This is Faith in Play #96: Passing the Mantle, for November 2025.
I was gifted a replacement for my long-broken Kindle, and so accessed my library and decided since no one had given me any free books recently I would re-read some of what I had in my library–beginning with the Faith and Fandom series by Hector Miraz. Regretably I expect I will never meet Hector, despite the similarity in our ministries–and that touches on this month’s theme. In Volume II: The Obligatory Sequel he speaks of passing the mantle, of ministries replacing themselves, and it got me thinking.
Miraz makes the point that Elijah arranged for Elisha to succeeed him, taking over his ministry when he departed; he noted that Batman failed to do the same, and it resulted in chaos in Gotham City. Part of ministry, Miraz reminds us, is preparing your successor, preparing the next generation.
There might be some degree of appropriateness here. This is the final article of the eighth year of the Faith in Play series, and its author is already surviving on limited social security and the kindness of Patreon patrons and the occaisional PayPal.me donation while anticipating some significant surgery as soon as his wife is well enough for him to be away for a while. I’m hoping to keep writing for at least a couple more years, but retirement might come sooner than I hope. The question is, have I prepared anyone to continue my ministry?
The answer is not obvious. I’m rather isolated, my condition and circumstances preventing me from either going many places (such as church) or entertaining at home. I’m not invested in any individuals presently, and it does not appear that anyone is invested in me. I have no obvious apprentice such as Elisha or Robin, and I suspect that when I stop writing these the series will end and the web site will cease having regular articles. I could be mistaken–there are several good writers in the Guild, although I’m one of only two who is able to format and publish pages to the blog, and Bryan is rather busy with life. So it may be that I have failed in this: when I retire or die, my ministry ends.
Yet that might be too narrow a view. I am not the only person reaching out to the gaming world. Hector Miraz is doing wonderful things, and although he has never mentioned me as far as I am aware, there are quite a few others reaching out through many venues, and some of them have mentioned my influence in their ministries. Elisha’s ministry wasn’t the same as Elijah’s, but it was a continuation. The Christian Gamers Guild will continue without me, I expect, and even if it doesn’t my articles, some already in book form, will continue to support the ministries that have sprung from or drawn from it over the years. I have had an influence on others, ministers (not all of whom recognize that they have earned that title) continuing the outreach and support.
So here’s to passing the mantle to whomever picks it up, whenever I do.
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I feel some of the sorrow which I think you too feel. Yet, I think you can even take some comfort in this moment, but only if you remember.
Remember for Whom you strive for. Remember that your labor has not been in vain, even if your ministry ceases. Remember you have shown the light of Christ to the world through your articles and your life, and remember that that light has been kindled in the hearts of others. Remember that they will carry the light in the ways they are directed, even if they are not your ways. Finally, remember what good things He will continue to do through you and them.
Do not be too sorrowful. Find joy in the glory you have brought to our God and work you have been able to do for our Lord. Dwell on what good things He has in store for us and who you will get to meet in the end.
(Rev 22:12) “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
(Rev 22:13) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
– Your brother, Cannon
Thank you, Cannon. It always encourages me to read that something I wrote benefited someone.
–M. J. Young