“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Heb.13:7)
Both born in 1950, Tim was my junior by 7 months, but my senior in every other way. In God’s kindness, I was invited to join a group of 15-17 pastors assembled by Terry Gyger nearly 30 years ago. Terry created this annual “Gathering of Friends” out of love and concern for young “boomer” pastors—who easily default to busyness, isolation, and living from our heads.
From the beginning, our group has assumed there’s always more to the Gospel to understand, experience, and integrate into all of life. Story sharing, prayer, worship, repenting… rich conversation, mutual encouragement, mission refueling… we cram all of this into our annual 3-day retreats, and friendship we’ve enjoy throughout the years.
Though Tim and I met earlier, the Gathering of Friends was where friendship was forged. It still boggles my mind (but gladdens my heart) that I was invited into this ongoing fellowship with Terry, Tim and amazing pastor-brothers-leaders like Sandy Wilson, Randy Pope, Dick Kaufman, Joe Novenson, John Wood, Skip Ryan, Al LaCour, Ray Cortese, John Yenchko, Harry Reeder, Jim Hatch, John Hutchinson, Bryan Chapell, Bill Edgar, Shelton Sanford, Dan Doriani.
Over the nearly 3 decades of our fellowship, we’ve shared the highs and lows of ministry, the heartaches of life and the brokenness of our stories, loud laughter and salty tears. We’ve gone through transitions—ones we planned, and unexpected ones planned for us. We’ve buried spouses, vexed over kids, hotly debated issues, had seasons where some of us needed, or didn’t need, but nevertheless took a hiatus. Now three of us are in heaven—Dick, Harry, and Tim.
But here’s the deal about Tim in our group. Here’s why my appreciation runs deep and tears flow easily. No one took our group more seriously than Tim. No one made it a higher priority, and was more present than Tim. Five times busier than most of us, he was that many times and more committed to this band of brothers. During Covid and cancer, I’ll never forget Tim taking his laptop and us into chemotherapy with him through Zoom.
As an introvert, I appreciated Tim being one, and learned so much from him about stewarding the awkwardness and relational dance we introverts learn. But as I “consider the outcome of Tim’s way of life and seek to imitate his faith”—what stands out? His beautiful mind and heart-honed skill to think Gospel and see Jesus everywhere. His consistent humility and gentleness—in all places all the time. His deep love for Kathy and his sons. His sense of humor and freedom from being seduced or impressed with being “freakin’-Tim-Keller”—as more than once I’d overhear small groups or individuals comment as Tim walked by. His kindness and encouragement to me personally. His love for Jesus, and his longing to be with Jesus—which he now fully enjoys.
Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing your truth, goodness, and beauty to Tim Keller—so profoundly, clearly, compellingly. Because you did, our generation, and generations to come, savor the fruit, rest in your love, and will glorify you forever. Thank you, Jesus, and increase Tim’s tribe. So Very Amen.
