Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

Bad Joke (6/1/93)

Any preacher serious about his calling knows only too well the dangers of standing before a congregation & speaking words that are irretrievable. One of my regular, personal prayers before every Sunday morning is "Lord, speak to me, & through me, & help me stay out of Your way." However, one week, some time ago, I got in the Lord's way, & I had to apologize.

I told a lawyer joke (that wasn't in my notes) that some visitors found offensive, especially since their daughter was soon to graduate from law school. And instead of leaving worship considering their relationship with God, they left bewildered by my insensitive & unnecessary words. And the kind-hearted one who invited them was placed in the awkward position of trying to defend me.

A few thoughts regarding the incident:

1. I appreciate that the person approached me, personally. Instead of hiding "anonymously" behind another person or cranking up the rumor mill, she straightforwardly offered me a simple "Jim, I want to share with you something about your sermon that bothered me." Although not comfortable for either of us, this private confrontation revealed honesty, courage & love, & was a model of the way all such situations are to be dealt with in the church.

2. Preaching is serious business. I can still hear the voice of my preaching mentor warning us about the danger of humor, & how, unchecked, it can cause us to "lose proper exaltation to the business of the Gospel." In other words, if people are going to be offended, let it be because of the cross of Christ & nothing less. My worst nightmare is that something I've said or done has caused someone to turn away from Christ & His church.

As difficult as this is for me to write, I feel it's necessary. We all stumble in many ways, some of us just more publically than others. But the beauty of grace is that if you'll continue to love & forgive & encourage ME in what I do well, & I do the same with YOU, God will somehow use ALL of us to draw others to Himself.


Jim Dewar --