Herman's Stand
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Herman is a courageous Christian who is not afraid to take a stand even if others might perceive it as unpopular. He wanted to limit the number of liquor licenses in the township. "There are more places with liquor licenses than there are churches," he said, "three or four liquor establishments to every one church."
Herman prayed for guidance in this matter while at the same time doing research. He discovered that if he collected enough signatures the question of liquor licenses could be placed on the spring primary ballot. He made some telephone calls, trying to get others to help him in his effort. He was interviewed by the local newspaper. He explained his views on the subject, certain that the majority of the residents would agree with him to limit liquor licenses. He cited statistics about alcohol abuse as it related to accidents and domestic relations in the state. Herman arranged for several area churches to hold drive-through petition signings. He worked hard to get the word out. The day before the drive-through petition signing Herman was interviewed by the local television station. The next evening there was a report from one of the churches showing a driver signing the petition.
In the thirty days Herman had to collect signatures two things happened. First, he fell short of his goal of 25 percent of the registered voters. He had to admit that he did not have the support he thought he would. Second, he was unmercifully criticized. Much of the criticism was nasty and mean-spirited. There were letters to the editor of the local newspaper, claiming that Herman was "holier than thou" and judgmental. The day after the petition drive ended the local newspaper, on the front page in bold letters, proclaimed "Prohibitionist's Effort Fails." He received much mail at home that was critical of his stand. One restaurant owner wrote telling him how such action would severely harm the township because there would be enormous loss of income as businesses would locate elsewhere, which would translate into higher taxes for residents.
Another restaurant owner told how he makes donations to community causes and how concerned he is in regards to the community, but he thought Herman's approach was all wrong. Even his answering machine often contained critical messages left by anonymous callers.
The spark was missing in Herman's eyes as he was portrayed in negative, critical ways. Through it all his friends saw a different side of him, a side they had never seen before -- humility. "At least I tried," he said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. Herman accepted the criticism; he accepted defeat. Yet, regardless of the opinions of others, he believed that he had the best interest of the community in his heart.
Herman prayed for guidance in this matter while at the same time doing research. He discovered that if he collected enough signatures the question of liquor licenses could be placed on the spring primary ballot. He made some telephone calls, trying to get others to help him in his effort. He was interviewed by the local newspaper. He explained his views on the subject, certain that the majority of the residents would agree with him to limit liquor licenses. He cited statistics about alcohol abuse as it related to accidents and domestic relations in the state. Herman arranged for several area churches to hold drive-through petition signings. He worked hard to get the word out. The day before the drive-through petition signing Herman was interviewed by the local television station. The next evening there was a report from one of the churches showing a driver signing the petition.
In the thirty days Herman had to collect signatures two things happened. First, he fell short of his goal of 25 percent of the registered voters. He had to admit that he did not have the support he thought he would. Second, he was unmercifully criticized. Much of the criticism was nasty and mean-spirited. There were letters to the editor of the local newspaper, claiming that Herman was "holier than thou" and judgmental. The day after the petition drive ended the local newspaper, on the front page in bold letters, proclaimed "Prohibitionist's Effort Fails." He received much mail at home that was critical of his stand. One restaurant owner wrote telling him how such action would severely harm the township because there would be enormous loss of income as businesses would locate elsewhere, which would translate into higher taxes for residents.
Another restaurant owner told how he makes donations to community causes and how concerned he is in regards to the community, but he thought Herman's approach was all wrong. Even his answering machine often contained critical messages left by anonymous callers.
The spark was missing in Herman's eyes as he was portrayed in negative, critical ways. Through it all his friends saw a different side of him, a side they had never seen before -- humility. "At least I tried," he said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. Herman accepted the criticism; he accepted defeat. Yet, regardless of the opinions of others, he believed that he had the best interest of the community in his heart.
