The funeral of Colin Klabe
CROSS PURPOSES 105
14th November 2007
One of St Pauls long standing members died last Sunday. The name Colin Klabe is probably unknown to most of you and carries no weight. Colin was 64. He’d been sick and declining for a long time. He just sort of faded away.
Colin was no visionary of the prophetic church. You’d never call him a “charismatic”. Wasn’t given to the making of stirring speeches at Annual Meetings. Wasn’t one to go creating trouble and mischief either. A quiet man, peace loving, never pushed himself into the public eye and able to be almost invisible. Yet the hole he leaves in our church is enormous.
Consider the following quote from a note which arrived by email from the USA soon after the news got out:
“Laura and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Colin Klabe. At the same time we celebrate Colin’s graduation into heaven! His memory has a lasting and positive place in our hearts.
Colin had a tremendous impact on our lives while we lived in Sydney. Colin has that gentle spirit and always made us feel welcome at church. In fact, when Laura and I attended other churches in the states, we would always look for the “Colin” of the church. Colin set the standard for engaging with people of all ages. He is a true saint and a big part of the congregation to welcome us to St Pauls. Our faith grew knowing Colin. Colin and Ruth always welcomed us and many times opened their home to us (and many others) who were away from home for the holidays.
Mark & Laura Kurtz
Mark captures it perfectly. Every church needs a “Colin”. I’ve never known anyone with such a heart for Jesus and his people – a heart for helping people connect quickly and easily. He didn’t welcome people. He became the welcome. Time after time I’d check with him about visitors and he’d have the info at his fingertips. He saw his role among God’s people and lived it out. He did lots of other stuff around the place but the business of “being Colin” was what really blessed St Pauls since he was confirmed in 1957 – ie he did it for 50 years!!
St Pauls has a rich history which was largely built around the Colins of this world. You can build a church on “Colins”. They are simply “there”. The great gift they bring is to be present, rain, hail or shine. You never have to wonder where they are – they’ll be there doing the simple, helpful, tidy up things without an ounce of fuss or bother.
So, think God for Colin and Colins!
And, in what way are you a Colin? In what way can you be a Colin? How able are you to break the Baby Boomer / Gen X / Gen Y moulds, seize the day, and allow yourself to commit to Jesus Christ’s cause for the blessing, the Kingdom blessing, of others who need Jesus Christ?
So there! I dare you to risk being a Colin.
Fred
PS – Colin just adored his Lord!
14th November 2007
One of St Pauls long standing members died last Sunday. The name Colin Klabe is probably unknown to most of you and carries no weight. Colin was 64. He’d been sick and declining for a long time. He just sort of faded away.
Colin was no visionary of the prophetic church. You’d never call him a “charismatic”. Wasn’t given to the making of stirring speeches at Annual Meetings. Wasn’t one to go creating trouble and mischief either. A quiet man, peace loving, never pushed himself into the public eye and able to be almost invisible. Yet the hole he leaves in our church is enormous.
Consider the following quote from a note which arrived by email from the USA soon after the news got out:
“Laura and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Colin Klabe. At the same time we celebrate Colin’s graduation into heaven! His memory has a lasting and positive place in our hearts.
Colin had a tremendous impact on our lives while we lived in Sydney. Colin has that gentle spirit and always made us feel welcome at church. In fact, when Laura and I attended other churches in the states, we would always look for the “Colin” of the church. Colin set the standard for engaging with people of all ages. He is a true saint and a big part of the congregation to welcome us to St Pauls. Our faith grew knowing Colin. Colin and Ruth always welcomed us and many times opened their home to us (and many others) who were away from home for the holidays.
Mark & Laura Kurtz
Mark captures it perfectly. Every church needs a “Colin”. I’ve never known anyone with such a heart for Jesus and his people – a heart for helping people connect quickly and easily. He didn’t welcome people. He became the welcome. Time after time I’d check with him about visitors and he’d have the info at his fingertips. He saw his role among God’s people and lived it out. He did lots of other stuff around the place but the business of “being Colin” was what really blessed St Pauls since he was confirmed in 1957 – ie he did it for 50 years!!
St Pauls has a rich history which was largely built around the Colins of this world. You can build a church on “Colins”. They are simply “there”. The great gift they bring is to be present, rain, hail or shine. You never have to wonder where they are – they’ll be there doing the simple, helpful, tidy up things without an ounce of fuss or bother.
So, think God for Colin and Colins!
And, in what way are you a Colin? In what way can you be a Colin? How able are you to break the Baby Boomer / Gen X / Gen Y moulds, seize the day, and allow yourself to commit to Jesus Christ’s cause for the blessing, the Kingdom blessing, of others who need Jesus Christ?
So there! I dare you to risk being a Colin.
Fred
PS – Colin just adored his Lord!
posted by PastorFredVeerhuis at 2:21 PM
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