Re ections on the Ministry of

David Roper

Gods Work Through an Ordinary Man

Reflections on the Ministry of David Roper

By Brian Roper (with help from many)

Introduction
ome time ago I was driving with my friend Neil Smith, and he said to me, You know your dad is a genius, dont you? I chuckled since I think of a genius as a guy like Einstein, and my dad was never very good at math. No serious, Neil continued. He has a genius for ministry. Think about every ministry he has been involved in: college group at Stanford, Scribe School at PBC, Cole Community Church, and Idaho Mountain Ministries. Every one of them has flourished. As the second of three sons, I have always known that I had a great dad, but this got me thinking about why my dad has been so effective in ministry and what qualities have led to him having such a profound impact on the lives of those with whom he has worked. And so I asked many of his past co-workers in ministry to share their reflections and insights about David Roper and his fifty years of ministry. Based on those responses, it became evident to me that he has been an encouragement and an influential role model for so many involved in Christian ministry today.

This is not a tribute to a man. My dad would not want that. It is a tribute to the work God has done through a man. In his book Out of the Ordinary, he writes, It is out of the ordinary that Gods extraordinary work is done. My hope, therefore, is that through this booklet we catch a glimpse of the holy work God has done through an ordinary man to touch others with grace and truth. And that those who know him are encouraged. Background

avid Roper was born March 30, 1933, in Dallas, Texas. His father, Harlin, was the pastor of Scofield Memorial Church, a metropolitan congregation in Dallas, for forty years. His mother, Carrie, was also a Bible teacher. She told my dad that he prayed to follow Jesus when he was a small child. While he has no memory of that event, he once told me, I cant recall a time when I didnt love Jesus. This love for Jesus led him to spend his life as an instrument to help others learn to love God and his word and to strengthen their grip on him. While a student at Southern Methodist University, he helped in founding the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship chapter there and led a Young Life club at a nearby high school. In the army, he and a friend started a Young Life-styled club on the post for high school kids who hung out by the pool. At Dallas Theological Seminary, he and my mother, Carolyn, led a young couples Sunday school class

at a local church. In 1961, he left Texas and took a position as one of the pastors at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California. He served on the PBC staff for seventeen years alongside Ray Stedman, who became an important mentor. His roles included youth pastor, minister of childrens education, and minister to students at Stanford University. The Stanford years coincided with the Jesus Movement of the late 60s, and the college group that met on campus grew to over 500 students. In the 1970s he would become a teaching pastor at PBC and director of Scribe School, a school dedicated to training and equipping men and women for ministry. In 1978, after completing his course work and language requirements toward a PhD in Near Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley, he answered a call to move to Boise, Idaho, and become senior pastor at Cole Community Church. He served in that capacity (along with my mother who worked in womens ministries) for seventeen years. During that time, the small church that started on the corner of Cole and Fairview grew into one of the largest evangelical churches in Idaho (I should mention that my dad has never been a numbers guy when it comes to ministry). He also started The Fellowship, an inter-denominational group of men who met on Wednesday mornings for over 25 years in order to encourage one another in their faith. My dad counted himself among those most encouraged by those weekly gatherings. In 1995, my dad resigned his position as the senior pastor at

Cole Community Church, and he and my mother co-founded Idaho Mountain Ministries, a ministry of support and encouragement for clergy couples across the state, a work they continue today. Over the years, he has written fourteen books, numerous essays and articles, a religious column for the Idaho Statesman and devotionals for Our Daily Bread. Best of all (from my perspective) he has been a loving dad and a steady role model to my two brothers, Randy and Joshua, and me. And he has been a devoted husband as well as a best friend to my mother. What follows is a summation of the observations co-workers in ministry and family have made regarding David Ropers life and ministry. I greatly appreciate the many insights and kind words from those who helped me in this endeavor.

