A life dedicated to service: 50 years of preaching for the same congregation

Bernie Crum, pictured with his wife, Janice, served as pulpit minister for the Flat River Church of Christ in Missouri for 50 years.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan writes:

As Christmas approached this year, Janice Crum noticed something slightly amiss with her husband. She told him he seemed fidgety. That is not a word that would normally be applied to Bernie Crum. He borders on serene.
But when a woman has been married to a man for 56 years, she has a certain sense about these things, and upon reflection, Bernie had to admit that yes, he was feeling fidgety.
For the first time in almost 60 years, he would not be giving a Christmas message.
“I guess I’m like a racehorse ready to run, but there is no race,” he told me when I visited earlier this week.
For the last 50 years, Bernie has been the minister at the Flat River Church of Christ. He retired in November. He and his wife still live in the parsonage across the street from the church. Because of their long service to the church, the parsonage will remain their residence for as long as they live.
By the way, the Church of Christ is not big on titles. A minister is not addressed as Reverend or Father. He is addressed as Brother, a title also used for church elders.

Read the full column.
See a Christian Chronicle story from November on Crum’s retirement.

• Feedback
  Brother Bernie:
  Congratulations for the 50th anniversary of served to the Lord, it’s extensive to your beloved wife.
  Alexander & Silvia Castellanos
  Church of Christ
  Missioneries in El Salvador, Central America
  since February 1974
  I graduated from Sunset School of Preaching
  in Lubbock, Texas

  Alexander Castellanos

  December, 28 2010

  Dearly Belovwd Brother and Sister Crum,
  May the lord continue to be with you and keep you safe and sound. You two worth all the care and support the brethren at Flat Church of Christ can give you.
  I am hopeful and assured that after this life, there will be a home in Heaven for you.
  its rear in Africa to see a preacher serve for 10 yrs in a particular congregations. there are much to learn from your partnership with the Christians thre.
  Yours in Christ;
  UChenna F. Bekee
  Church of Christ;
  Iriebe
  Rivers State
  Nigeria,
  West Africa.

  Bekee UChenna F.

  December, 28 2010

  Brother and Sister Crum,
  I would like to extend to you my congratulations and appreciation for your 50+ years of service in the Lord’s work.
  I read with great interest the article about your 50 years of service with the same congregation. What a legacy!
  Thank you for the wonderful example.
  Your brother,
  David Riley
  Mars Hill Church of Christ
  Vilonia, Arkansas

  David Riley

  December, 28 2010

  Dear Bernie and Janice,
  What a lovely article! We have such fond memories of you two from our years at CRC – and it was great to see you at “The Bash” last year. May God bless you with many more years together in His service!

  Larry & Sara Bills

  December, 28 2010

  Congratulations, Bernie & Janice, on your life-long ministry and 50 years at Flat River! May God bless you both in your retirement!

  Alan Taylor

  December, 29 2010

  Bernie, I applaud your many years of service at Flat River. You deserve a break.
  When you get rested, there are many small preacherless congregations that could use your help!
  May God bless you with many more years of service to come!

  Christian Servant

  December, 29 2010

  God has blessed you, Bernie & Janice, for your life-time of service. May He continue to bless even more.

  Gary Turner

  December, 29 2010

  It’s refreshing and a renewing of the spirit to read about a Saint remaining true to the truth for 50 + years. Praise God for steadfastness! amen?
  Thanks brother Bernie and sister Janice.
  rb
  atlanta ga

  robert brooks

  January, 1 2011