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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Funny (10/04/12)
Pastor Ken finished leading the last song of worship. "I want to let you know that the man with the cheese head hat and the Packer jersey is actually our Pastor. Maybe we should call him Pastor Cheese Head."

Pastor John stood up and walked towards the pulpit. "You're really funny, Pastor Ken. At least I am wearing the proper clothing for the big game."

Pastor Ken rolled his eyes. "John at least wear the proper clothing for going to church."

John set his Bible down on the pulpit and opened it up. “Are you guys and gals ready to see the Vikings lose? Your Vikings won't win because they're just a bunch of losers."

The congregation started to jeer. Then Pastor Ken got up from his seat just behind the pulpit and grabbed a mic and stood by John. Spit sprayed from his mouth when he spoke. "Pastor, how dare you say that in Vikings country? You've offended the whole church."

Pastor John turned his head and smiled at Ken. "Good job Ken. You can sit back down now." Ken went back and took his seat.

One could have heard a pin drop in the sanctuary as Pastor John continued on. "Why do you have confused looks on your faces? I asked Ken to play along with me. This was a joke."

The people started to smile. "When you tease someone, how do you determine what is funny and what's not? The joke about the Packers beating the Vikings can be expected, because you know I am a big Packer fan. I realized when I said it that calling the Vikings a 'bunch of losers' was offensive. I did so on purpose to prove a point. When we joke around we need to be careful about what we say. I had learning disabilities when I was little. My classmates called me stupid. Their words have affected my whole life. I didn't think their words were funny. The church bought me a laptop so I can write sermons when I am away from the office. What if I took that laptop and went to the roof and dropped it? When it landed on the ground it would break into a million pieces, and you would not be able to repair it. We think we're funny when we make a wisecrack, but the broken computer is an example of what our words can do to a person. In the book of James it talks about starting a forest fire with our words. Do you start a forest fire with your words? It's not a bad thing to joke around with people. We want to build people up, not tear them down. Just to let you know, I will never call the Vikings a bunch of losers ever again. Pastor Ken, would you like to lead us in a prayer?"

While Pastor Ken was praying, John walked to entrance to greet people as they exited the sanctuary.

Vera was the first to greet Pastor. "Pastor, you did a good job of making your point. The first few minutes of your message you left me speechless. I‘ll be thinking about what I say from now on."

Pastor shook her hand. "I am glad my little stunt woke you up. We need to be careful when we joke around with people. Not every joke is funny."
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This article has been read 846 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynn Smith
10/11/12
A good lesson in this story.

God bless!
C D Swanson 
10/11/12
A prolific message in this well written entry...nicely done. I enjoyed it very much. God bless~
lynn gipson 
10/12/12
A friend reminded me the other day. "Once the words come out it's hard to take them back" A very good message here in a well written story. I think you have talent for writing!

God BLess
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
10/13/12
I am really touched by your message. When you talked about dropping the laptop from the roof and seeing it splattered in pieces instantly made me think of the little boy who each time he was called stupid or made fun of, to him it felt like being dropped from the roof. A laptop can be repaired but it takes a thousand "good jobs" to erase one "stupid kid".

The beginning did puzzle me a bit. You said he was leading the song but instead he made the comment. I wonder if it would have been more of an attention grabber had you started off with the one pastor charging out of his seat. Then have the other repeat what he said and carry on from there.

You covered the topic in a slightly different way which is refreshing. Your message about how words can have a lifelong impact on someone really touched my heart. This is a great way to get the congregation's attention. Some people think ministers are above reproach so not only did the stunt show how words can hurt, it also would be a great lesson in pastors are just people too. Nice job.
Judy Sauer 
10/18/12
A wonderful story that conveyed morals, values, ethics all rolled into one sermon.

Your story kept me engaged all the way through... and especially the added icing on the cake reminder to the woman who needed a clue.
Wilma Schlegel
10/18/12
This really touched me. It's a message that needs to be spread. Thank you.
PamFord Davis 
10/18/12
Congratulations, Ken!

Wing His Words!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
10/18/12
Congratulations my friend! Happy dance! See yo in level 2!
Dannie Hawley 
10/18/12
Wow, Ken! First place this week. Terrific and a giant congrats! On to Level 2 .
Bea Edwards 
10/19/12
Congratulations on your 1st place win Ken!
Well written story with a timeless message.
C D Swanson 
10/19/12
Congrats and God Bless~
Rose king
10/23/12
that was an interesting piece.reminding us to be thoughtful of what we say about others.