1. Ministry Grows out of Personal Faith

The Essential Thing is to Center on God ne of the enduring childhood images I have of my dad is seeing him first thing in the morning, still in robe and slippers, sipping coffee and reading his Bible. He wasnt preparing a sermon or working on a new book. He was sitting at Jesus feet and getting to know him. Make time for God

and rest in his love was the simple belief that he lived out daily. Well never have anything worthwhile to say, he wrote in his book In Quietness and Confidence, until we start taking in Gods words. . . The more we receive, the more we have to give. Its through prayerful, thoughtful Bible reading and quiet meditation that he speaks from His depths to ours (p. 102). The first priority for one in ministry, he would say, is to develop intimacy with God. From a pastor in an IMM group: David would often bring me back to a healthy place of balance, saying, Ministry is for us, by which he meant that I needed to be careful to remember Gods work in my own heart and life as I sought to shepherd others. From a former PBC pastor: He taught me to love the Bible and to believe that I could discover its message in my own study, listening to the text and the Spirit. From a former PBC pastor: It is Davids love of God that is transmitted through both his life and teaching that draws us into fellowship with the Father. Dependence on God

he theme verse for Idaho Mountain Ministries is The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24) In fact, my dad long ago taped that verse above the computer in his office as a daily reminder.

He and my mother believe anything of eternal significance that happens in their ministry is Gods doing. Dependence on God for wisdom, direction, strength and love is the hallmark of my dads ministry. Furthermore, he has long taught that the goal of spiritual leaders is to help others become independently dependent on Christ. He writes in A Burden Shared, If anything is to be done, God must do it. The people who work the works of God are those who realize their utter unfitness and overwhelming inadequacy to do the task. We are weak in Him is not a platitude but a certainty. It irks us to think of ourselves so useless, but therein lies our strength. (p.15) From a former Cole Community Church pastor: All that you accomplished in my life, and the lives of countless others, is because Christ is working in and through you. Christ is glorified in you, because it is Christ in you who has done the loving and wise work through you. Genuine Humility t wasnt until I was in my early twenties that I learned that my dad had been student body president and valedictorian of Dallas Theological Seminary. My mother told me. The most consistent theme from those who reflected on my dads life and ministry is that he is a man of God-centered humility. A former Stanford student summed it up this way: Daves example of humility spoke much louder than even

his well-prepared Bible studies. My dad is not one to self-promote or dominate social situations. He prefers to be on the edges rather than in the center. He prefers the small places to the big time. He has never sought status or recognition. Rather than tell his own tales, he likes to listen to the stories of others. He isnt a real fan of titles either. David is what he has always asked to be called. This humility, I believe, grew out of a firm understanding that he is deeply loved by God and that God cares for him. He doesnt need to look out for himself or defend himself because he knows God is looking out for him. In The Strength of a Man, he writes, Humility releases Gods greatness. If pride leads to every other vice, humility leads to every other virtue. Humility is the basis of our life with God and our usefulness in this world.(p. 34) Rather than take credit for what some would call achievements, my dad instead tends to point others to the Father and say, Look there. From a former Stanford student: He never tried to impress you with what he knew or who he was. It was a genuine humility, or maybe better put a willingness to let God speak through him. From a former PBC pastor: The way I would like to be, another David Roper is to become a person who walks humbly with God and loves others. His transparent humility before Him and others inspires me to be the same.

From a PBC pastor: It is humility that creates gentleness. David was gentle with me and I doubt that was always easy. I remember his willingness to take on simple tasks I should have volunteered for, but I was too immature. He remained cheerfully gentle. I noticed, and it left a deep impression on me. From a former PBC pastors wife: As Gods faithful and gifted messenger, he was a conduit of grace to the multitudes on the Stanford campus. It was a ministry that excelled, meriting wide and public acclaim. Rather there was a quiet, unassuming pleasure in God-at-work, all glory attributed to Him.

