Richard Chambers, Good and Faithful Servant

In my 36 plus years on this earth, there are very few men I have met that I held in as high esteem as I did Richard Chambers. He passed away a few days ago and tomorrow (today actually) will be his funeral. My wife grew very close to his wife, Patty who is a teacher at Mandarin Christian School where my wife also works.

Richard was an elder at Christ's Church and in every encounter I ever had with the man, I could sense he was different. Not in an standoffish or righteous way by any means but in a way that I could tell he played by a different set of rules than most people are use to. In 2 Corinthians it says that when you are in Christ, you are a new creation. I have always taken that to mean that we are no longer bound by what we have done in the past, or how it's always been done or even by what everyone else is doing or thinks is ok. THAT was Richard.
I bet most people don't know many men they would call "strong" and be able to include that same person when asked to name people they consider "humble." THAT was Richard.
When my wife and I took he and Patty a meal a while back, Richard and I sat in the living room and we chatted for probably close to an hour. Even in his tired state, he was sure to tell me how much he appreciated all I was doing in the Sports Ministry and wanted me to talk about things that moved me. THAT was Richard.
Upon his passing, two emails were sent out that specifically talked about Richard and how much he meant to them and their time in the ministry. Both included how vital Richard had been over the years in keeping our church and ministry pointed in the right direction during critical times and how he was a rock that many could always depend on. Yes...that was Richard.
He did what Elders are suppose to do. He was a quiet, unassuming leader that had a servant heart most of us never saw and that was not an accident. From all indications, he was an excellent father, husband and professional.
And now, even in death, his influence is living on in the succession of a new elder who will be able to use Richard as an incredible role model for what a servant-hearted leader is suppose to look like. That future elder might not be stepping in right now. Or maybe not even in five years. But when he does, the example and influence that Richard left will no doubt help in assuring Christ's Church has another rock in place to steady us in the rough times. Yes...that was Richard.

May God's peace and comfort be with the Chambers' family in these trying times and days to come.