| THE CHURCH.....PG 1 This is a story that the Lord must have wanted told because even though I was in the middle of a different story a few summers ago.....I woke up with this one in my head and couldn't do anything till I had it on paper...... Enjoy!! |
It was a huge, majestic building A church made of polished stones With wide front steps, a steepled tower Where bells rang in solemn tones It once had stood outside the town Whose boundaries were quite clear But the town was now a sprawling city Crammed with crowds and crime and fear... The old church now stood right downtown Surrounded by an iron gate The congregation within its walls Were from old families around the state... They considered themselves society's cream The best of the very best; They came together for weekly worship Safely insulated from all the rest. The metropolis swirled around them The dirt, the crowds, the crime But tucked away inside each Sunday They gave the outside world no time Most of the parishioners Were very well-to-do Arrogance was quite prevalent Among this snobby crew! Even the pastor of this flock Although aged and very wise Had learned not to buck tradition Or form any common ties This church did no outreach work Had no programs to help the poor No street folks or vagrants Would dare come begging to their door! They considered themselves a breed apart And would never consent to mix With any of those less fortunate... New members were carefully picked! The old pastor once, quite long ago Had expressed out loud his doubts Saying Our Lord had not shunned anyone That it was wrong to keep folks out! But you could have heard a pin drop The day he let that sermon fly... The collection basket was passed around But that week came up dry! So rather than go bankrupt The pastor gave in without a fight... Without a word ever being spoken They made that sheperd see the light! For many years now, nothing'd changed Till the old paster died one day... The church elders asked the diocese To send a new one right away In the meantime...service continued Led by the elders and the deacons They'd do the preaching every week And serve as spiritual beacons Continued.... |
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