2. A Philosophy of Ministry
Befriend Others and Impart Truth nce my dad spoke at chapel during Christian Commitment Week at the university I attended. The director of campus ministries confided in my dad that he was frustrated with his inability to develop discipleship groups with students on campus despite attempting several strategies. My dads advice was simple: Take off your coat and tie, hang out with students, meet them where they are, and then share the truths of the Gospel with them. This concise view of ministry - befriending and imparting has shaped his ministry with college students, interns, elders

and pastors alike. For him, love and truth have always fit together. But truth without love is empty and cold. Without truth, love is merely sentimental. Discipleship, therefore involves these two areas: building relationships first and then sharing the Scriptures to those we befriend. From a former PBC intern: What I took away from David was how to love men and what a high calling it was to help move them along in their walk with Christ. David modeled Pauls direction to Timothy to entrust the truth to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. From a pastor in an IMM group: Most of all, I am glad for your friendship. Being befriended by you and Carolyn has been one of my most valued experiences in nearly sixty years of ministry. From a former Stanford student: Davids mentoring set me on the path of a lifetime. His encouragement of me was a precious gift . . . my faith thrived because of David Roper. Ministry Works Best as a Team esides being a source of encouragement, a sounding board, and a best friend, my mother, Carolyn, has also been a co-laborer in all my dads ministries. Two together are stronger than one, and this has been the case with this partnership for more than fifty years. Their gifts compliment each other. My dad is an idea guy and a dreamer while my mother shines in implementing programs and turning plans

into action. It has been a total team effort. But beyond that, I have observed my mother in the important role of advocate and supporter of my dad, especially when times have been tough. In A Burden Shared, my dad speaks from his own experience when he says, Leadership tends to isolate; leaders get lonely. Theyre treated differently from other folks, expected to be more nearly perfect. Theyre put on pedestals and stranded up there. Yet theyre mere mortals with profoundly human needs, who mainly want someone to care for them . . . someone who will love them enough to stay on their team no matter what they do (p. 130). My mother has always been that someone. From a pastoral couple in Boise: We speak of both David and Carolyn because we see and know both of these individuals, but they really seem to us as one. We cannot think of the blessings we have received from them and our friendship with them without thinking of them both. They are truly the one flesh relationship, continually deepening in the Lord spoken of in Scripture and the model they have been in this regard is unique and priceless. Thoughtfully Relate Biblical Truths to Real Life y dad is skilled in presenting complex concepts in a simple and engaging way. Whenever I listen to him teach a passage I find new ways of understanding God and relevant ways to apply the Gospel in my own world. He takes a fresh approach to communicating timeless truths. His

illustrations range from a fly fishing metaphor to a carefully chosen George McDonald quote to a story of a childhood journey with his yellow hound and single-shot .410. A fellow Bible teacher once said of him, (David) has the uncanny ability to hurdle the obvious, making the mysteries of the Bible drop anchor into ordinary lives. His penetrating insights, I believe, come from a wisdom fostered from years of study, prayer and reflection on the Bible, especially the Old Testament. Wisdom comes from hearing the Word of God, he says in The Strength of a Man. The way to wise up, then is to listen to God and hear what He has to say. Wise men go by the Book. They may read many books, but they read all books by the Book. (p116) From a former Stanford student: For Dave, the Bible is where we start. It was the sure word that led us to God. But it was not an academic or pedantic focus on Scripture for scriptures sake. It wasnt magic. It was a way to get near a thin place where the reality of God could break through into our experience. From a former PBC pastor: Whenever I heard a word from David, invariably it seemed to be the unmistakable voice of Jesus, not only because of the purity of its content, but also it was that rare manner of speaking. Words crystal clear in their beauty, yet laced with a potent compassion to still any storm. From a former PBC intern: Through Davids teaching of the Scriptures, I became mesmerized at how penetrating and personal the Word could be. I became convinced how relevant and practical the Bible

