Opening up the Cemetery

Fri, 29 Nov 1996

Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list No. 317 

Now here's an attention-getting way to begin a sermon!

(Reminds me of Tony Campolo's trick of saying a mild or
not-so-mild swear-word, followed with: 'Now you got more uptight about
that word than 10,000 starving children who died today' etc.) 

     Shalom!  Rowland Croucher

     Director, John Mark Ministries - resources for pastors/leaders.
       (Bookroom, library, and worldwide F.W.Boreham Trading Post)
                 Home Page: http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm

========================

At a study group I attend in Hickory, North Carolina, a fellow
Lutheran pastor had a suggestion that I think has some merit. He says he
is going to start his sermon Sunday something like this . . .

After a lot of thought and prayer, I have decided to call a church
council meeting immediately following worship service today.  I have a
proposal to make to the council that I feel has a lot of merit and
needs to be considered carefully.  It has to do with our church
cemetery.  I feel that we need to open it up so that anyone who wants
to be buried in it can be, and not just church members.  Not only that,
but I feel that this needs to be a gift we make to the community so we
will not charge non-members for being buried in our cemetery.  I know
that will make it fill up quicker and so we'll triple the charge for
members to pay for more land so we can bury non member.  

Do you know that since this sermon started, 10,000 people have died
from hunger?

Which are you more concerned over, our cemetary, or those 10,000
people.

It grabbed my attention.

Shalom,
Gary Coble
____________________________

Clergy/Leaders' Mailing List                        (Moderated)

This mailing list is open to all Christians via Internet e-mail 
and most fax destinations.

Submissions welcome: clergy@pastornet.net.au 

To unsubscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au 
                               with SUBJECT reading UNSUBSCRIBE

   Copyright: Postings may be re-sent ONLY with all copyright
                     notifications intact.

        A PastorNET ministry: manager@pastornet.net.au

Clergy Mailing List Index | Mailing List Index | PastorNET Home Page | John Mark Ministries Home Page