Returning a Gift, Part 2

Spirituality Column #56
December 4, 2007
Current in Carmel (IN) newspaper

Returning a Gift, Part 2
By Bob Walters

The first time I saw Russ Blowers was Labor Day weekend of 2001 on the exact 50th anniversary of his ministry with East 91st Street Christian Church.

Though he retired in 1996 at age 72, he continued as Senior Minister Emeritus of the huge Castleton-area independent Christian church in Indianapolis and was a faithful, friendly and familiar face in church nearly every Sunday. He offered comfort and counsel by phone, card or visitation virtually every day.

Russ loved and was loved, and he died this year (2007) on November 10.

Dave Faust was E91’s senior minister in 2001 (he is now president of Cincinnati Christian University). To celebrate those 50 years, Russ was invited to share that Sunday’s sermon as the two marvelous ministers discussed the abiding Christian values of Faith, Hope and Love.

His pulpit appearances rare since 1996, the huge sanctuary throng went stand-up-and-cheer crazy when Russ was introduced. E91 is one of those churches that cheers.

I didn’t know what to make of it. I grew up traditional Episcopalian, where we didn’t cheer; and on that particular Sunday attended church for basically the first time in 30 years. The music was different, communion was different, worship was different … and Russ was different.

As quickly as the cheers rose, Russ stepped forward, smiled, made a gentle “sit down” motion with his hands, and the crowd quieted … almost instantly. Amazing command of an audience.

Russ briefly told of his start with the congregation in 1951, when it was a struggling church of 150 or so on East 49th Street. He joked that the hardest thing he did initially was cancel the annual fish fry fundraiser.

He insisted that the little congregation would praise God, promised that he would preach Christ, and unceasingly prayed for the leading of the Holy Spirit. The church grew and grew.

As to Faith, Hope and Love – 50 years later – Russ’s basic message was:

Faith is formed by our past,

Hope is formed by our expectations of the future, and

Love is what governs our actions today.

Simple and true, Russ got my attention.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) is writing a Christmas series about the best gift he ever got and his hopes to return it. More next week.