May 24, 2007
A Pastor Resigns
It is hard to measure the influence of a man on one’s personal life and ministry, but if I had to guess who has had the most impact on my ministry it would have to be Doug McLachlan. I happened to be at Northland Baptist Bible College during his five-year tenure as Chairman of the Bible Department. If asked what it was particularly about Doug McLachlan that had such an impact on my life, I would say without hesitation that it was his handling of the Word of God. I had simply never heard that kind of preaching before I heard him. He opened a whole new world to me.
I doubt that Doug McLachlan would be proud of my accolades. But, then again, I don’t think he would ever be proud. He is humble and irenic. And I certainly understand how Fourth Baptist Church is sad to say farewell to their beloved pastor. His last Sunday as their pastor was just last Lord’s Day.
Though I have hardly talked to or listened to McLachlan in the last 14 years, his influence must still linger. Recently, I was a guest speaker at a meeting when an elderly woman came up to me and said, “I could swear that you learned how to preach from my pastor, Doug McLachlan.” I was so flattered I could hardly stammer an appreciation.
Again, I am sure this would be painfully difficult for Doug McLachlan to hear! But, nonetheless, though the dear woman may have been making a sentimental guess, she was right about one thing: I still consciously remember McLachlan’s lectures on preaching. It was one of the few classes I was passionately serious about. Actually, all of his classes were my passions. I know I learned stuff. (I use the word “stuff” reminiscently. He said, “Preachers, words are the stuff of our craft.”)
I just wish someone would tell me, “You are so humble and irenic. You must have been a disciple of McLachlan.” Alas! I have far to go.
However, all that to say this: a member of McLachlan’s church has written a nice tribute. You ought to read it.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Church Ministry
I too had the priviledge of sitting under Dr. McLachlan for four years. I was always so excited when I would hear that he was preaching in chapel (besides a great expository message I knew that I would add a new word to my vocabulary).
In addition, his classes were fantastic even though I knew we would only get through about a third of the notes. Perhaps my favorite class ever was Biblical Foundations.
He is the one person who initiated in me a love for the Word.
I always enjoyed hearing Dr. McLachlan preach. He always used at least one word that I had to look up. Today is no different: what in the world does ‘irenic’ mean and why have I never heard it before?
Posted by: Coach C at May 24, 2007 03:28 PMThanks for your comments Pastor Bixby. Also thanks for linking to Ryan’s post. Pastor MacLachlan really is a model to follow. This is true in every area of his life, from what I can tell. His preaching is always thoughful and expositional. But for those of who have known him, we all testify to his genuine interest and kindness. He is a very busy man, but always takes the time to talk, at least a little bit. I really appreciate that.
Posted by: Duane Scott at May 25, 2007 04:08 AMBob,
Some very good observations about Dr. McLachlan. I also learned so much from his classes, his preaching, and his life.
As Shannon posted, I knew he would never get through all of the notes, but I learned more from his partial notes than from a whole bookshelf of notes. The “stuff” that he taught us helped prepare us in unimaginable ways.
It was a blessing to see how seriously he took his sermon preparations. He spent countless hours studying with such a passion.
I know that his passion had a tremendous affect on me and how I approach my ministry.
I always appreciated the personal interest that Dr. McLachlan took in each one of us. He really was a great influence
I have actually referred to my Biblical Foundations notes very recently.
I enjoyed his teaching/preaching very much also.
Posted by: Malissa at July 9, 2007 11:41 PM
