Thank You, Mary Jane
[NOTE: Rarely do I post my bulletin articles from Central on our blog, but I made an exception in this case. The funeral for Mary Jane Kizer is being held on the day this article is being released and I wanted to share these words as a tribute to a lady who means a lot to Leah and me. I also chose to leave the “cover photo” blank out of respect for this emotional time. I hope this post honors Mary Jane.]
Many of you have read the New Testament through. Some have read it numerous times, from Matthew to Revelation. In reading the entire New Testament, you have come across passages that have qualifications for certain roles in the local congregation. Of course, there are qualities necessary to be an elder. There are also qualities found for deacons, and even the wives of deacons.
It seems that, outside of Scripture, many congregations have added qualifications for other roles, such as preachers’ wives. While there is no passage that says that the wife of a preacher must have certain traits or must do certain things, a lot of congregations have come up with their own list and just foisted it on the wife of a preacher.
Last Saturday, September 7, one of the best preachers’ wives I have ever known passed away. For nearly seven years, I was blessed to work with Andy Kizer in Haleyville, Alabama. Being the Youth Minister for the 9th Avenue church of Christ was my first full-time work and Andy was a great mentor, as he served as the Pulpit Minister.
During those seven years, though, we also learned from his wife, Mary Jane. She was a quiet lady. She had some health issues that kept her from being involved in every activity, but she never stopped doing all she could, and doing those things well. She taught children’s Bible classes (very effectively). She helped prepare materials for world mission efforts. She did many things behind the scenes, but always held herself to a very high standard.
More than that, though, in her own quiet way, she was a true supporter of Andy in his preaching and ministry. Mary Jane knew God’s Word tremendously well, and she helped Andy in ways that honored God.
I often say that I am so grateful for the seven years I got to work with Andy. We still talk every so often and I consider him a mentor. But I am also glad that both Leah and I got to learn from Mary Jane. Leah never signed up to be a preachers’ wife. When we married, I was going to be a school teacher, but the Lord had other plans (and we are so thankful He did!). In God’s providence, He put us in a place where both Leah and I could learn more of what it meant to be in ministry.
Mary Jane was a blessing to both of us, and Leah still often talks about her. I have often said that Central has the best preacher’s wife anywhere (now we are blessed to have the best youth and family minister’s wife, too), and a big part of that is the influence that Mary Jane had–and still has–on Leah. She learned by observing one who was a loving wife, a good mother, and a servant of the Lord.
On a personal note, I want to say “thank you” to Central. I began this article by talking about some congregations that basically put qualifications on preachers’ wives. Central is not one of those places. Other than expecting her to be a faithful wife and devoted Christian, you do not add “extras” that are not found in Scripture. It is hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate that. And I am certain that both Leah and Allison appreciate it deeply.
Leah and I will miss Mary Jane. A local church is stronger when it has ladies like her: women who know Scripture, who love their husbands and children, and who serve where they are able to the very best of their ability. But a church is also stronger when that lady just happens to be the preachers’ biggest supporter. Mary Jane was that for Andy. Leah is that for me, and she learned a lot of it by example from sister Mary Jane.
So, thank you, Mary Jane. Until we meet on the other side, we will miss you.
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
