After my experience last night, and in light of pastor appreciation month, I felt compelled to write this article. If you are interested in this Sunday's sermon, just read 2 Timothy 3:15-16 to get ready for a message on inspiration. Here's to ministry! Often my fellow pastors and dear colleagues at the church, Jared, Derek, Ken, and I, joke to each other about how we would love to teach a class in Seminary called, "Secrets they don't teach you about pastoring." Over the years we have been asked to do things as pastors we would never think of in our wildest imaginations. We have come to the conclusion that the music group the Doors are right on two counts: "People are Strange" and when life happens, you must "Take it as It Comes." And after my experience last night, I realized this thrill ride called 'pastoring' never ends. Let me tell you about last night, and a couple other experiences I have been a part of over the years... IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT For the last year I have been working with a fun young couple preparing them for a life of marital bliss. Well last night was their night - - they joined hands together in front of 200 hundred family members and friends as they pledged to commit their hearts and lives in an unconditional covenant of love before God. It was one exciting evening! However, it turned out to provide a little more excitement than they, or I, was bargaining for... First of all, the ceremony was to be outside. The couple found the perfect spot to say their vows; it was located by a beautiful garden grove with a bubbling fountain and shaded backdrop of pine trees and towering oaks. The reception immediately following was inside an adjacent barn-house and party grounds situated on a quiet country farm that sold pumpkins and hot apple cider. Secondly, the timing for the event was 7:30 p.m. Romance was in the air! As a responsible pastor, I arrived an hour early to make sure everything was in order: certificate signed, wedding party dressed and in position, and that also gave me some time to rehearse the message before the ceremony was to begin. After I parked my car I noticed that the sky had a few dark clouds rolling in. I asked one of the uncles of the groom, "Think the weather will hold out?" His response was positive, "Oh sure, it won't rain at least until about 8:00 or 8:30. We will be fine!" I am not sure if he noticed the few drops of rain that already were appearing on the shoulder of his suit jacket? Another thing, not only was the sun hidden under the dark clouds, but did you know it gets darker much earlier in the fall than it does in the summer? At 7:00 p.m. I was having a hard time seeing the words in my bible and we still had a half-an-hour to go. Well as 7:30 approached, the guests came streaming in and were promptly seated. I kept looking up wondering when the sky was going to open up, and I kept looking down to see when I could no longer read the message I had written on my papers. Right as the father was walking his daughter, the bride, down the isle, the rain came tumbling down in the dark of night. What is a pastor to do? No one ever told me about this? Thinking on my feet I realized there was only one option, improvise - - and get the ceremony over fast. Needless to say, the couple was married, vows were given, rings were exchanged, and it turned out to be "a night to remember!" A wet, dark, joyous occasion! THAT 70'S SHOW Speaking of weddings, I was asked to do a 20th year re-commitment ceremony a few years back. A couple that I consider my dear friends came into my office and asked if I would mind performing a vow recommital ceremony for them. I replied, "Sure, I would love too!" They were really excited, we had a blast planning it, and right as they were leaving my office they turned and said, "Oh, by the way, the theme of the ceremony is 70's night. Dress up like a hippy and we will have a funky good time. You will love it." So my wife and I went shopping the next few weeks at some Good Will Stores to find just the perfect outfit. As we were getting ready to leave my oldest daughter turned to me and said, "Dad, why are you dressed up like Jerry Lewis?" I replied, "It's all part of pastoring my dear..." AN ISLAND FUNERAL Speaking of the 70's, if you grew up on television like I did, you will immediately recognize these lyrics,: Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip That started from this tropic port Aboard this tiny ship. Off course you know it, "Gilligan's Island." Well believe it or not, knowing the tune to this simple little ditty turned out to be a vital pastoral tool to help a family in a very serious crisis. One afternoon I got a call that a dear woman, who was the wife of one of our members, was dying. I rushed over to the house and there she was lying in bed surrounded by her family. They asked me to pray and sing. For some reason I told them that I knew how to sing the song "Amazing Grace" to the "Gilligan Island's" music. The mother's face brightened as she was lying in her bed, and she turned to me saying, "Oh please, could you?" So, as a good pastor, I did. She asked for me to sing it a few more times while a small smile settled upon her face. Two days later she died. And at the funeral the family asked me to sing it again because they knew their mom would want it sung! RIDING A JACK ASS The final story is not pretty. I was asked to ride a donkey to raise money for a local school. Donkey Base Ball - - local pastors were to ride beasts of burden to entertain a hungry crowd. When I was first asked all I can remember was the time I was bucked off a stubborn donkey at the age of 7. But since it was for charity, I was willing to swallow my pride and play Donkey Ball. Luckily my donkey was old, tired and slow (just like me), and I made it through the game without getting bucked off. A pastor's job is never done. Looking back on my 19 years of ministry I have been able to do things I never dreamed possible. I have been able to serve tremendous people and seen amazing works of God. I also now know why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:9-10: "We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe...we are fools for Christ's sake!" Ah ministry, there is nothing like it...
4 Comments
Darcey Atkins
10/9/2015 01:21:59 pm
Thank you, Pastor Chris, for amazing memories from last night's wedding. You did a wonderful job condensing the wedding ceremony into such a short one but still kept the message strong, you are truly what a real "Little Christ" is. Randy and I thank you so much!!!!!
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Chris
10/9/2015 03:22:42 pm
It really was my pleasure Darcee!
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Dawn Draper
10/9/2015 04:38:23 pm
You are one groovy pastor.....
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Jim
10/9/2015 05:36:44 pm
Thank you pastor Chris for being faithful through the years and being flexible to show the love of Christ.
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