Honoring A Hero Of Mine: Reverend Earl Palmer
On Sunday, October 19th, Reverend Earl F. Palmer delivered his final sermon as senior pastor of University Presbyterian Church after decades spent leading this prominent house of worship in Seattle, Washington. The sanctuary was packed to capacity during one of the morning services we attended, and that’s no surprise- Earl (as he’s known to many) touched a lot of people during his years here.
Instead of recalling Earl’s impressive educational background or going on at length about his inspiring list of accomplishments, I want to share one brief personal story that I think demonstrates the nature of his great character.
Years ago, I got caught up reading conspiracy theories. I soon became convinced of a few wild scenarios: the government orchestrated 9/11, there was a sinister New World Order and we were all headed for a microchip in the wrist. I am embarrassed to admit it, but those fables worked me into a paranoid mess. Seeking help, I went to Earl about it. This was our first encounter. He told me, very simply, that I should replace bad news with good news. He quickly showed me the anatomy of a conspiracy theory, and how these tales are intellectually hollow because, by definition- they can never be disproved outright. He shared stories about others who had visited his office because of paranoia before being freed from that irrational grip. He prayed with me. The misinformation and propaganda melted away in the days that followed. I soon took up reading again, but this time the topics were history and general non-fiction, and not because Earl told me to (he didn’t). I think I developed a thirst for the joy of learning, wonder and discovery- all things that he exemplified through his teaching.
That’s what Earl does. He isn’t a “teller;” he is a great teacher, and there’s a huge difference. Seattle has some pastors known for their divisive personalities and a few of them continue to do a lot of loud telling without much in the way of teaching. I know this because I’ve sat in different congregations on multiple Sundays and heard these guys as they go from zero to theatrical in 4.8 seconds. But not Earl. Instead, he preaches The Bible using the context of history and the aid of literature. He does word studies of the source (original) language. He practices patience and extends dignity to his audience so that we may confirm the conclusion for ourselves. That doesn’t mean he lacks passion or conviction, it’s merely to say he leaves a lot of work in God’s hands.
What Earl did for me in that first meeting echoes something he once shared during a sermon on the Parable of the Good Samaritan- a text that has been used to guilt people into a mentality of thankless, never-ending servitude. Instead, he taught that the Samaritan only did a limited work for that person before continuing on his way. In the Parable, the limited work still went a long way to help the man in the ditch. Earl was warning about the trend that tells us to take on the weight of the world. Don’t do that, he said. I’ve never forgotten it. Earl is full of these little insights. For example, he recently declared that Protestants have gotten into trouble when they’ve tried to attach timetables to God’s will and Biblical prophesy. Amen. Look at all the anxiety and recklessness that stems from theories of a looming apocalypse, and the assumption that Jesus is coming back tomorrow night at 7:30 Pacific Standard Time. Unfortunately, I once knew that mentality all too well, and the fruits of it were never good.
At the end of our initial meeting, Earl invited me to join his small group, and I’ve gotten to know him since then. He married my wife and I and we once traded creative works for review (his novel and the first chapter of my non-fiction book). Though he also gave mine considerable praise, the criticism really destroyed me at the time. Months later, I realized it was because he was absolutely correct, and I had attempted to include some thoughts on history that I simply did not understand.
At age 75, he is moving on to the next phase of his ministry, because he doesn’t believe in retirement. Check this out- he’s going to National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. to be the preaching pastor there for the next seven months. I hope some of our representatives in government get the chance to hear Earl Palmer’s perspective.
There aren’t many living heroes, but the need for them is always great. Earl introduced me to a wondrous and patient God after I spent years trying to force obedience to what I envisioned to be an angry floating deity. He shared a Jesus that I want to know instead of the one from my youth that I was secretly embarrassed for. No one else has had a greater impact on my faith than this man, and I know there are thousands more who have had the same experience.
It would be a great encouragement to hear about your hero(es). Who has changed the course of your life for the better?
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University Presbyterian church’s website has an MP3 catalogue of every sermon going back several years, for those interested. His new, and continuing ministry organization is Earl Palmer Ministries. Earl is also joining up with The Kindling’s Muse on a monthly basis, hosted by a friend of mine- commentator and writer Dick Staub. Check out the official website which will be featuring podcasts from these live events.
Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 8:25 am
Consider taking a trip to DC to hear him speak there! Imagine how cool that would be…plus, if you have never been to DC its really very inspiring for any American to take in.
Who is my hero?
Well, as corny as it sounds….and it is, I admit it…my father has to be mine. This is a man who always stood committed to his family and did for us whatever was necessary whenever it was necessary. Over the years, as sons and fathers do, we had our battles. There are things we will never see eye to eye on, but we respect each other and give each other room to be different and still love each other. I find myself telling people the ideas that he’s passed on to me over the years about life. People will often reply that some of those things I said seemed to come from someone older than I am, and its often true. I think my father did exactly what a good parent is SUPPOSED to do: prepare me for life as well as possible…knowing that life will happen either way.
One thing I really appreciate about my father is that he once described himself as a “what you see is what you get” kind of person. I remember at the time thinking it was a load of crap….but then I thought about it. There have been exceptions (as there is with ANY human being) but for well over 90% of the time, he is exactly right. My dad doesn’t front or suffer fools or stand for cruelty very often. Hes a man that says what he means, and means what he says. How often do you find that? Many times during his career in the city of Inglewood’s Dept of Recreation and Senior Services, my father was asked to run for office. He always declined because, as much as he enjoys the “game” of politics, he’s a bad liar. He knew it wasnt a game for him as it would mean giving up parts of your soul. I admire him for never giving in to that.
Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Inspiring stuff, thanks Bri.
-ian
Monday, October 27, 2008 at 9:31 pm
thanks ian.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 8:59 pm
thanks for reading it, jessliu
-ian
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Good read, blart.
It’s nice how God puts people in our lives to change a simple perspective or change a way of thinking for the better.
Exactly what a pastor should do!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 3:50 pm
LOL hey Toys- you know Blart is my legal name and should not be revealed to the public
you said it right! exactly what a pastor should do
-ian
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 11:25 am
Well – I am catching up on my reading and this particular one really got me. This man sounds amazing and exactly the type of example that I have been searching for to help me resume the walk with God that I had left behind many years ago because the whole thing seemed like a like an embarrassing nightmare that I didn’t have time for.
So it is refreshing to hear that there is a pastor out there that is able to just preach the Bible and not have to try and hype things up to get “ratings” or more clinks in the offering plate. And it is especially refreshing to hear that someone believes that timetables are not something to be obsessed over as far as Biblical prophecy. My Grandma told me that Jesus would come back in 92 – she was just SURE of it…well here we are almost 20 years later and we are still waiting on the edge of our seats stocking up on canned goods and investing in silver because the world is going to come to an end. I am tired of living in fear because Pastor so and so said that the second coming is just around the corner because the stock market dropped a few points or the weather changed. It makes me crazy and makes me want nothing to do with it. When did it stop being about a relationship and start being about chasing the next religious wave?
Your pastor sounds like an amazing man and it is exciting to know that there are still a few normal ones out there. And if you hear of any others out there that don’t believe that if I microchip my dog I am going to burn in hell I would love to hear a recommendation as I am currently looking for a church.
Thank you!
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 12:45 pm
LOL Tiffany that was perfect. I’ve missed your thoughts around here lately for obvious reasons- you have a great way of making points. I couldn’t agree with you more on this issue.
I highly recommend listening to some of Earl’s sermons on MP3. Based on your perspective, I think you’d connect immediately with his teaching. The MP3 library continues to be a transforming presence in my life; I am always amazed by how much I am encouraged and challenged by Earl. And since you’re asking- Lauren and I go to Quest Church in Magnolia and it’s great. Both Eugene (Quest) and Earl are from Princeston Seminary, and they have similar qualities- thoughtful, reflective, learned and always compassionate and loving. They take the weight of their faith seriously, but not too seriously. Would love to have you come with us (plus your cousin goes there too). I’ll make you a deal- if you can spot any rotten theology or kooky Religious Right add-ons or agendas, I’ll buy you a burger
Glad to have you back around!
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Thank you so much for the recommendation. I will definately be checking it out.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 5:10 pm
very cool, you’re welcome. I’ll be curious to hear your reaction.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 1:30 am
I know I’m a bit late to the game on this thread, but thanks for posting this (it came up on a Google blog search I was doing on UPC in Seattle).
Reverend Palmer is a big hero of mine as well. He used to totally inspire me with his scholarly approach and heavy emphasis on exegesis. This was back when I lived in Seattle in the 90′s and attended University Presbyterian regularly.
I’m actually moving back to Seattle in August and hope to get reacquainted with UPC. Do any of you here on the blog still attend that church?
By the way, overall this is an excellent journal you have here — quality stuff!
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Mark- welcome to the site and I’m glad you found it.
I can’t speak for the rest of the audience here but my wife and I now go to Quest Church in Seattle after leaving UPC when Earl retired. We love Quest for several reasons but we went there after Earl’s retirement because our pastor came from the same seminary as Earl- Princeston Theological- and that place churns out some truly wise and thoughtful men of God. George Hinman is doing a great job at UPC these days or at least that’s my estimate after listening to a few of his sermons on MP3. Be sure to click on the link over on the right for ‘Earl Palmer Ministries’ where you can listen to an exhaustive list of sermons from Earl including recent ones in Washington D.C.. He is still preaching his heart out in his 70s and I’ve found them to be just as theologically rich and encouraging as ever. Truly a rare follower of Jesus he is.
Finally- thanks a lot for the compliment about this site. I really look forward to comments from new readers because I know the opinion has nothing to do with knowing me personally (and thus cutting me some slack). Hope to hear from you again!
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I attended UPC for 7 years. In the last 3 years I was in numerous leadership positions that gave me opportunity to not only be a positive influence but also put me in a position to see how Earl ran his associate leadership and how he responded to problems within the church. Things are not always at they appear on Sunday mornings. There is much more to a person than what he or she can express in 45 minutes once a week. How they conduct themselves really shows the kind of person (and Christian) they really are. I left UPC a year before Earl announced he was stepping down. I respected him for his knowledge, but that is as far as it went. Too many things happened behind closed doors for me to look the other way. You can’t listen to someone week after week that you have little respect for. Those are hard words and I’m sure will illicit a terse response, but I am speaking as someone who knows Earl behind those doors. This is no way to degrade the man or hurt anyone who has benefited from what he has said to those who have already commented here. There are followers of Earl who felt that George H.(or anyone) would never be able to equal Earl so they left UPC. Others left because those whose ears were filled with knowledge each week, were left with spirits that were empty. Others like me knew too many things and felt they had no choice to leave. What is most important now is that UPC be defined by the people who go there and how they live out their lives as a true followers of Christ. George may not give a message as eloquent as Earl’s, but it is personal and gives direction as to how Christ would have us live…not leave it up to us to decide for ourselves.