December 2025 A Time to Retire
I don’t feel old! I know it is the right time for me to retire, so I must be old. The mirror confirms it even as my mind is in denial. I trust the bible is right saying, “Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31) That being the case, I have had my crown of splendour for many years.
We read in the Psalms, “‘Listen to me … you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:3–4) I witness to the truth of these verses, knowing God has been with me throughout my life.
At the end of my ministry the view back through time covers many years. Looking back, I am pleased to see the hand of God has been guiding and sustaining me. I never imagined I would be called to Greyfriars in Auckland. Yet over 50 years ago the seeds were sown by Rev Wynford Davies who, prior to being my minister in Invercargill, had ministered at Greyfriars. He and his family spoke highly of Greyfriars, and I see in this the hand of God at work.
As I approach retirement I have flashes of memories, cause to reflect and much to ponder about my life and ministry. I recall the Bartleys, Ron and Lofi, Mike Legg, Heather Smith and other dear souls who have passed away during my time here. Don’t mistake this for melancholy, rather a sweet remembrance of pillars of faith, encouragers, brothers and sisters in the Lord.
At Parish Council this week I distributed a list of highlights from 2012 until the present. So many people, events and special occasions. I had only arrived when we needed to leave the church because of earthquake regulations and before we could catch our breath we began the amalgamation. There are many highlights to celebrate, not the least of which is the way we supported each other through the covid lockdowns. I recall the screen full of faces as we became zoom experts and continued to meet in difficult circumstances. My heart swells at the thought of all the children who have taken part in our holiday programmes, and all the wonderful leaders who made the programmes so successful.
And so, as Melanie and I approach retirement we trust, Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. We are ready for a new season, with new experiences, and serving God in new ways. And we are confident God will carry you, the Greyfriars Church family, to rich blessings in the years ahead.
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
God bless you
John Malcolm
We read in the Psalms, “‘Listen to me … you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:3–4) I witness to the truth of these verses, knowing God has been with me throughout my life.
At the end of my ministry the view back through time covers many years. Looking back, I am pleased to see the hand of God has been guiding and sustaining me. I never imagined I would be called to Greyfriars in Auckland. Yet over 50 years ago the seeds were sown by Rev Wynford Davies who, prior to being my minister in Invercargill, had ministered at Greyfriars. He and his family spoke highly of Greyfriars, and I see in this the hand of God at work.
As I approach retirement I have flashes of memories, cause to reflect and much to ponder about my life and ministry. I recall the Bartleys, Ron and Lofi, Mike Legg, Heather Smith and other dear souls who have passed away during my time here. Don’t mistake this for melancholy, rather a sweet remembrance of pillars of faith, encouragers, brothers and sisters in the Lord.
At Parish Council this week I distributed a list of highlights from 2012 until the present. So many people, events and special occasions. I had only arrived when we needed to leave the church because of earthquake regulations and before we could catch our breath we began the amalgamation. There are many highlights to celebrate, not the least of which is the way we supported each other through the covid lockdowns. I recall the screen full of faces as we became zoom experts and continued to meet in difficult circumstances. My heart swells at the thought of all the children who have taken part in our holiday programmes, and all the wonderful leaders who made the programmes so successful.
And so, as Melanie and I approach retirement we trust, Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. We are ready for a new season, with new experiences, and serving God in new ways. And we are confident God will carry you, the Greyfriars Church family, to rich blessings in the years ahead.
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
God bless you
John Malcolm