really is. Ive never lost that respect for the Word of God. Show Trust and Confidence in Others have heard several versions of the same story. A young man excited about his faith asks my dad to lead a Bible study for a small group of his friends, and my dad responds this way: No I wont, but I will teach you and you will lead the study. The common refrain from men he discipled is David really believed in me when I needed it and stayed alongside me through the process. My dad wants the best for people and he saw the best in those he mentored. In A Burden Shared he writes, Leadership means preferring others, furthering their causes, seeking their good, encouraging their growth, bearing their evil (as long as it does not corrupt others), being gentle and humble doing for others what God Himself has done for us. (p.39) From a former Cole Community Church pastor: One of the things I will always appreciate about David is the high degree of trust he placed in me, and his expressed confidence in my ability to do ministry in so many different areas. Undoubtedly he trusted me more than I was worthy of, but I so appreciated this trust and his allowing me to partner with him. From a former Stanford student: When you reached out to me . . . you must have seen a silly, shallow-minded girl but the Christ in you saw more.

Recurring Themes in David Ropers Teachings

nyone who has spent significant time listening to my dads messages or reading from his books or E-musings knows that he cycles through fundamental themes that he believes to be most meaningful to our faith. He hits them from different sides, but they generally come back to the grace and love of God. These are some of his core beliefs: There is a loving God who wants to woo us. He is the Hound of Heaven. God resists the proud but lifts up the humble. It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance. Storms in life are opportunities for growth and character-building. To be faithful is far greater than to be successful. Numbers, planning, techniques, and methods are no good apart from God. The inherent power of truth. Truth sets up a sympathetic vibration in the soul. When we speak truth, the conscience resonates with it. The preeminence of Scripture the Bible is where we start. We cant by moral effort change ourselves, but by abiding in Christ in solitude and surrender we become more like Him. The Church is people, not buildings (Cole Community Church Meets Here were the words on the sign in front of the building). People are to be shepherded, not driven.

A Life that Rings True or much of his life, my dad has been a public figure and the face of several acclaimed ministries. But for me, it is in his private life where his character has shown the brightest. Because it is here that I have seen that the same core values, ideals and absolutes govern all areas of his life. He is the same whether at home or away - in public or in private. He is not perfect, but he is true all the way through. My brothers have observed this same integrity of heart. Josh said, I think one of my dads greatest qualities is how he lives his life. He has accomplished so much, inspired so many people . . . but what I have seen first hand, as his son, still amazes me. And Randy adds, Dad lives each day as an example of the way Jesus walked the earth. For my brothers and me, his life has done much to validate his message. My dad turns eighty soon. He tells me his energy level is not what it once was, and he moves a little slower. But he has shown me that getting older doesnt necessarily mean becoming obsolete. For my dad, growing older means continuing to grow closer to God and helping others move in that direction. I know he will continue to minister and serve with a joyful heart until the end of his days. In a way, he reminds me of one of his heroes, the feisty, old, die-hard Caleb, who at eighty-five years of age stormed the ridge where the Anakites lived and drove the giants from the summit. And like Caleb, he too, continues wholeheartedly to follow the Lord, passing his faith on to the next generation, confident that God is at work through him.

Acknowledgements I want to acknowledge the following people and thank them for their contributions: Jerri Rudnick, Kellie Gilbert, Howard G. Hendricks, Diana Haibel, Daniel & Becky Romans, Jim Gordon, Bob and Suzy Beede, Mike Snell, Gene Arnold, Phil Hughes, Russ and Audrey Adkins, Nancy Rae, Bud Ortlund, Dave Garr, Rob Zaklan, Don and Chris Pettinger, Steve and Karen Penner, Kris and Becky Rudell, George Carras, Greg and Jeanelle Reider, Linda Broesamle, Bill Tankersley, Pat Curtis, Brian Morgan, Rick Cruse, Steve Zeisler, Steve Newman, Steve Roe, Bruce True, Elaine Stedman, Fred Prudek, Robert K. Prudhomme, Jack Crabtree, Howard and Carris Smith, Patricia Weaver, Neil Smith, Don McClean, Paul Murray, Joshua Roper, Randy Roper, Carolyn Roper

Cover photos by

Joshua Roper