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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Much Ado about Nothing (not about the play) (07/28/11)
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing,” Pastor Matthew said as we walked through the empty church. I felt the tension flow through me, and every muscle in my body stiffen. Being the week after Christmas, the building had fallen quiet. The peaceful and celebrator tone of the decorations comforted me, but made the conversation seem even more out of place.
“But, Matt, if God really did speak Revelation 3:1-6 to us as leaders, this is serious,” I said firmly wondering why I ever agreed to come onto the church staff.
“Wendy, we just had over 2, 000 people in Christmas worship. There are over 500 kids that have registered for Sunday School. You, even, just brought Katy to faith in your twenty-something group. She has left the gang, and has been transformed by the Holy Spirit. There is no way we are what that passage calls us. We are alive.”Matt said making his case, yet, again.
“Look, I am not saying it isn’t from God,” Matt stopped and put his hand on my shoulder in a condescending way. He was reminding me that he was twice my age with four times of the experience. To him, for better or worse, I was like his daughter. “
“It is either from God or it isn’t from God. The questions you need to answer are: “Do you think that Beth Jo did not hear from God?”, and then “Is the Board is wrong?” I said giving him a look that would chill Hitler. His hand came off my shoulder. This time I wanted a clear answer, for I was weary of having the same conversation every day. This was either from God or it was no big deal. There was no middle ground, even though Matt kept trying to make one.
“It does make sense if you think about it, according to the passage, there is a part of us that is really alive that we are to strengthen, however, most of us are dead.” I said calling him out into the truth. His eyes opened wide and stared at me. He did not know that I had it in me.
“So, you are calling our 1,000 plus members spiritually dead? You are saying that what I have built over 26 years is barely breathing? You are saying we are zombies? Are you saying that in preaching over 2,000 times and performing over 1200 weddings and funerals that the gospel never took root in the hearts of our people? This is what you are saying if you say we are dead!” Matt shouted finally showing his true feelings. There was not a sound between us. It was so silent that we could hear the Christmas music that was playing on the other side of the complex.
“I didn’t say it, God did,” I said point blank trying to listen to God. The fear told me to back down. My heart deeply yearned for the congregation to have the transformative relationship with Jesus.
All of a sudden, Matt sat on the nearby bench and started to weep. Yet, if he was to keep following God, he would have to submit to him. He had to surrender the church that he planted to God. In our hearts, we, both, knew that God had spoken to the church through his word.
I awkwardly stood still watching my strong fifty year old pastor break down in tears. He didn’t want to believe it was from God. I wasn’t expecting that reaction, and they didn’t teach me how to handle this situation in Bible School. In fact, they really don’t teach me how to handle a lot of situations in Bible School.
“Matt, there is hope. God is addressing this in us. God can transform us. The Gospel Message will take root in the hearts of our people and in us. We just have to listen.” I said trying to comfort him and speaking truth. Matt nodded, and wiped the tears from his eyes. He stood up and we began walking again. “It will be okay, now, that we know it is the voice of God, and not nothing.” I said as I smiled at him, and he smiled back. Both of us knew at that moment that this would be a new chapter in our congregation. We would have a hard couple years in front of us. It wouldn’t be fun, but it would be of God.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Von Pickett
08/04/11
Interesting story. Is it true? It could be. The scripture in Revelation was a bit confusing I think because I was left to guess what the characters were really talking about? Also, I would look at reformatting the paragraphs.
Juliette Chamberlain-Bond
08/06/11
It can be difficult to get those in authority to listen when all the statistics seem to illustrate the opposite.
The real truth is as you state in the story, that all the work of our hands 'will fall to the ground,' unless it is God centred.
We need to hear God's voice on an ongoing basis otherwise our labour becomes 'much ado about nothing.'

You make the point effectively. I do think however, that you should break the story into paragraphs. As it stands, it may turn readers off.
Helen Carr
08/07/11
This is well done. I, too, wonder if it's a true account; either way, I know there would be many who have taken such a stand, and I'd like to congratulate them for that. It would be hard for the Pastor to hear this message, and take a great deal of humility to accept it and search God's heart.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/10/11
This is a nice story, it flowed well.

You do need to work a but on the mechanics (spacing, punctuation etc.) but the message is a good one. I'd also suggest you quote the verse your you were referencing to help the reader really understand the MC's main point

Nice job keeping on the topic. Keep writing.