We once had a minister whom I truly detested
Whose preaching was perhaps his very worst fault;
In fact I thought he should have been arrested
And charged with several counts of verbal assault!
He called us names, like “unrepentant sinners”
And once even said we were like “a brood of vipers”
We often saw him eating and drinking at public dinners
With unclean people like tax collectors and hucksters.
But now we have a minister whom I really admire
Whose sermons are always humorous and brief;
And although we know he’s “preaching to the choir”
It has been for us, something of a relief!!!
He tells us that God loves us ever so dearly
That it really doesn’t matter what we do or say;
And he says it so convincingly and so sincerely
That I no longer even feel the need to pray!
So tell me now, why is my soul so ill at ease
And why does my mind still wonder and doubt;
And why does my heart have no sense of peace
And why do I feel less fervent and devout???
I think I’d like my old minister back
For now I’ve come to realize and sense,
That he was probably right on track
And I was the one so dumb and dense
As to take umbrage and personal offense
At the Gospel’s attack against my indifference
And my spiritual and moral indolence!!!
Donald D. McCall is honorably retired
and lives in Madison, Wisc.
