Stephen Dancer: with Christ, which is far better

Earlier today I heard that my brother in Christ, Stephen Dancer, has gone on ahead and is now in the presence of his Saviour.

I knew Stephen when we were apprentice church-planters and (distance) Bible college students together in Derbyshire. Alongside others (and not including me), Stephen played a notable role in the planting of Ashbourne Baptist Church. He also assisted amongst the saints at Derwent Free Church in Chaddesden (which no longer meets). Stephen subsequently moved to Solihull to help establish Solihull Presbyterian Church, amongst whom he has served ever since (bio here).

The chief characteristics for which I remember Stephen are his spiritual seriousness; his desire to do what he did for the Lord as well as he could, in all sincerity, as one seeking to please God and not men. He loved the Bible, believed in the importance of holiness and prayer, and in serving the people of God. This was reflected in his (very intermittent) blogging (here and here), but experienced by the believers in Solihull from week to week. Such things, you might think, are the common characteristics of true Christian ministers in general. Sadly, all experience shows that this is not so; and whilst there are many who start that way, and there are many who you believe deep down still hold to those things, the fight over the years doesn't go on as it should. With Stephen, I always came away persuaded that with him that he was still walking with Christ and serving him. And as such, I believe that Stephen has now heard his "well done, good and faithful servant", and passed into the presence of his Lord.

Stephen was not old - I don't recall his exact age, but I think he was past 55 and not yet 60. He used his life well and the abiding memory left with me will be his sincere love to his Master, and determination to serve him faithfully whilst here below. As such he "being dead, yet speaks".

How many more times will I have the opportunity to do something for Jesus Christ, and to speak to others about him? Reader, how many more times will you be allowed the privilege of speaking about Jesus Christ? If you intend, when you pass from here, to be known as someone who prayed, someone who served, someone who spoke up for the Saviour, what is it you're doing now and today that will lead to that result? One day we will have no further opportunity, and our eternal record will be cast and sealed. Much of our record is already set. What will we do with that which remains?