My PKs
Dave Faust
My PKs
Publication: The Lookout
Date: August 14, 2005
Column: First Look
Category: Family; Children
My kids grew up in a rough neighborhood. It was called "the church."
Like me, Matt, Michelle, and Melinda were BUICKs—"Brought Up In Church Kids." But because I'm a minister, they also wore the label "PK"—"Preacher's Kids."
The downside of being a PK is well-known, and my now-grown children can tell you about some of their frustrations. They got tired of waiting around because our family was usually the last to leave after worship services and Bible studies. They saw how the pressures of leadership wore their daddy down. Despite our best efforts to protect them from it, they saw church politics up-close and personal, and it wasn't pretty. Looking back, they remember times when they felt like they had to "perform" because others were observing how the preacher's kids behaved.
Thankfully, though, my daughters and son have mostly positive memories of growing up in the church.
They enjoyed Christmas Eve candlelight services, softball games on summer afternoons, and Easter sunrise services followed by French toast and sausage breakfasts.
They remember how Florence gave them chewing gum on Sunday morning, Ralph made giant sandwiches for our church dinners, and Ron and Jeanne gave them special gifts at Christmastime our family could not afford.
"I always felt like we were part of a community," says my daughter Michelle, now 25. "Church wasn't something I dreaded. I knew everybody, and I liked the fact that they all knew me."
Our kids met missionaries from exotic lands, and Bible college professors and ministry interns who became their friends. They traveled with us to Christian conventions and camps, and welcomed international students into our home for Thanksgiving dinner. Sometimes they accompanied me on visits to the nursing home, and smiled sheepishly while dear old saints patted them on the head.
My wife and I never told our children, "You have to act a certain way because you're a preacher's kid." We simply taught them, "This is important to do because you're a Christian."
Our PKs were surrounded by good things any Christian parents would want their children to experience. Before they were old enough to understand, they sang great songs of the faith and smelled the grape juice as communion was passed. They saw couples who had been married 50 years holding hands in church. They saw members of our congregation laugh, cry, and grow up together. They saw baptisms preceded by joyful confessions of faith. They saw Christ-followers face sickness and death with courage and hope.
And along the way, our PKs received another great gift. The people of our church simply loved our kids and let them be themselves.
This column first appeared in The Lookout on Aug 14, 2005.
My One and Only Marathon
I ran in a marathon once. As proof of the accomplishment, in my office I keep a medal I received at the conclusion of the 2014 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.
‘Nation Will Rise Against Nation’
Jesus predicted, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Luke 21:10), and his prophetic words ring true. Throughout history, strife on earth has been more prevalent than peace on earth. In biblical history it was Israel versus the Philistines, the Babylonians versus the Jews, the zealots versus the Romans. American history includes the long battle for independence from Great Britain and the bloody conflict of North versus South. The twentieth century brought dramatic wars in Europe and the South Pacific, and today, strife continues in the Middle East, North Korea, Afghanistan, and other hot spots around the world. The dark cloud of terrorism creates anxiety and inconvenience whether we travel by air or run in a marathon. From the deserts of Iraq to the streets of Boston, the battle rages: evil versus good, strife versus peace. Political battles aren’t the only problem. Sometimes nature itself seems determined to hurt us. Jesus predicted, “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” (v. 11). Floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes abound in a sin-cursed world that groans because it wants to be “liberated from its bondage to decay” (Romans 8:19-22). Even worse, hostile forces oppose the very good news that can save us. Jesus warned, “They will seize you and persecute you. They will . . . put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name” (v. 12). Today in Saudi Arabia, it’s illegal for Christians to worship publicly. Pakistan’s blasphemy law threatens anyone who criticizes Mohammed. In Western Europe and America, university professors and students who stand for biblical truth risk being humiliated in the classroom and ostracized by their peers. Thankfully, Jesus not only warned his disciples about hard times to come; he also advised us how to respond. Jesus’ Instructions for Living in Hard Times “Watch out that you are not deceived” (v. 8). Deceptive leaders and false messiahs have risen up in every age, but the truth still sets us free. “When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened” (v. 9). God gives peace even in the midst of conflict. “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves” (v. 14). We should prepare for hard times, but we shouldn’t live in constant fear. Even when dragged before kings and governors, the disciples could “bear testimony” about Jesus (v. 13), and he promised to provide the “words and wisdom” they needed (v. 15). “Stand firm, and you will win life” (v. 19). The Romans destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70, but God’s purpose still prevailed; and by standing firm in our faith, God’s people will prevail no matter what hardships come upon the earth. Jesus warned, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap” (v. 34). Today, nations continue to rise against other nations. But we believe in the King of kings who reigns over all. We preach a gospel all cultures can believe and embrace. We have a mission that brings hope and light to a dark and broken world. And we look forward to a glorious eternal city where “the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it” (Revelation 21:26), and where the warring nations finally will be at peace. QUESTIONS: 1. How do you see God’s hand at work in today’s news?