William Sloan Coffin, Jr. tells...
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William Sloan Coffin, Jr. tells the story about a preacher with a strong social conscience and prophetic preaching style that many members of his church were offended by what he preached. At one point, when his message was particularly strong, some of the elders gathered for what they judged would be a final vote to get rid of their troublesome preacher. One of the staid old gentlemen could not be at the meeting, however. His friends thought surely they knew how he would vote but they dared not assume too much so they contacted him. When he heard what they were voting on, he interrupted them. Absolutely not, do not vote him out!
His friends were surprised. Surely the old gentleman didn't agree with what the young preacher was preaching. No, in fact, he added what he is preaching sounds very dangerous. But, that preacher sat with my wife and held her hand during the last 24 hours of her life. He then sat with me for the next 24 hours of my life. He can preach whatever he thinks needs preaching; he remains my pastor.
His friends were surprised. Surely the old gentleman didn't agree with what the young preacher was preaching. No, in fact, he added what he is preaching sounds very dangerous. But, that preacher sat with my wife and held her hand during the last 24 hours of her life. He then sat with me for the next 24 hours of my life. He can preach whatever he thinks needs preaching; he remains my pastor.
