Updated 9/17/07 - Excerpt from Dr. Dobson's sermon printed below
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Dr. James Dobson preached the sermon at Dr .D. James Kennedy's funeral. Dr. Kennedy passed away on September 5, 2007. A complete webcast of the inspiring 2 hour service may be found here. A generation of Christian leaders is passing.
WorldNetDaily has posted a partial transcript of Dr. James Dobson's sermon titled "Who Will Answer the Call?"
The passing of Dr. D. James Kennedy, which we mourn today, poses serious concerns about the future of the conservative Christian movement. Its senior leadership is undergoing a dramatic and inevitable change at this time. Many patriarchs of the church are coming to the end of their journeys, and are leaving this earth one by one. In the past few years, we've lost Dr. Bill Bright, Dr. Adrian Rogers, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Dr. Ted Engstrom, Mrs. Ruth Bell Graham, and now, Dr. Kennedy.
So many other leaders who have been used mightily by the Lord in the past 40 or 50 years are about to hand the
mantle down to the next generation. Chuck Colson, Dr. Chuck Swindoll, Dr. Billy Graham, Dr. Pat Robertson, Dr. Luis Palau and others are in their 70s or 80s. While we wish them long life, it is likely that their time of greatest influence will soon come to an end. We shouldn't be reluctant to acknowledge that reality, because it is the way of all flesh. But it causes me to wonder who will be left to carry the banner when this generation of leaders is gone. God has always ordained men and women to fulfill His purposes, and I know He will do it again. But the question is, will the younger generation heed the call?
Who will defend the unborn child in years to come? Who will speak for the aged who are no longer productive? Who will plead for the Terri Schiavos of the world who can be starved to death legally for having the misfortune of being disabled? Who's going to fight for the institution of marriage, which is on the ropes today? Who will teach young people the dangers and the evils of both heterosexual and homosexual promiscuity?
Who in the next generation will be willing to take the heat, when it is so much safer and more comfortable to avoid controversial subjects? Who is going to defend traditional morality in a culture that is sliding into moral decline? Who will call sin by its name, and lead a nation to repentance and holiness? Some ministers, but thankfully not the majority of them, are inclined to edit out the unpleasant themes of the Bible to avoid irritating their constituents. They sometimes boast about not being "political," when what they really mean is that they aren't willing to be vilified and disparaged for speaking the truth in love. What will be the impact on the conservative Christian church when today's patriarchs have passed from the scene?
I pray that the Lord will anoint a new generation of Jim Kennedys – courageous men and women who will not waver an inch in the defense of righteousness. I believe we're going to see these new leaders emerge in the next few years, and that the mantle handed down from my respected and loved friend, among many others, will be received and cherished by those who are willing to die, if necessary, for what they believe.
We have a wonderful heritage in the Christian faith of men and women who did just that – such as Wilberforce and Bonheoffer and Calvin and Wesley and other great leaders of the church who impacted their times for Christ against heavy opposition. We lost one of the best of these men of faith last week. May God help the younger generation carry on the work Dr. Jim Kennedy did so ably for more than a half-century. I pray that the Gospel will continue to prosper in their hands.
Thank you, Jim, for the integrity and commitment that characterized your life. You remained consistent with your message to the end. You were, indeed, a giant in your time. We'll meet you on that great resurrection morning.