PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

July 10, 2024

A CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN

In my many years of attending the annual meeting of the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church there are two delegates who stand out in my memory because of their attire.  The first was a clergy member who served for six years as a district superintendent.  He would sit on the stage wearing his white shoes, white pants, and colorful jacket.  I can remember nothing of what he had to say.

The second person was a lay delegate to conference.  He very rarely appeared on stage.  I would run into him at least several times each conference.  What caught my attention was the bow tie he always wore that seemed somewhat in contrast to his otherwise immaculate, conservative attire.

The first delegate disappeared from conference after a few years.  The second one continued attending for many years, moving from being a delegate from his local church to being an equalization delegate as a result of his being a district lay leader.

Even though I had very little direct contact with the second delegate, by his demeanor and actions I came to view him as a representative example of what it means to be a Christian gentleman.  He did not wear his Christianity on his sleeve but in his heart.

For me there are several scriptures that describe the qualities of a Christian gentleman.  The first is the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians, the love passage.  The Living Bible translation of verse seven identifies the following qualities of love: loyalty to others, believing in others, expecting the best of others, and standing one’s ground in defending others.  The attention of a Christian gentleman is upon others and not self.

A second text that for me describes a Christian gentleman is found in Philippians.  A Christian is one who thinks about things which are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, or worthy of praise. (Phil 4:8)  The second delegate to conference had all of the above qualities.

When Diane and I started attending First United Methodist church in Plymouth, Indiana, who did I see—the man with the bow tie.  When I got my library card, I saw a room named in his honor.  When I became involved with the local United Way, there I saw his footprint.  Evidently, his involvement with the United Methodist church was only the surface of his service to others.

Monday, June 20^th, I attended a memorial service for the man with the bow tie, William “Bill” Laramore.  Those who spoke confirmed the impression I had of him when I first saw him many years ago at conference.  Throughout his life he had exemplified what it means to be a Christian gentleman.

My interactions with Bill Laramore raise for me the question of the impression I am making on others, even those of which I am not aware.  Bill did not know that I was observing him from a distance.  I am not even sure he knew who I was.  What I was seeing was the real Bill Laramore.  The impression it made remains with me some thirty-five years later.  I wonder what people who I met thirty-five years ago might have thought of me.  Would they be so favorable with their description as I am of Bill Laramore, a genuine Christian gentleman.

(This article was originally published July 10, 2024.  Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embrqmail.com.)