The Measure of a Life
In Memory of Scott McKinney (1950–2023) Memorial Service Video
Between cradle and grave, there are a great many ways a life may be measured.
As an infant, our life is measured in inches and pounds, by our smile and mobility.
In childhood, our life is measured by our school grades, aptitude and attitude.
In adolescence, our life is measured by our popularity and physical appearance.
In adulthood, our life is measured by income, status, family, children and friends.
In mid-life our life is measured by our accomplishments, property, prestige or fame.
However, very often during this middlessence period many stumble, fall and encounter a major loss of health, wealth, reputation or relationship.
Our entire life is then viewed from a new and often very different measurement system. Let’s call it an eternal measurement system. During this period we begin to reevaluate our life goals and what is really most important in our life.
It is during this stage of our lifetime journey that many people turn to God, or divine source in desperation seeking answers to life‘s biggest questions such as; why was I born, what is my purpose?
While this is a rather normal life cycle for many, some embark on a different life journey based on an early spiritual encounter that alters the course of their life. My friend Scott McKinney was such a man.
I first met Scott at People’s Church in Scottsdale Arizona in early 1973 after I was swept into the Jesus Movement at NAU in Flagstaff, AZ. Scott was a few years older and possessed an amazingly joyful countenance. His exuberance to share God’s love with everyone was contagious.
In the years that followed, we both attended Melodyland School Theology in Anaheim, California — which was at the time an early epicenter of the Charismatic Renewal which was sweeping the nation.
Scott and I shared a few classes at school, a love for the ocean and we both had a late 60’s VW bus — his blue and mine red. He looked like a movie star with his dark tan, sunglasses and blond hair blowing in the wind.
During our years together at school I witnessed Scott’s ministry blossom into his ultimate calling to share the gospel as a fearless Evangelist — starting out on street corners in downtown Los Angeles.
Scott was a role model for many other students as well. He took his calling seriously and seemed to fit the perfect ambassador for Christ as he boldly shared the gospel in such a powerful way that his message drew hungry hearts, minds and souls into the kingdom of God.
While I was still trying to figure out what my future role might be, it seemed Scott had a direct hot line on his direction. Soon, with the support of many others, he become an international evangelist, traveling the world to share the gospel message to crowds of thousands and tens of thousands.
Over the years we lost track of each other until we reconnected in the mid-1990s after Scott lost his wife to cancer and suffered a setback in his international ministry. I remember he was struggling to redefine himself during this difficult period, but always believed God would open new doors.
In 2012 we reconnected again in Scottsdale, AZ and he shared with me about how his life had taken some serious twists and turns leading him into and out of addiction, and then into volunteering in the military, then out and how he was seeking a new direction for his next steps in life.
Yes, Scott could light up the room with his amazing stories spanning the globe, of how lives had been changed, bodies healed and minds redirected by the gospel. In recent years, Scott was working on a book about Christ consciousness and what he had discovered during times of prayer and meditation.
We often visited St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Scottsdale, where he served as an alter boy as a child. We loved both the Sunday Contemplative Service as well as the Tuesday night Silent Contemplative Prayer Circle.
I remember back in 2019 we took to a road trip to minister on an Indian reservation south of Phoenix where I ministered in music and Scott preached. We then visited an Eastern Greek Orthodox monastery outside of Florence, AZ. where he had found a strong kinship with the monks in both seeking God and in serving others.
During the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2022, Scott volunteered to fly across the country to help serve as my caregiver during a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL to see if I could qualify for a double lung transplant.
Prior to the transplant, my case of Covid turned into Pulmonary Fibrosis, a degenerative lung disease. My life was now measured one breath at a time. I required oxygen and I wasn’t sure what the outcome might be, or how much of a future I might have.
Scott accompanied me to many of the Mayo appointments and we had great conversations about both life and death and our spiritual paths in life. Scott was a great encouragement during this difficult season in my life and I tried to be the same for him.
Thankfully, in May 2022, I was able to get on the list for a double lung transplant, and miraculously just four days later got a call that matching lungs had been found! I am now recovering nicely by the grace of God.
On Thanksgiving 2023 I called Scott to see how he was doing and he sounded cheerful and upbeat about what the future might bring. Little did anyone know that two weeks later his physical life on earth would end abruptly. Scott is survived by a loving brother, sister, son, daughter and two grandchildren.
The legacy Scott leaves behind is that of a man who following his calling and was entirely prepared for a glorious reunion with his Creator. His compassion and service has impacted so many others who were altered as a result of Scott’s faithfulness. All who knew Scott carry a bit of him with us every day.
So ultimately, how is a life measured?
Not only by inches, pounds, bank accounts, knowledge, property or fame, but rather by our eternal loving relationships and our service to God and others. By that measurement, my friend Scott McKinney lived a very full, rich life… on earth… as it will be in heaven.
