Louisiana Baptists lost last week a true friend, and I lost a personal friend.
Last Thursday, the Lord had Robert L. Lee fold his earthly tent and come home
to his permanent residence God had prepared for him..
Bob Lee lived and led in a way that should be an example to those of us who
are still granted life on this earth. He loved Louisiana Baptists collectively,
and when he knew them personally, he loved them that way. It was from this deep
love that his leadership style grew.
Louisiana Baptists lost last week a true friend, and I lost a personal friend.
Last Thursday, the Lord had Robert L. Lee fold his earthly tent and come home
to his permanent residence God had prepared for him..
Bob Lee lived and led in a way that should be an example to those of us who
are still granted life on this earth. He loved Louisiana Baptists collectively,
and when he knew them personally, he loved them that way. It was from this deep
love that his leadership style grew.
For almost 25 years, I had the joy of serving with Bob Lee, as well as enjoying
a personal friendship with him. I watched as Dr. Lee showered love and kindness
upon people of all strata of society in general, and Louisiana Baptists in particular.
I watched him when he stood before large gatherings of Baptists, and when only
the two of us were on the golf course. When everyone present knew who he was
and what he did, and when no one had a clue. When he was experiencing trials,
and when he was experiencing triumphs. He was the same in every situation.
He treated those working in service positions as he treated the presidents
of conventions and countries. He showed them love and respect and demonstrated
personal interest in them. He was as likely to ask governors “How are things
with you and the Lord?” as he was to ask bellmen and plumbers.
He treated all pastors the same. The size of the memberships of the churches
they served did not affect his attitude toward them.
He loved and appreciated and wanted to work with Louisiana Baptists who called
themselves moderates or conservatives or Calvinists or Armenian. He would say,
“We are all Baptist brothers in Christ.”
“This man does the most important job in our convention.” Bob Lee
said about pastors. He believed they ” had the toughest job on earth”
and he wanted him to have the support he needed to do his job.
Bob Lee was a dreamer of the way things should and could be, and a visionary
of how the dreams could become reality. He had little attraction to ordinary
or average ideas, and great love for the exceptional and excellent. He loved
creativity and forward thinking.
Bob Lee was ahead of his time in many areas of denominational work. For instance,
early on in his administration, he understood that one of the strongest ways
to get a state convention committed to missions was to get them personally involved.
He saw the multiplied value of stronger Louisiana churches helping weaker ones
within the state, and the nation.
He also believed stronger commitments to foreign missions came about the same
way, so he led in several mission partnerships with Baptists in other countries.
Although some years have passed since such partnerships have been carried out
by the state convention, I still hear Louisiana Baptists talk about their strong
commitment to missions that come about by participation in such partnerships.
I have also seen the results of such partnerships on the mission fields. For
instance, I walked into a mission building in a poor area outside of Seoul,
Korea, and saw a beautiful piano. The pastor proudly explained that a church
in Louisiana had provided that piano, and how much it meant to the ministry
of the church. “We are thankful the people come,” the pastor explained.
“We pray for them every week, and we know they pray for us.” I also
know the overall mission giving of that church increased significantly.
Another of Dr. Lees strengths was inspiring other leaders to join their
support for many of his visionary ideas. Moving Baptists forward usually takes
significant effort, and requires paying a significant price. Bob Lees
ideas enlisted the support of significant pastors and laymen through the years.
These Louisiana Baptist leaders stood shoulder to shoulder with Dr. Lee as
they moved forward in Kingdom work. He realized he could not achieve the significant
work by himself, and he was always thankful for those who stood by him, and
sometimes even carried the day.
I watched Bob Lee with his family, and listened as each word he spoke of each
family member was drenched in love. He loved wife Grace and rejoiced in her
love and support and helpmateship. He was delighted that she had her own ministries
among internationals. He loved his first wife, Mae, and was deeply grieved when
she died. He loved his children and their families. He was a proud and loving
grandfather.
Bob Lee is gone from this earth, but his impact will be felt for years to come.
I thank God he brought Bob Lee into my life, and for the influence he had on
me.