Editorial note: this is a summary of a tribute speech given at Dr. Walker’s surprise retirement dinner on January 10, 2025. The original speech included a citation of Shel Silverstein’s “The Unicorn” from Inside Folk Songs. Although copyright issues prevent us from quoting the words, the lyrics and a recording by the Irish Rovers can easily be found online, for instance here on YouTube.
During our church’s search for a new pastor, my wife has said many times that we are looking for a unicorn. The biblical unicorn is rare, strong, dexterous, and unafraid of men (Num. 24:8; Job 39:9; Ps. 29:6). We need a very special sort of pastor. Frank Walker is a unicorn—rare, strong, and moved by the fear of God rather than the fear of men.
When Dr. Walker was first presented to our congregation as a candidate for associate pastor and seminary professor, we knew very little about him. I remember that in the meeting there were very few questions from the congregation. Though I grew up in the RCUS, I was new to the Sacramento church and quite hesitant to speak up. But I felt someone had to, so I stood up (sorry, Pastor Walker!) and asked whether this pastor and professor would be comfortable with some of the doctrinal positions we as a church generally agreed upon. I think I mentioned confidence in the Byzantine text, a presuppositional approach to Christian thinking, confidence in the gospel’s success within history, and a strong stance on God’s law that avoided both legalism and antinomianism. Wayne Johnson, the elder leading the meeting, said something I would translate as, “Got you covered.” I said, “Oh, okay,” and sat down.
Now please don’t misunderstand. Frank Walker is no Fundamentalist in the traditional sense of the word; neither am I. I believe we should have great respect for those Christian preachers and teachers who, at the beginning of the last century, took a stand against Modernism by defending a handful of fundamental doctrines. They were certainly Christ’s servants. The problem is, you can’t keep out an invading army with a handful of unconnected posts or towers, no matter how strong they might be. You need solid walls and arranged defenses where every post and tower support the whole.
The Christian faith is a cohesive whole. It is a seamless weave of faith, worship, and life. It must be preached, taught, and lived as such.
This is what Frank Walker has understood, preached, and lived. What we have heard him say from the pulpit and lectern, what we have read in his many pointed books, what we have seen in his counseling and spiritual leadership have shown a comprehensive, Christ-centered faith. In his ministry, every doctrine touches every other doctrine, and it all holds together, centered in Jesus Christ, and founded on His written word. This is the Reformed faith at its best: this is
biblical Christianity.
Pastor Walker will be very difficult to replace, for only God makes unicorns. And that’s sort of the point. We await God’s time and God’s man. In the meantime. . .
Thank you, Pastor Walker.
Mr. Greg Uttinger
Covenant Reformed Church
Sacramento, CA