Hello. My name is Eric Morgan, and this is my open letter regarding two men, two pastors, who have greatly affected and encouraged my walk with God and ultimately my outlook on life.
There is an old hymn which states the following lyrics: “Tears unavailing, no merit had I/Mercy had saved me, or else I must die/Sin had alarmed me, fearing God’s face/Only a sinner, saved by grace.” Although I am aware that these lyrics should be joyfully sung by all believers, they hold a special meaning to my heart. I am a man who has made many mistakes, sinned more times than I dare think about, and flagrantly rebelled against the one whom I plead to have mercy on me. The man who knows the most detail about my struggles and sin, outside of my father, is also the man who has most consistently pointed me to the gospel of grace: Benny Phillips, a pastor at Metro Life Church.
I attended Metro from the age of 5 until i was 19 years old. Never once did I go into Benny’s office. Never once did we have an “official” counseling session. However, because his son, Jake, is one of my closest friends, I had the unique opportunity of spending quite a bit of time when he wasn’t at work, when he wasn’t doing his job per se, but was simply being my friend. I now realize after nights spent confessing sin at 2 in the morning after watching awesome movies, the chats at Burger King after high school basketball games, even the summer days spiking on Benny’s head while playing pool volleyball in his pool, that for Benny, and many other pastors that I know, this isn’t a job. This isn’t a paycheck. This is their life. This is their passion. Benny has been such an example of the true meanings of forgiveness and grace time and time again, and he’s done it not just because he’s a pastor, but because he cares for my soul. Because he simply wants me to love my Savior more. Counsel doesn’t have to be given in an office, or maybe, every once in a while, at a Starbucks. It can be given at the beach, or in a hot tub, or after the Celtics schnarckle the Magic. That’s what Benny has taught me, and hes done so by sharing his wisdom and love for me.
I remember a specific time where I was at the Phillips’ home to hangout with Jake and spend the night. However lurking in the back of my mind was something I needed to confess to Benny and his wife, Sheree. I had sinned against them in the form of aiding and actually quite directly encouraging their son to join me in a particular form of sin. We were sitting in their living room, catching up and to my surprise Mrs. Phillips said ‘Eric, Are you doing ok? There seems to be something troubling you.’ I said, ‘Wow, I’m going to pretend like you didn’t just read my mind, and give credit to the Lord for telling me “now is the time!” I proceeded to confess to them and began to become emotional. When I was done stating the offenses that I had laid firstly upon our Lord and Savior, but secondly against the two of them, Benny said to me, paraphrased (in his drawn out, rather funny accent with a hint of Alabama), ‘Son, your forgiven! We definitely forgive you and more importantly your savior Jesus Christ forgives you! Please feel no condemnation for your sin because we don’t wish that on you and neither does your Savior!’
I was appalled. Here I was, cowering behind my sin and unable to muster up the courage to confess to them, of fear of what they might think of me, and their immediate response was one of grace! It dawned on me, just because Benny is a pastor does not mean he is more covered in Christ’s righteousness than I am, or more acceptable to God. He does, however, have an understanding of grace that I did not have. I think, among many other responsibilities, it is a pastor’s job to help their flock understand the nature of God, along with His immeasurable qualities and virtues. In my case Benny helped me understand Grace more fully! I was so blessed by that time! They proceeded to pray for me and our conversation went into the early hours of the morning! I felt so cared for and so loved, and I was blown away. I’m a punk 21 year old kid, yet Benny and Sheree put aside their desire for sleep, or desire to do anything other than listen to the problems of this kid, and on the contrary took time to really listen and love me enough to spend time with me. I was blown away and will forever remember that night, and will forever be indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips for the impact that they have had on my life.
Recently the Lord had called me to move to Grace Church where I quickly was reacquainted with David Traugott, someone I have known for a very long time but never really had any in depth conversations, or any real friendship.
The reason I want to honor David Traugott, my current pastor at Grace Church, is because of how seriously he takes counseling me. David doesn’t just spout out advice gleaned from experience; he fears God enough to pour over his word, to study Scripture and to pray for wisdom so that the counsel and help he gives me is from the Word of God, and not from the wisdom of men. I want to honor him for consistently helping me mortify my sin and shore up my convictions, for not just telling me what I want to hear, but what I need to hear. As skeptical as I was in my transition to Grace Church I quickly found the same love and care from David and Kelly Traugott that I had previously received from Benny and Sheree. David has challenged me, corrected me, listened to me, and cared for me in a way only parallel to that of my own parents! He has invested his time and resources in me continually because he realizes one of his roles as a pastor is to care for his congregation. While Benny showed me that being a pastor is not just a job, but a lifestyle, David has shown me how seriously and how dedicated he, and I’m sure many others, are to obeying God in their role as pastor.
Though there are many differences between the Phillips and Traugotts I.E. David is in his 30’s Benny is about one step away from the grave (or maybe he just looks that way on the basketball court), David has been a pastor for 10 years, Benny for 30, but the common theme of both of these men, that have impacted my life is their care and love for me! They both exemplify the true role of a pastor to me in that they humbly, but consistently care for the souls of their church.
Benny Phillips and David Traugott, and many others beside, are truly worthy of double honor. I thank God for them, and I hope my encouragement of them encourages you. Let us praise Christ as we point out the ways that He is working in our leaders. These men are by no means perfect and they would be the first ones to attest to that statement, but our Savior who died for us is most certainly spotless!!! My prayer for whomever reads this is to be encouraged by the Lord’s work in the lives of the pastors that lay their lives down for people (sinners) like me and you. As that same hymn also states, “This is my story, to God be the glory!”
My name is Garrett Watkins. I have been part of Sovereign Grace Church in Atlanta, Georgia since I was 3 years old. I have grown up in the church and truly have blessed by the gospel-centered preaching that never ceases to leave me wanting more.
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