The announcement reverberated like a thunderclap around the General Conference Ministerial Association. Floyd Bresee, association secretary for the past seven years, announced his retirement effective August 31, 1992. His retirement also concluded Ellen' s role as Shepherdess leader for the world field.
We were shocked by the announcement because everyone had been expecting the Bresees to continue until the 1995 General Conference session. However, the cancer that Ellen had so valiantly fought some years before has returned. No one knows how long she has to live, and Floyd has told us: "She has given her life for me and my work; the least I can do is dedicate the remainder of my life to her as long as life shall last."
That kind of dedication has endeared Floyd to his staff and other people around the world. He has become known as the pastor's pastor and initiated the first such column in Ministry. While we all work for the same Lord, there are times when pastors and administrators do not always see eye-to-eye. Floyd has always felt that one of the main roles of the Ministerial Association is to listen to the needs of pastors, seek to help them meet those needs, and help administrators under stand those needs.
Thus some of us could not help shed ding a tear when he displayed such fierce loyalty to his lovely wife. They have always believed in team ministry, they have practiced team ministry on the pastoral level, they have practiced it here at the General Conference. And now they retire as a team.
The Bresees have served 42 years together in ministry, beginning with Floyd as the Columbia Academy's boys' dean (1949-1950). From there he entered the pastoral ministry, serving for 10 years in Oregon, Nebraska, and Texas. In Texas he pastored the large (2,500 members) Keene church before coming to the Ministerial Association.
He also served as an Oregon Conference evangelist for four years. As well as being gifted in evangelism, pastoring, and mentoring young men, Floyd also loves to teach. He taught Bible at Laurelwood Academy, in Oregon, for two years and later became a member of the Union College religion faculty, where he taught future pastors for 16 years (11 of them as chairman of the department).
In 1982 the General Conference called him to the Ministerial Association to begin a continuing education program for pastors. Three years later he became head of the association.
As befits the pastor's pastor, Floyd's great love is preaching. He completed a Ph.D. in speech education (1971) with an emphasis on the teaching of preaching. I am sure that he would not cite the title of his dissertation as an example of catchy titles "An Analysis of Homiletics Teaching Methods Advocated by Contemporary Homiletic Authorities in the United States."
Ellen has stood by his side supporting him in ministry. She took advanced courses in counseling and spent much of her time working with Floyd, especially in the area of counseling. Since Ellen became head of Shepherdess International, she has seen a veritable explosion of support for this organization. She and Marie Spangler pioneered this support group for pastors' spouses.
The 1988 Annual Council officially recognized Shepherdess International as an organization to provide ministers' spouses opportunities for spiritual growth, to train them as paraprofessionals in team ministry with their husbands, to improve home relationships, and to provide fellowship and support.
Ellen has long dreamed of seeing a Shepherdess chapter in every conference and field throughout the world. Five years ago only North America had organized local chapters. Now it is estimated that 70 percent of all conferences and fields worldwide support local chapters.
Under Floyd's leadership some important pastoral resources have been developed. One of the most significant items is a comprehensive manual for the training of interns. In addition, the association provides a large loose-leaf binder of evaluation instruments that pastors and churches may use to assess all phases of the local church program. These instruments are not theoretical pieces plucked out of thin air but are actual tools supplied by the local conferences that developed them.
Floyd's crowning achievement is the complete revision of the Minister's Manual. This manual has been an invaluable guide to pastors all over the world on how to conduct funerals, weddings, dedications, etc. The new manual, due out this year, is not so much a revision as it is a rewrite. Many new chapters have been added, and while it probably will not bear his name, he is the one who has collected all the material during 42 years of service.
He will have to leave other goals for someone else to accomplish. He wanted to publish a book on preaching. In addition he hoped to oversee the publication of a new compilation of Spirit of Prophecy material on pastoral ministry. But that is what life is all about constantly dreaming and always expecting the Lord to work another miracle.
Floyd and Ellen plan to "retire" to a little mountain retreat they have built in Colorado. But we really don't want to say good-bye. We hope it is only au revoir (until next time).
We asked the division ministerial secretaries to give their own tributes to the work Floyd and Ellen have done.
Eastern Africa
To Elder Bresee, a preacher, educator, and indeed a pastor of pastors. We will remember you for your deep spiritual inspiration, which goes a long way in Africa. God bless you.
Mrs. Bresee: Shepherdess International has now united the ministry. For the first time Adventist ministry is a complete team ministry. Your love for the Adventist ministers' wives has brought us a new life.—Baraka G. Muganda.
Euro-Africa
It is with deep regret that we received the news of your retirement. We under stand your personal reasons and sympathize with you.
We have greatly appreciated your sacrificial ministry. Your visits to our division have had a lasting impact on the pastors and their wives. In His goodness, God has used you to prepare and encourage them in their ministry. May the peace of God continue with you. —Gudrun and Johannes Mager.
