His First and Only Pastorate

The young and eager parson had completed his seminary education. He girded his loins to battle sin and lead the wayward to salvation! The pastoral selection committee after a long and deliberate search, Invited him to pastor at their little Hoosier country church. His pay was meager, the manse was dismal, the church a century old. There were fifty crabby souls to be shepherded in that stalwart fold. They were set in their ways, each as cantankerous as an army mule! He was to face trying times that they didn't teach about in school! His first sermon implied that each of them was destined for Hell! Since is flock claimed to be saved and sanctified, that didn't go over well! The formidable church board met with him and raked him over the coals. How dare he affront with such blather, these charitable Christian souls! He jazzed up the music, since they'd sung the same old hymns for years. That upset the choir director and organist, causing a cascade of tears! He changed the order of worship and the way Sunday School was to be run. And discord arose when he changed the way communion was to be done! As time went on he and his flock reached an amiable accommodation, That led to growth and his forty years serving that faithful congregation. As a young parson, to be a simple country preacher was all he aspired. They honored him with the title "Pastor Emeritus" when he retired! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)