“So, how are things going with you,” the parson asked Howard Kemper, a pastor at a church near the parsons.
“I'm great,” the parson replied, “great to see you. How are things going?”
“I suppose they're going okay,” said Howard. “You know I'm going to be moving in June.”
“No, I didn't know that,” the parson repied while mentally saying, Forgive me, Father, for I have lied. What church are you moving to?”
“Well, I don't know where I'm moving to, but I'm ready for the move. I've done as much as can be done here. Some folks are not ready to get out of being set in their ways. It's a shame.”
“What do you mean?” asked the parson.
“Well, these folks have been unwilling to change. They just won't listen to reason. They are just stuck in their ways. We had a meeting last week and I told them their church would go under within ten years because they are not willing to change.”
A long moment passed in silence before Howard said, “What? You don't agree?”
“I'm just sorry you told them that, Howard?”
“Sorry? Why?”
“Because it's going to make you look silly when ten years roll around. Do you think you're the first pastor who's told them they'd be dead in ten years? I doubt it. Ten years from now you'll be pastor at some church. Hopefully, for you it'll be a bigger church and one that fits your needs. But these folks will still be having their worship service and will still be plugging along with their idea of what church is. They'll be fighting and fussing and treatening each other with going to another church. But they'll also be giving money to the poor in the community, feeding some hungry folks, and listening to sermons from some student or retired pastor who's sermons are as dull as yours.”
“You're pretty sure of yourself, Parson.”
“I am, Howard. I am.”
“Yeah, well how can you be so sure.”
“I can be sure, Howard, because, and I know this is hard to belive, every church I ever served, despite the fact I moved away is still there.”
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