VCL’s 180 (an overdue apology and update)

Vernon C. Lyons —August 15, 2024

I have to eat my words. In the last post about my dad, I said, “…I’m pretty sure he will not quit looking for ways to criticize, provoke and basically maintain his role as Thompson’s chief antagonist.” I was wrong. Since that article, I have NOTHING of that nature to report. In fact, my dad made a complete 180 from monitoring, criticizing and antagonizing Tommy Thompson, to focusing on teaching and preaching. So, a lesson learned. I regret diverging from presenting the facts to indulge my critical spirit by declaring my dad an antagonism addict. Well, I guess, I’m glad I was wrong.

But, what exactly has Vernon Lyons been up to since he was banned from the premises of Ashburn Baptist Church a year after he was excluded from its membership? First, it’s worth noting that his 180 degree turn-around was facilitated by opportunities afforded by Calvary Baptist of Tinley Park. His teaching there includes a Sunday morning Bible class, which continues to the present. Also, he’s been asked multiple times to preach when the pastor was ill or out of town.

Besides the Sunday Bible class, he was able to continue teaching various courses of the Bible Institute that he founded in 1950. This Institute was used as a launching pad for Ashburn Baptist in 1951 and ran continuously till he refused the Pastor Emmeritis position in 2019. Interestingly, this allowed the Bible Institute to bookend his 70-plus-year ministerial career. He was able to teach these weekly evening classes till the end of last year.

While two classes every week would be a stretch for most 94 year-olds, it wasn’t enough for my dad. I’m not sure if my dad initiated it or not; but, with the help of two technical assistants, he started video recording full-length sermons at his home every week to be uploaded to YouTube and posted on the Pastor Vernon C. Lyons Facebook page that they maintain for him. This continued, with some breaks, till the autumn of 2023.

Now, it’s needful to point out that my dad’s 180 was a change in focus, not a change of heart. To my knowledge there have been no apologies, expressions of regret or steps toward reconciliation with any of the parties who he has offended or alienated by his actions, inactions, words or silence. Also, his 180 wasn’t a change of mind, which is still in a state of denial, a denial of the validity of every accusation that has been made against him. He acknowledges no guilt for his divisive actions at Ashburn, takes no responsibility for antagonizing rather than supporting his replacement, has not admitted his wife died because of his negligence; and he expresses no concern about splitting the family. No, he simply returned to doing these good things that have nothing to do with the pain and devastation he has caused.

Pertaining to his health: the five years since he was banned have required various adjustments related to his gradual physical decline. Nonetheless, not counting a 2021 bout with Covid-19 that landed him in the hospital and a severe chest infection and cough (possible flu) that laid him up for weeks early this year, he has been able to care for himself, continue to drive and maintain his lifelong habit of daily exercise. However, one of his daughters’ decision to move in to care for him last year was none too soon. With her meal preparation, doing laundry etc. he has the perfect balance of independence and support.

But, here’s a significant change; 2024 was the first January in decades my dad did not head off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for an extended winter vacation. This was a great relief to the family, because of our concern for his health and safety. This because he had already been robbed on the streets of Puerto Vallarta just after coming out of a bank; and in 2015 he suffered a heart attack while on a solo vacation in Tennessee. In resent years a number of family members have made a coordinated effort to be there with him, just in case. This, of course, is not my dad’s idea of getting away. He prefers to be alone. Maybe that contributed to his decision in 2023 not to return to Mexico. He says he is done with vacations.

His severe illness this last winter seemed to have prompted a return to funeral planning which he had officially started over ten years ago. Now for the last few months these plans have been the most frequently discussed topic when I visit. But, in my opinion, he’s in quite good health for a 97 year old. He proves it every time he climbs the 14 steps of his two-level townhouse, which he tries to do at least seven times a day. It’s possible he may have the liberty to revise those funeral plans multiple times.