People often ask, “Why did you get out of the
ministry?” I chalk it up as ignorance to
what are the ministries of a Director of Missions. As a pastor people would tease me about not
working for a living. I would tell them
if they would get right with God, they could be a pastor. Others would say, “I wish I had a job where I
worked three hours a week.” I gave the
same response. Get right with God and
you will work only three hours a week.
Now as a Director of Missions they pay me not to preach.
When asked what I miss most about being a pastor, I
tell them the discipline of sermon preparation, visiting people in the
hospital, and the children. I did make
friends with the children of Bethel Baptist Association serving there fourteen
years. I really miss my time at pastors’
pals.
I always had a fun, spiritual, and humorous time
sharing the child version of my sermon.
I have had the congregation say that I needed to do the whole sermon
like a pastors’ pals. I could not figure
if I was childish or if the congregation’s educational level demanded I do the
children’s version.
While at Gallion Baptist Church, I attended an Alabama
Baptist State Board of Missions event where the host church had a pamphlet just
for children. It was trifold with a
picture of Jesus playing with children.
I brought it back and created my own version. I downloaded a penciled etching of Jesus
playing with the children and pasted it on the front. The inside was blank except for one
line: This blank page is place you can
doodle, draw, or write. I have some of
the drawings in my keepsake stuff.
I have often wondered why Jesus’ twelve disciples
tried to keep the children from seeing Jesus and sitting in His lap. Well, the other day I reminisced about my pastors’
pals and other times I have entertained children. They are honest, and they listen when you do
not think they are. Two things came to
me. One, they recognized who Jesus
was. Two, they were brutally honest and
were willing to share. I had church
members that wanted me to discontinue my pastors’ pals but I am a Rebel and
understand the bond of children with their pastor.
One time I was preaching, and I asked a question. It was not rhetorical. I wanted feedback. A little boy answered. His mother scolded him, then I said, “Please
do not scold him. He answered the
question because he was listening.”
I could write a book about the Godly, humorous, and
embarrassing responses from my pastors’ pals.
Some of my pals are over thirty years old now. They remember some of the exciting and
wonderful lessons they learned.
I will never forget the threat of a momma one Sunday
at Friendship Baptist in Clanton. Pastors’
pals surrounded me. The pianist had a
special tune which caused them to rush to the stage. This morning was Mother’s
Day. I was talking with them about
telling their moms that they loved them. I mentioned something about thanking them
for living in nice homes and to do something special for them, such as picking
them flowers.
Little Samuel Botts said, “We ain’t got no nice house.” I said, “You live in a nice home because I
have been there.” His response erupted
in congregational laughter and a death threat from his mom who was sitting in
the choir. He said, “It ain’t never
clean.” His momma yelled, Samuel Botts I’m
gonna kill you.” She didn’t.
As I think about him and dozens like him, I understand
possibly why the disciples wanted to keep the children away.
And they brought unto him also
infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked
them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come
unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein (Luke 18:15-17)
By-the-way, little Samuel Botts, now thirty years old
serves on the security team at his church.
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