Goodbye my friend and ministry partner . . . Dr. Ken Diehm

My friend and ministry partner these almost 6 years, Dr. Ken Diehm, passed away suddenly on Saturday evening, February 19th, 2011, from a brain bleed complicated by undiagnosed leukemia.

As a clergy collegue in another nearby community said to me, "if you told me a pastor of our conference in his 50's would die this year, Ken would not have even been on the list."

I am in shock. Our church is in shock. All of our staff members are bravely working to get us through the memorial service on Saturday, and then through 6 worship services on Sunday. However, our batteries / energy levels are almost if not exhausted.

I cannot begin to write one single tribute to Ken. I think I will be writing for some time about him as part of my grieving process.

Church member and friend, Steve Isbell, took this picture of Ken a couple of years ago, on a group bike ride in the Fredericksburg, TX area. There is Ken, leading the group, as it prepares to come to a distant bend in the road. We followed Ken around several distant bends, and up and down some mountains as well. This picture is how I will probably remember Ken best.

I was taught that in times of trials and tribulations, I should always count my blessings. One of them is this: for almost 6 years I had the distinct privilege of working for and with the "best" there was.

Honest. With all due respect to all my clergy collegues at some great churches in our area . . . Ken Diehm was the best. The total package.

I will miss him.

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>