Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ENVY (jealousy of anothers advantage) (02/12/15)
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TITLE: The Last Vine-Worker | Previous Challenge Entry
By David Butler
02/19/15 -
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He drew out the letter from his pocket again to make sure he wasnât just dreaming. Sure enough, his dazed eyes found the fatal line:
ââŚwe regret to inform you that you were unsuccessfulâŚâ
He crumpled it and shoved it back into his pocket.
Cecelia glanced anxiously at him.
âLetâs get coffee, Hon. We got ten minutes.â
They joined the queue where he recognized some of his chief supporters â his âAmen Cornerâ as he called them. They never failed to show up whenever he was preaching, always occupying the front pews. He began to feel better.
Brother Marshall stepped up. He was an influential businessman.
âBrother Jack! I heard the news from Marion at reception. I just canât believe you missed out on that eldership position. We were all expecting you to be first choice by far. After all the work youâve done. You built up the church admin structure from nothing. You organized the finances. You made this church into the big success it is today. No wonder you were made head deacon.â
âAmen!â corroborated Brother âHill-Billyâ, an old southerner. âAnd the way youâm ministerinâ the Word is just outa this world. I never heerd no one preach with such good Barble-sturdyinâ and so clear.â
âDocâ James nearby was scratching his balding head in puzzlement. âWhat on earth was Pastor thinking of, passing on you like that? Youâve been studying hard for your Masters in Ministry on top of all the other work you do here⌠and a full time job. You deserve recognition. Itâs not the way I'd run a church.â
âYup!â agreed Brother Bill heatedly. âAnd instyead, he harrs this furreign blackâŚ.â
He stopped and blushed.
Brother Marshall stepped into the awkward breach, gesturing emphatically with his spectacles.
âListen Jack! My company can do with a man like you. If Pastor doesnât recognize a brilliant leader when he sees one, I do! We need more godly folks with your talent in the market-place. You can start with full executiveâs wages. What dâyou say?â
Jack smiled, but raised his hand deprecatingly.
âThanks Brother, but my dream has always been to serve in full-time ministry. Gentlemen, we canât criticize Pastor behind his back. Iâm sure he has his reasons. Heâs a wise and godly man, and I support his decisions, even whenâŚ..â He paused.
ââŚ.you donât agree with them.â finished the doctor grimly. âEven though you're the man for the job. Well, I admire your humility, Brother, but maybe you should try a church where your zeal and talents will be appreciated. Tell me if you do, and Iâm with you.â
He stalked off, nearly colliding with a young Afro-American couple, just arriving.
These had obviously come from âthe other side of the track.â They were covered with tattoos, but their faces shone with the glory of God, bubbling with excitement.
They grabbed coffee, remembered their manners, apologized loudly and joined the queue. Brother Bill eyed them askance.
âI thought this was a leadersâ meeting.â Marshall muttered.
This didnât seem to bother the new couple.
âAint this like sooooo cool?â the girl declared to the assembly. âWe found Jesus a-coz of Bro âWundu. Mah Maw and Paw got savedâŚâ
ââŚand da whooooole neighbor-herd too.â added the boy, jiving for joy. âWe got revival in da streets, man! Bro âWunduâs gonna be pro-mOdead, so we come to celly-brate foâ him.â
âSo that's whatâs been happening at the other service.â Cecelia whispered excitedly.
âHowâd you hear about this promotion?â asked Jack loudly, unimpressed.
The couple immediately plunged into a talented rendition of âI Heard it on the Grapevineâ with full choreography. Half the assembly cheered and clapped.
Jack finally exploded.
âThis is all crazy! I got as many saved as he did! I worked harder than he did. I've been around far longer than him. But do I get any âcelly-brationâ for it? Nooo!â
A deathly silence followed. Every eye in the room was upon him, including Pastor Danâs.
Jack sat down red-faced, his head in his hands.
Pastor Dan sat down with him.
âJack, listen. We all know the wonderful work youâve done. Didnât you read my explanation in that letter? Brother Uwundu has pastored many churches in his own land, even under constant persecution. He barely escaped with his life. He felt called to continue his work in our unreached community. Now that the church is growing, we need his pastoring style in our leadership team. Your time will come.â
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Didn't see the ending coming at all. Superbly done.
God bless~