it was wise “to take what time is needed to prepare and to prepare well, but don’t wait for some majority to lead.”
“Would you dare to be the shepherd with the slingshot, to be Gideon kneeling by that river, or even Martin Niemoller and his tiny Barmen band?” he asked.
“Would you even be willing to be the little child who will step out boldly and lead this church?”
Williamson was introduced by Peggy Hedden, CEO of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and chairman of its board of directors.