Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Sizzle (05/02/13)
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TITLE: A Church on Fire | Previous Challenge Entry
By Danielle Burke
05/09/13 -
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Instead, though, there were grumblings at the church, mainly centering around Sartis Stonewell, the young associate pastor, a man who James thought had plenty of sizzle. Sartis wanted to do something different. Just that past Sunday, he stood up at the pulpit and announced the church should throw open its doors to the community for a Vacation Bible School that summer. While VBS had been a longstanding tradition at their church, it mainly consisted of members' children, the quiet, well-behaved sort, and a few of their friends.
After Sartis's announcement, Violetta Mayfield hadn't even waited for James to make it to the front doors to see his congregation out. There she stood in the middle of the aisle, her mouth pursed, and her forehead wrinkled above bulging eyes. Garnett Woodrow and Stella Jones stood behind her, but Violetta was clearly the spokesperson.
“So, Pastor, you mean to have them in this new church building? Destroying everything we've worked for?” Although James didn't think it possible, Violetta's eyebrows rose even higher.
“Mrs. Mayfield, with all due respect,” James began, “I think it's a worthwhile suggestion to consider. Think of how many people could be reached for God. Young people, whose parents might then follow. Why, we might even have to expand again one of these days!” James's excitement showed in his flushed face.
“Let me tell you something, Pastor. I didn't sink my late husband's money into this church in order to see it destroyed by hoodlums. You better talk some sense into this young man.” Violetta concluded her speech with an emphatic nod of her head. Garnett and Stella reminded James of bobble head dolls as they echoed Violetta's sentiments.
“Mrs. Mayfield, I would just ask that you pray about the situation.” James plastered a conciliatory smile on his face.
“Hrrrph. You mark my words, Pastor.” Violetta pointed a finger at him. “That young man will ruin this church.” With that, she turned and marched down the aisle. After casting disparaging glances at James, Stella and Garnett followed.
Since Sunday, James had received several phone calls. Violetta and her friends were obviously making the rounds, threatening to pull their financial support, and people were frightened.
These thoughts occupied James's mind as he stood over his breakfast. God, he prayed, reveal yourself to us and bring our hearts back to righteousness.
The phone rang, interrupting James's fervent prayer. “Pastor!” James heard the urgency in the church custodian's voice. “I've already called the fire department, but smoke is pouring out of the church, right from around the steeple. You better get down here.”
Upon his arrival at the church, James's face blanched.
“You can't go in right now, Pastor,” the fire chief informed him. “There's too much smoke and remnants are still sizzling hot in there. Faulty wiring is the cause, I'd say.”
God, James prayed, this was not the type of sizzling I wanted.
As other members arrived, James gathered them in the parking lot. Give me the words, God, he prayed.
And suddenly, the words were there, pouring forth. “My friends, with devastation always comes opportunity. The chief has instructed me we can't go into the church. But that's okay. For that building is not the church. God's church stands here, all of us gathered around. Now nothing separates us from the lost in our community. As the remnants in the sanctuary burn and cause us sadness, let us cast that mourning off as we burn out here for the Lord. Let's not be lukewarm, let's go beyond simmering, and surpass even a low boil. Let's strive for sizzling as we move forward.”
At the end of this statement, James caught Violetta's eye as she stood midway up in the crowd. She gave an emphatic nod of her head, and Stella and Garnett smiled their approbation.
As the crowd dispersed, many with smiles on their faces, Violetta approached James. “Sizzle. Not a word often used by an older pastor.” A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
James grinned in return. “Mrs. Violetta, you'll have to join me for a bacon breakfast one morning.”
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