The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: REDUCE (11/05/15)
Cast:
Pastor Green (PG)
Pastor Black (PB)

The scene is set in the church office. PG is sitting at the desk, surrounded by stacks of papers, rough shaven and looking decidedly haggard. He can't decide whether to stare blankly at the piece of paper on his desk or doodle on it.

PB: knocks on door, yawns Anyone in?

PG: jumps in shock, then hastily hides paper and pencil Er… Come in!

PB: enters, looking equally rough shaven and haggard. Flops wearily into chair PG is indicating beside him. Sorry, phone call overran.

PG: No worries, brother. Pastoral duty calling?

PB: Not half! Didn't think I'd ever get here.

PG: You timed it well. I was tinkering with the idea of taking a break.

PB: Oh, good! I'm in need of one too. We’ve got a few minute for a coffee before I’ve got to leave for the inter-church mission meeting.

PG: Oh, go on then. Goes to switch on kettle. Tea or coffee?

PB: Coffee, please. As strong as you can make it. Going to need it with the day I've got.

PG: Trust me, I know the feeling. Here we go. Walks back to the table with the coffees.

PB: Thank you. Takes a sip: winces. My! That's potent! Just what's needed. Can't recall the last time I drank a hot cup of coffee. Usually, by the time I get round to it, they've gone cold.

PG: My trick is half making a cuppa, then the phone rings and I forget about it. I come back an hour later to something undrinkable. I think the last time was when Fr Michael and I ended up playing ‘I packed my bag.’ Better playing a child's game than having a big theological debate. Leans back in his chair. It was fun, though.

PB: I'm sure. Can't remember the last time I played that.

PG: Haven’t had so much fun in a long while; breaks are so few and far between. My schedule is beyond crazy!

PB: Tell me about it! You know, I'd love to go out for a round of golf sometime. But if I'm not doing house visits, I'm on some training course or preparing sermons.

PG: Don't I know it! And meetings, too. I'm still trying to appease my wife after forgetting her birthday last month.

PB: chuckles I heard about that. How did you manage that?

PG: I couldn’t remember why I'd left that evening free in my diary. It just seemed like a golden opportunity to have the emergency meeting to decide the future of the church knitting club. Smiles. It was a relief to stand down as treasurer. Pity I had to take the role of chair instead, though.

PB: My commiserations. By the way, I'm seeing my son and his family next weekend.

PG: Very nice. How's the little one?

PB: That’s why I'm going. I'm officiating at his dedication.

PG: How wonderful! What an honour to be asked.

PB: Actually, my daughter-in-law told me the reason they asked me to officiate was to guarantee I'd be there.

PG: I see. Well, I've got a very busy weekend coming up. Lots to do and prepare...

PB: Sounds interesting. What are you doing?

PG: I’ve got that 24/7 prayer event: "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening," I think it’s called.

PB: grunts. Lucky you, having the time for such things!

PG: If only! I’m organising the thing. Organising such a prestigious event is no mean feat.

PB: At least you've got a team around you.

PG: looks horrified. Are you kidding? Much easier to do it all myself than deal with the politics and so forth.

PB: True. When is it?

PG: The fifteenth. Can you go?

PB: flicks through diary. Lovely as that would be, I've got an elder’s meeting, a coffee morning and then a meeting with the local park committee that day. All terribly important and can't be missed or rearranged, you understand. Plus I'm going to a conference.

PG: I'm surprised you've got the time for such things!


PB: I'm not going to listen! I'm speaking. I was asked months ago. Apparently I was recommended.

PG: Kudos to you. What are you preaching on?

PB: I haven't written it yet – well, you know how busy I've been. The title I've been given is “Dangerous diaries: Protecting yourself and your ministry from burnout.”

PG: Sounds like it would be useful to hear. Yawns. Shame I won’t have the time.

***

Author's note: conference title taken from 1 Sam 3:9 NLT
Fiction
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 637 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Noel Mitaxa 
11/13/15
Love the irony that surges throughout this piece.
Zacharia Fox
11/14/15
Intriguing title made amusing by the skit:) I can totally relate to these two gentlemen and find myself in need of that sermon mentioned! Great job
Verna Cole Mitchell 
11/15/15
I enjoyed the skit and thought it illustrated the topic perfectly. Growing up in a preacher's home, I could really identify with the way pastors are stretched thin.
Judy Sauer 
11/15/15
Very entertaining story. You kept my interest throughout. I'm a bit confused though. Is reduce inferred because of the pastor's hectic schedules?

Overall, well written dialog, and actions.
LaVonne Wood
11/15/15
We live in a small town and our pastor seems to be involved in every event (non pastoral related) that comes along. Why is it people think a pastor is required to freely give of his time to everything they can think of to do?

I liked the ending, not having time to attend a lecture on how to reduce ones schedule. Good take on subject. Blessings, LaVonne