Farewell, My Friends!

The eulogy is the most personal tribute the pastor will give. It is the pastor’s final praise of life. It is never easy nor should it be for the pastor to give this funeral tribute. Were it easy, then the pastor has failed to feel deeply the pain of those whom he or she serves. After hundreds of eulogies, I still find myself struggling to find just the right words to express how important these persons are to me. To express in the space of a few minutes, with words surely lacking, in light of the pain this moment has birthed, the deep sense of respect that I hold for him or her who has crossed into worlds unknown, is the least of all gifts.

Long pastorates create opportunities for lasting friendships. Members become more than members. They become friends. They are there for you in your time of crisis, and you are there for them in their time of crisis. You bless the babies who are later baptized. As they mature, you will marry them to the love of their lives, and you will bless their children and baptize them. And then the unexpected happens—death! And you will give the eulogy and lead them into the light for the final time. After hundreds of funerals and eulogies, this aspect of the pastoral ministry takes it toll on the pastor, who too is human. Too many friends! Too many deaths! Too many tears! Yet, it is expected of the pastor to be there to give the funeral tribute to the person who has been a faithful and devoted member and friend.

This book brings the reader face to face with a few of the many people I have met over forty years of ministry. The majority of them are Mississippians, either by birth or by adoption. Their names may be familiar to some and strange sounding to others. But they share a common heritage. These sons and daughters of ebony gave birth to a new Mississippi. They were leaders who did not crave headlines, but believed in a future where “a new world order; a new peace could be written in the sky.” They lived and died in that hope! This volume is a celebration of their lives—their stories. They may be strangers at the outset; however, I hope that you too will come to know them. Most were members. All were friends. Our lives were intertwined by so many rich experiences. I found myself dreading to say, good bye. I needed more time. More time to love them. More time to know them better. More time to enjoy their company. And yet there was no more time. Time had wound down for them and for me and all I could do was to bid them, “Farewell!”