Shannon Popkin: “Tossing Seeds on Cement”

Shannon Popkin posts about Tom Hammond, a pastor who was a very significant influence in my life.  I can vividly remember watching Tom share the Gospel when I thought, there is no way this will take root, yet it did. 

It’s common for one eulogy to sort of stand apart from the others.  Either the person is a gifted speaker or has a touching story.  But Pastor Tom Hammond’s funeral, which I attended several months ago, seemed to have an endless supply of dynamic, talented speakers–pastors, evangelists, leaders–all testifying to the deep impact Tom had on their life. The stories, and the deliveries, were remarkable.  And I learned later that there were many others in attendance who could’ve spoken just as eloquently, sharing stories of equal significance.

Tom was one of my parents’ close friends, and I have loved him since my childhood.  He had a zest for life, and was passionate about people.  But sitting in that funeral, testifying to the incredible crop of fruit that Tom’s ministry produced, I secretly wondered, “Was Tom a better preacher than I remember?”  Then, one speaker came out and said it:  Tom’s legacy wasn’t born out of impeccable homiletics and hermeneutics in the pulpit.  In fact, he recalled Tom being quite willing to set aside sermon prep for the sake of a good conversation.

But I noticed a pattern:  Tom was indiscriminate.  He scattered seed absolutely everywhere.  He didn’t waste time seeking out good soil.  He just flung seed with all of his might!  And Tom got to see huge oak trees sprout up out of cement.

Andre Sims, now a pastor and evangelist in Seattle, shared how Tom came to his dorm room late one Saturday night to ensure that Andre would finally keep his promise and come to church the next morning.  "Tom didn’t care!" said Andre, recalling the embarrassment of having Tom show up while he and some friends were doing things they shouldn’t have.  "Tom just said, ‘All y’all come on to church!’”  Jeff Dodge, now a pastor in Iowa, said, ‘I still can’t believe that Tom Hammond was willing to love a punk like me.’ 

More here.