Another Mighty Warrior Falls

Alvin Lunn
1934-2007

"By humility and the fear of the LORD

Are riches and honor and life."
Proverbs 22:4

Monday afternoon, on toward dinnertime, brother Alvin Lunn, beloved elder in the Collegevue church in Columbia, Tennessee, departed this life. I trust in faith that he was carried to Abraham’s bosom, just as Lazarus was in Luke 16. The simple but beautiful picture of angels carrying one vexed in his final days on earth by pain and suffering to the restful peace and comfort of Abraham’s bosom brings a smile to my lips. I am confident that this soldier of the cross and follower of the Lamb has now entered into peace and rest!

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope." (I Thess. 5:13)

I was not privileged to know brother Alvin for many years. We first met him when we became members at Collegevue just a few short years ago. He and his wife were the first to invite us to eat in their home. We subsequently enjoyed some hayrides and bonfires there and celebrated one special birthday with him. He was the kind of man you wish you had known all your life. He was a man to be held in the highest esteem.

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly...." (1 Peter 5:2)

I had no doubt that brother Alvin was watching for my soul from the first day that I entered "his flock." I loved his eyes! The fire in them reflected the seriousness with which he held his office among us and the passion he had for the uncompromised truth of the gospel, yet you could look into those same eyes and unquestionably see the love he had for each one of us, also.

He was so tender with the children--a beautiful mirroring of the Good Shepherd with the little children. Yet, like the Chief Shepherd, he was a formidable foe to the wolves that threatened the flock. Sin and error and discord and all the negative darts that Satan could hurl would not reach his charges if he had anything to do with it.

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."(Hebrews 13:17)

It was a blessing to be able to submit to the rule of this overseer. I always loved it when he stepped before the congregation, because you knew that wisdom, knowledge, and instruction would drip, as it were, from everything that he said. He wisely heeded the words of scripture that said, "Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2) He was a man of few words, but his words were indeed "deep waters." (Proverbs 18:4) He used every opportunity to make learning experiences for all of us. I think even when the flock gave him grief, that he was glad to do his work humbly and effectively. Though we sometimes let him down, he never gave up on us.

When technology "burst forth" in the form of an innovative internet radio program that the church could use to teach all over the world, he, as an elderly gentleman of the "old school" was not the least bit intimidated or afraid to try something new. That radio broadcast has continued, with him dropping into the "studio" in the earlier days before he got so ill, to contribute what he could to the live on-air discussion. I am sure his encouragement behind the scenes helped to make that program the success it has become.

We were all devastated when we learned that bro. Lunn had a bad form of cancer that invaded his mouth and throat, though he never smoked or chewed, I was told. He fought valiantly at this battle, too. He never gave up. He never took the easy way out. I am told by those closest to him that he never, ever complained through it all. He handled unsufferable torment with the same dignity and grace with which he always carried himself. He would often get out of bed to go to services on Sunday morning, go home and sleep a little and get back up and go back Sunday night. That continued until just a few short weeks ago, whenever he could possibly make it. Through chemo, and radiation, and feeding tubes, and the inability to talk for the pain, he persevered, with that fire still in his eyes. His manner of life taught a lesson that could never be conveyed by words. His handling of suffering will long stand as an example to us all.

Christopher Reeve once said, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." In many ways, he appeared to be just an ordinary man. I believe, however, that he was an extraordinary man posing as an ordinary man, clothed in the finest suit of humility I have seen in many years. He was a Christian above all, and a husband, father and grandfather, successful businessman, farmer, and friend to many, among other things. But in the end, brother Lunn definitely found that strength which is not ordinary in times of deep trouble, undoubtedly sustained by his great faith in the Lord. For these reasons, and so many others, he will be numbered with the rare men who have been my heroes.

The fire has been briefly extinguished. Bro. Lunn now waits with the rest of the faithful dead for the Last Day, when one Shepherd will lovingly and proudly look upon another who so beautifully reflected His own love for us, and utter those promised words...

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord!"