An Open Letter to Rick Atchley

Rick, I know that most of the times when someone writes a letter like this there’s a chance that it’s not a good one. Anybody who does something significant with their life is going to have their detractors, and you’ve got yours. But, in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood…who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

And so for once, I thought it might be nice to have a public letter like this:

When we first met I was an outreach intern, I heard you preach for the first time and thought “This guy’s got some game.” So I asked you to hang out. You kindly said that you were busy. Something about running the largest church of Christ in the world. You may not remember this, but I told you that I’d mow your lawn or wash your car to free up some time for you. And you did. Thanks for spending time with me, without taking me up on that. My landscaping skills are pretty shaky.

But despite your busy schedule (and trust me I now understand just how busy it is) You gave me two Scriptures, John 12:1-11 and Philippians 2:1-12, and asked me to show how I’d preach them. And that’s how it all started…

The last few years have been better for me than any seminary. You’ve taught me that God isn’t just a good idea, and the local church really is worth giving your life to. And so in honor of you, I’ve got 3 points…

1. Thanks for teaching me how to be a pastor. A lot of people know how to preach, and you certainly know how to do that. You’re my favorite preacher. You know how to look at stories that we’ve heard a thousand times and bring something new out of it. But you are more than just a good speaker. You are a pastor because you care about people.

You’ve taught me how to think systematically and individually at the same time.I’ve seen how you make time for people who needed it the most. Whether it’s at the foot of a hospital bed or at your desk for counseling. When you preach you’re not just preaching to the ambiguous ”masses” you write your sermons for the people you know and love.  I remember going to see Lil Pitchford in the hospital with you after her cancer had come back. You had a thousand things to do that week, but nothing was as important as seeing Lil.  You’re a great pastor Rick, and that makes your preaching even better.

But you also care about being a pastor to pastors. Nobody knows about all the calls and notes you write to other preachers to just encourage them in their ministry. You do it without any agenda, just because you think the Kingdom of God needs preachers, and you know how rewarding, and tough, this job can be.

2. Thanks for teaching me how to be a husband and father. I remember before I got to know you, I thought the greatest thing about you was your teaching gift. But now I think it’s your family. So many of the successful men I know have rough home lives. But you haven’t succeeded in spite of your family, but through them. You involve them appropriately.

I remember 6 or 7 years ago, I found out that you liked Dumb and Dumber (let’s be honest…who doesn’t) and that surprised me. But your reason for why you watched it, and Nacho Libre or Napolean Dynamite, has stuck with me. You said, you watched those movies because they made your family laugh, and you liked to hear their joy.

Your kids love you Rick. My kids love you. Yesterday, Eden was on the stage when they played your blessing video, and she screamed and pointed “Rick and Jamie!” And rightfully so, you and Jamie are some of the most genuine, selfless people I know.  And Morgan, Matthew and Michael really are great kids. They’ve got good hearts and you’ve let them be their own people. Y’all hang out together, you enjoy one another’s company, whether it’s eating pizza at ZuRoma’s or doing P90x together to burn it off. You know when to work and when to play. Thanks for teaching that to me.

3. This is a big one. You believe in people. It’s not that you’re naive about human nature, or haven’t seen some people act like rear ends. But you haven’t let that change the way you look at others. You assume the best about people. I’ve never once heard you say something about someone that didn’t give them the benefit of the doubt. And it affected the entire church staff. I heard Mike Washburn (the RHCC executive minister) say once that this is the reason RHCC has a culture of trusting the church staff. Because you do. This comes out in your preaching, your ministry and your friendship.

I know you’re going to say that you didn’t have a major impact on my ministry. I’ve already heard you tell people that I would have been a great preacher whether I worked with you or not. And I know you believe that.

I don’t.

You’ve invested in me, and I will never forget you’re friendship and partnership. I would have never cared so much about preaching, or thought that it could make such a difference if you wouldn’t have been there. You showed me the power of the spoken word, a love for the Scriptures, and how to communicate (to more than 10 people). And because you’ve invested so much in others, without fanfare or the need for recognition, we won’t know until God makes everything right just how big your impact has been. But I know one thing…

I’d be honored if my life and ministry was half that of yours.

You’re a good and godly man Rick Atchley.

The Storment’s love you.

Peace,

Jonathan

Deuteronomy 34:9-10