My brother and sister-in-law came over for the weekend and brought their wonderfully sweet and adorable son. My sister-in-law also brought over a box of books for my daughters that she had read as a girl and when I spied the last 3 books in the Anne of Green Gables series, I snatched them up immediately. I read the first 3 books as a girl, but never read the last 3.
The next day we went to church and the pastor, who said he could't believe he was going to do this because he disliked it when other pastors did this, talked about the way things used to be. Days when moms stayed home, families got together for Sunday Dinner, kids respected adults, children took care of their aging parents, and other things that some attribute to the "simple life". Food for thought, if you care to keep an open mind. (Open mind does not mean you agree nor does it always mean that what you are considering must be something new or anti-status quo, but that's another post.)
I came home and started reading Anne of Windy Poplars and I was whisked away to a land of a young lady who didn't know anything of Little League, American Idol, or working inside AND outside the home. While I disagree with the notion that anything from the past must be better, I can't help but think, as I often do, about what the simple life is and if it's something I want to have.
This is where you come in. What comes to your mind when you hear someone talk about simple living? What images are flashing in your head? Is it attainable? Is it desirable? Is it just a notion we find appealing, but is not in fact reality? (Why is my mouse not working right now?) (There!)
Your thoughts...
Showing posts with label pastor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pastor. Show all posts
Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, September 25, 2009
5 Things You Should Never Say From the Pulpit
In one way or another, we all have targets painted on us. Whether it be for criticism or practical jokes, at some point someone is going to grab a handful of darts and start a game.
Pastors have it the worst. They get up every week and tell people how to be like Jesus and are expected to practice what they preach, even if we would never expect that of ourselves. They become the target of our own feelings of insecurities, failures, and judgementalism. After all, it's easier to blame the pastor.
One tool people will use to throw darts at the pastor is criticizing the sermon. And so, to help all you pastors out there, I've compiled a list of 5 things you should never say from the pulpit, all of which I have heard said.
1. If you can't see because the overhead light that illuminates your notes is not on, do NOT say, "Can I get a light?" Someone might bring you a cigarette and a lighter and that could seriously cause some darts to start flying after church!
2. Unintentional potty jokes. DON'T double the word, "do" as in, "We don't do bad things, but we DO do good things." The "do do" part will make all the children make that laugh in the back of their throat. This will make me laugh, too because I just can't resist. This goes hand-in-hand with putting a dramatic pause right after an enunciated, "BUT..." Your dramatic pause will be wasted. Try, "However..." instead.
3. I'm not sure I should mention this one, so I'll try to put it as lightly as I can. Remember that you are NOT the microphone, thus you should be careful how you ask the microphone to be turned on. Read that carefully a few times.
4. Any reference to an rated-R movie you've seen. Yes, half of the congregation has seen it, but you'll be the only one who's the hypocrite!
5. And finally...and this one actually came from one of my junior high students...never, ever from the pulpit mention your wife's age!
My father-in-law has said some pretty funny things from the pulpit. I'd love to compile a bigger list, so bring it on! Let's hear from you!
Pastors have it the worst. They get up every week and tell people how to be like Jesus and are expected to practice what they preach, even if we would never expect that of ourselves. They become the target of our own feelings of insecurities, failures, and judgementalism. After all, it's easier to blame the pastor.
One tool people will use to throw darts at the pastor is criticizing the sermon. And so, to help all you pastors out there, I've compiled a list of 5 things you should never say from the pulpit, all of which I have heard said.
1. If you can't see because the overhead light that illuminates your notes is not on, do NOT say, "Can I get a light?" Someone might bring you a cigarette and a lighter and that could seriously cause some darts to start flying after church!
2. Unintentional potty jokes. DON'T double the word, "do" as in, "We don't do bad things, but we DO do good things." The "do do" part will make all the children make that laugh in the back of their throat. This will make me laugh, too because I just can't resist. This goes hand-in-hand with putting a dramatic pause right after an enunciated, "BUT..." Your dramatic pause will be wasted. Try, "However..." instead.
3. I'm not sure I should mention this one, so I'll try to put it as lightly as I can. Remember that you are NOT the microphone, thus you should be careful how you ask the microphone to be turned on. Read that carefully a few times.
4. Any reference to an rated-R movie you've seen. Yes, half of the congregation has seen it, but you'll be the only one who's the hypocrite!
5. And finally...and this one actually came from one of my junior high students...never, ever from the pulpit mention your wife's age!
My father-in-law has said some pretty funny things from the pulpit. I'd love to compile a bigger list, so bring it on! Let's hear from you!
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