Wednesday, October 07, 2009

The Rumor

Ever been a part of a rumor mill? Have you ever been the topic of a rumor?

Well, I am currently the center of a hilariously false rumor going around town. I heard about it at the Hog Fry last Saturday.

One of the guests at the event heard several things about our church lately. It all started with our starting a new church, the Native Fellowship Baptist Church, which meets in our fellowship hall. There is a history with our church that goes back about 7-10 years, which includes two church splits and LOTS of hard feelings. (I didn't know all of the history when I took the church, but that isn't important right now.)

About ten days ago or so, I put up a new message on our road-side sign that said, "New Church Plant Event, Indian Hog Fry, Saturday 1-5 pm"



Then later in the week, the following ad came out in the Wagoner Tribune:



Well, my friend saw one of her friends out at Wal-Mart and was told, "It's about time that Immanuel Baptist Church finally shut down! I'm glad there's another church going in there." Then she also heard from another friend that I had resigned!

Personally, I am conflicted about these rumors. On one hand, I think they are funny! God is doing such amazing things at our church that the evil one thinks (thought) he could sabotage it with silly rumors. On the other hand, I am sad that people, even church-going folk don't understand about churches starting other churches. It happens so seldom that when it does, people think that one church is 'going out of business' and another one is going to take its place.

I am so proud of my church. They are living out the Great Commission in the best way they know how, one step at a time. They are finally looking outside of the four walls and seeing the lostness of our own society. Soon, as we grow together, they will recognize the need is greater than even their own neighbors and will take the Good News to areas that are different than their own comfort zone.

Last Sunday, I announced the Oklahoma-East Asia Partnership and mentioned that we need to participate BY GOING! I had a lot of people give the "second look" kind of thing when I said that everyone who just said in their heart "not me" is probably the ones that will end up going!

These kinds of rumors are almost funny; there are other kinds though, that ruin reputations. I hope I'm never the center of THOSE kids of rumors!

6 comments:

Monk-in-Training said...

Rumors.

I found out a great one about me, aliens, and aluminum. It was really different, but amusing.

Rick Boyne said...

Oh! That is too good to NOT share. Be a pal and tell us all about it!

Monk-in-Training said...

One hot summer day I returned from being out at lunch, and was putting a sun visor in my car, as well as an aluminum/mylar cover over my steering wheel.

A co-worker walking by asked me why I was doing that. Thinking thath the scorching Oklahoma heat would have been self evident, I quipped that "everyone knows that Aliens speak to us via the air bag controls in your steering wheel".

I happily walked back to my desk.

Some weeks later, I was walking past some other co-workers and noticed theme stop whispering as I approched.

Upon interrogation, they admitted they were discussing my involvement with Aliens, mind readers, and possible abduction scenarios( there was a dark suggestions of abuse during the abductions).

It took me a while to figure out the source, but I did.

OH MY

:)

selahV said...

Monk..that is hilarious. and what wit you have. oh my. my grandson is gonna love this story. ha ha ha. You made my day! selahV

Anonymous said...

The deacons had one about me. When wireless mics first came out our pastor wanted one, so he got one. I had to put in a new 9-volt battery every Sunday morning, and since he put the mic on in his study, I had to change it out in the sanctuary.
A few weeks later he told me the deacons didn't like me doing that. Seems they thought he had a pacemaker and they didn't want just 'anybody' changing the batteries in it. They felt a medical person needed to change the battery.
The pastor set them straight.
Bob S

Rick Boyne said...

Bob, that is SO FUNNY!