Archive: Charles W. Keysor: A Giant in My Eyes

By James V. Heidinger II

The Methodist Church was not without an evangelical constituency in the mid-sixties. But that constituency was scattered, struggling, and intimidated by a church whose leadership was solidly liberal.

Charles W. Keyser, founding editor of Good News magazine and chief executive of the movement for 15 years, helped give this scattered constituency an identity, a sense of unity, and a voice within the denomination. Now he is gone. (See article on p. 48)

My involvement with Chuck and Good News began at the first national convocation in Dallas in 1970. As I watched Chuck there from a distance, I remember he was a giant in my eyes. And the movement he was leading gave me, a young pastor just three years out of seminary, hope that our church could one day be different that evangelicals would no longer have to survive as something of an underground movement within United Methodism.

During those early days of my pastoral ministry, I found the Good News movement to be expressing many of the concerns and convictions I felt. It encouraged me greatly during those times of frequent discouragement.

In the mid-1970s, I was elected a member of the Good News board and became personally acquainted with Chuck. To know him was to appreciate him as a multi-gifted person. He was at once a pastor, journalist, executive, leader of renewal, national voice, and penetrating theologian. He also became a personal friend.

I remember, while serving in Ohio, getting lengthy phone calls from Chuck to discuss articles, editorials, and issues confronting the church. Though I was a novice, Chuck always encouraged me to write and to become more involved in the Good News ministry.

To know Chuck was to realize he had the courage to speak faithfully and the ability to speak persuasively. Because he was obedient, Chuck was a vessel through whom God would channel a vision and rally the commitment of thousands of United Methodists.

When Chuck launched Good News he was bitterly opposed, and for a number of years he bore personally the brunt of criticism from many who disagreed with him. But when he stepped down from his Good News post in 1981, many of those ardent critics saluted him for his courage and his commitment to the evangelical faith.

Those of us who worked closely with Chuck loved him dearly as God’s bold and faithful servant. For 15 years both Chuck and his devoted wife, Marge, poured themselves unselfishly into the Good News effort. When the time came for change, Chuck spent many hours helping me get oriented to my new tasks. And Marge stayed on at her Good News job for a time, providing continuity during the period of transition. We are profoundly indebted to them for their faithful service.

What a monumental contribution Chuck has made for the cause of Scriptural Christianity within the United Methodist Church! When the chapter for this period of Methodist history is written, the contributions of Charles Winchester Keysor will be a major part. And, about that, Chuck would have us add, “To God be the glory!”