Years ago, Charlotte and I moved to Dallas from Tennessee. This was a temporary move. Ultimately, we would move to Abilene, Texas where we would both go to graduate school. However, at this point, we were in Dallas trying to get our finances in order so that we could move. We lived in Dallas for about eight months where we worked and saved for the fall semester. During this time, I also took a few courses at Amberton University, as well as a satellite campus of ACU, where I took a wonderful class taught by Paul Faulkner, in which he said much about life and ministry.
I began preaching for a small church outside of Dallas on Sundays. This church was located close to Lake Ray Hubbard. I knew an older couple who were members there and they had recommended me to the elders.
I remember my first Sunday well. We were walking from our car into the church building when this same couple whom I had known for many years, saw us. The gentleman, about seventy years of age, said, “Let me encourage you to not speak real long. The old people here don’t like long sermons.”