The parson, along with two colleagues, were celebrating the springlike weather with a trip to the ice cream emporium. Sam Whitmere, a first year pastor in the area, walked in. The trio invited him to purchase a double dip for himself and join them. Sam did.
The usual conversations began, everyone inquiring of Sam's family, asking if he'd settled into the routine of the Chapel of Holy Redundancy. Sam stated he had, that he was really enjoying being an ordained elder. He spoke of the benefits of being part of the United Methodist connection.
After a few polite moments of listening to Sam's description, Howard Castor said, “Come on, Sam. There's no way everything is going all that good your first year in a church. Spill it.”
The parson's attention focused intently on Sam. He knew for a fact the young pastor had hit some bumps in the road to ministerial bliss.
Sam was silent. Frank Scoggins, the third of the trio, spoke. “Come on, Sam. What's up?”
“Well, I guess there is a little difficulty. Look, I've been preaching a series of sermons on “Stumbling Blocks for the Christian.” I've just lifted up the things that separate Christians from God and pointed out the dire consequences God has in store for those who fall into these pitfalls.”
“Little hell fire and damnation, Sam?” asked Howard.
Sam paused and then nodded, “I guess you could say that.”
“Preaching the judgment of God to those people, huh?” Frank inquired.
Sam remained silent.
“Tell him he needs to lighten up, Parson,” directed Howard.
The parson carefully consumed the final bite of the cone with the satisfaction that comes only when the ice cream has been stuffed to the very bottom. He wiped his lips with his napkin and then took a sip of his decaf. “Sam, did you ever hear the story about a fellow saying to a church member, 'How do you like your new pastor?' The church member replied, 'We can't stand him. All he preaches about is how we're going to hell.' So the fellow says to the church member, 'I thought Brother Jenkins, your former pastor that you loved, always preached about you going to hell.”
The parson paused, seeking Sam's full attention, and then added, “He did,” said the church member, “all he did was preach that we were going to hell. The difference was when he told us that it felt like it was breaking his heart.”
Wow. You have to love your people. Thanks Parson. Of course, we Lutherans would say he needs to balance law and gospel.
Posted by: Ivy | February 17, 2011 at 09:52 AM
....the way it should
Posted by: wondering | February 17, 2011 at 05:20 PM
as Ivy said. Wow. And Thank you!
Posted by: The Crimson Rambler | February 18, 2011 at 03:59 PM