Playing ‘Second Fiddle’ by Dr. John B. Bartlett, Special Assistant to Head of School
S
ome of the very prominent men and women in the Bible are those who worked as “second in command” for someone who played a much higher role in the event of the day. Moses is one of my very favorite Bible characters. He had such a passion to know God in a more intimate way. His plea to God in the thirty third chapter of the book of Exodus is a perfect example. Moses was on the mountain top in the presence of God when he cried out to God, “If therefore I have found grace from You show me Your way that I may know You, and that I might find grace in Your sight.” There are other exciting references depicting Moses’ passion for his God. God gave very close instructions to Moses when He summoned him to the Mountain top. No one was to come with him except one other man. It was Joshua. We also read that when Moses would go into the tabernacle to be in the presence of God the clouds would descend on the people so they could not see the glory. When Moses came out and the clouds lifted, Joshua was the man that stayed sentinel at the door of the Tabernacle. Serving as “assistant” to Moses in such a faithful way, second in command if you will, it was Joshua who was chosen by God to take the Israelites into the promised land. What a beautiful life and what great rewards would be given him for serving as an assistant to Moses.
Church. It was largely through the faith Barnabas had in Paul and his interceding for him at Jerusalem that the great missionary work of these two men was started and the great team of Barnabas and Saul was formed. Roles in that partnership soon changed. Saul became the Apostle Paul and Barnabas continued to serve as his associate. They ministered side by side during one of the most strategic periods of church history. I guess from today’s perspective, we would say that Joshua and Barnabas, as well as many others not mentioned here, played the role of “second fiddle,” or if we really want to be sophisticated we would say that they were coadjutors. So you don’t have to go to the dictionary in search of the meaning, it is defined as one who serves in a high position of administrative assistance.
Now for the rest of the story! Early on a recent Tuesday morning I was surprised to see my good friend and a special friend of ACS, Mr. Larry Watt, Executive Director of SCISA, on campus. I didn’t think too much about it, but was surprised when Dr. Piccolo introduced Mr. Watt in faculty inservice. To my utter amazement, the next thing I heard was Mr. Watt calling my name and asking me to come forward, which I did with trembling knees. Mr. Watt stated that out of the many candidates, from over a hundred SCISA schools, I was voted to be the What better example could there be recipient of the 2011 SCISA Coadjutor from the New Testament than that partnership between Paul and Barnabas. Award. I was almost speechless which is a bit unusual for me. I accepted the Barnabas, a well established leader in the Church at Jerusalem, because of his honor graciously, but was anxious to get to the dictionary and look up the encouraging spirit, was sent to the meaning of the word coadjutor. It Church at Antioch to observe the situation within that body of believers. simply means a high assistant to one in a major leadership role. Upon his arrival, and after an initial assessment, he immediately left for Troas to interview Paul and bring him to As I reflected on this and my long and Antioch. Some doubted the soundness very rewarding career, for most of the years I have been just that, a coadjutor. of this decision, remembering Paul’s For years at Bryan College, I was the earlier hatred for Christians and the
Vice President in the days when there was only one Vice President. Those years in that place, and the special memories that still remain, are some of my greatest treasures. When I left Bryan and came to be on staff at First Presbyterian Church, I didn’t know that I would soon be thrust into the role of interim Headmaster at Westminster Schools. After my tenure in that role I had the privilege of serving as Vice President under Matt Gossage, a great administrator and friend. After I retired from Westminster, I had a call from the Board of Augusta Christian asking me if I would help them as interim Headmaster. When a new head was chosen I was asked to stay on, once again as Vice President. In the eleven years I have been at Augusta Christian, as much as I have enjoyed each role, never has there been a happier or more rewarding time in my long career than to have the privilege of working with Dr. David Piccolo. The Board of Trustees honored me in permitting me to play a major role with them in selecting Dr. Piccolo. After working each day with Dr. Piccolo I go home with a heart full of gratitude and amazement that at this time of the “winding down” of my career that I can be the Coadjutor of such a brilliant Christian educator!
Dr. John B. Bartlett
Page 3 - A CLOSER LOOK WINTER / SPRING 2011-12