Far Eastern
We will miss you. We will long re member your counsel during the ministerial advisories at the General Conference headquarters, in Singapore last year, and during the workers' meetings in the three unions in the Philippines with Mrs. Bresee. The world church will miss your services as the dean of ministers. Likewise, the ministers' wives will be saddened upon knowing that Mrs. Bresee, who helped strengthen the Shepherdess International program, will be leaving the scene of action. God bless you. —Violeto F. Bocala.
Inter-American
It is always sad to see people at the helm of a program step aside from the line of active duty. I speak on behalf of the ministerial force in Inter-America in saying that we will miss Elder Bresee's ministry and his leadership. He has help ed us to see the need for ministers to practice a balanced and well-organized program of activity. He was gifted in being able to promote the many aspects of ministry without neglecting evangelism.
Pastor Bresee demonstrated that good preaching is still at the heart of our profession. He modeled what an all-around minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church should be. He will be remembered for bringing back into focus the wholeness of ministry as husband-wife team ministry. He and his dear Ellen constantly demonstrated how effective the team ministry concept really is, and how it strengthens the church and its ministry. Ellen brought joy, relief, and a distinct sense of mission and be longing to thousands of ministers' wives.
As we see Pastor and Mrs. Bresee step aside in retirement we, their fellow ministers, want to say to them now, as they will surely hear their Lord saying to them at the end, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
We will continue praying for Mrs. Bresee's health, and that the Lord will grant them a joyful, peaceful, and fulfilling retirement after a life spent in God's service. —Jaime Castrejon.
North American
My wife and I wish to join many others in paying tribute to you for your 42 years of service to the church.
Floyd, your influence has been felt around the world as you have sought to enhance the work of pastors and equip them for more effective service in God's cause. You have also done an excellent job in giving leadership to the various aspects of the General Conference Ministerial Association. We commend you for this.
Ellen, you have done a tremendous job in fostering the work of Shepherdess International around the world. In spite of challenges in the area of your physical health, you have moved forward faith fully and courageously. We praise God for your dedication and for answered prayers on your behalf.
May your cups continue to overflow with blessings as you retire from the pressure of the work. We know that both of you will continue to share and witness for the Lord as you relocate in another part of God's vineyard. We wish you God's abundant blessings as you continue to walk hand-in-hand with Him. —Bill and Lois Scales, Jr.
South American
The gospel ministry corps of the South American division will always be grateful to the Bresees for their contribution in two specific areas: the strengthening of Adventist preaching and their emphasis on Shepherdess International. This couple's life and ministry have been a lesson for the practical work of the ministry as a team husband and wife. —Amasias Justiniano.
Southern Asia
Shakespeare said: "Every man is alone in his sorrows." The Bresees have their sorrows but also their dreams. They dream of powerful and faithful ministers building and strengthening a strong laity. One can sense the burden they carry for God's work. They adore new ideas that will open up new avenues for the progress of God's work. And they have contributed their own store of ideas.
They are loving and lovable Christians and their lives have left a deep impression on my life. They leave an ideal image of what team ministry is all about. —P. V. Jesudas.
South Pacific
We appreciate Floyd and Ellen Bresee as true ambassadors for Christ. We applaud Floyd's leadership characterized by drive, commitment, and dedication to excellence in all aspects of ministry, as well as Ellen's leadership in consolidating the Shepherdess International net work worldwide and her faithfulness in providing a quarterly resource for Shepherdess International.
We wish Floyd and Ellen God's rich est blessings of health and happiness in their retirement. —John and Nerolie Gate.
Trans-European
Floyd and Ellen Bresee worked as an inspiring ministerial team. Gaya and I have stayed in their home and felt the warmth of their friendship. Floyd traveled in the South Pacific with me when I was ministerial secretary of that division and made fine contributions to our ministerial secretaries council as well as to ministers' meetings in the island unions. His preaching was always fresh and encouraging.
Ellen was very helpful to Gaya in Shepherdess International both in the South Pacific and now in this division. One of Floyd's greatest contributions to ministerial secretaries has been the formation of the new Ministerial Association manual. This is a great asset around the field. May God richly bless them both in retirement from the exacting task of administration. —David Currie.
Middle East Union
We have appreciated Floyd's desire to improve the skills and abilities of pastors. Not only has he challenged us but he has also led the way by example.
The same can be said about Ellen's leadership of Shepherdess International. They have both been a blessing to each of us and we pray for God's continued blessings to be with them. —Jim and Joyce Neergaard.
Southern Africa Union
It is with regret that we learned about the retirement of Floyd and Ellen Bresee. Their team ministry has made an impact upon ministerial couples throughout the world. The influence of their ministry will continue to challenge, equip, and inspire. May God bless their retirement years. Thanks for every thing. —Raymond Zeeman.
Floyd and Ellen, may I paraphrase Paul's words to Timothy: "For we are already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for our departure. We have fought the good fight, we have finished the race, we have kept the faith. Now there is in store for us the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to us on that day and not only to us, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (see 2 Tim. 4:6-8, NIV).
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
