The Memorable Meeting
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
The church meeting erupted in contention over, of all things, a new piano. Some at that meeting were absolutely convinced that the church could not survive another Sunday without a new piano. Others were equally persuaded that the present one, which they pointed out several times was bought as a memorial, worked just fine. "I called my friend," one of the women informed the group, "who has worked on pianos all his life. I asked him, could a piano ever wear out? He told me he did not think so. It probably just needs a tune-up or something." Those on her side nodded in agreement while those desperately desiring a new one got angrier.
A choir member stood up and said, "The piano we have right now was not made to be played in church." "It worked just fine all these years," someone shouted in opposition. Back and forth the two sides went for what seemed like an eternity. As the meeting dragged on there was an edge in people's voices. Tempers were flaring. It was obvious that just about everyone was irritated with the whole situation. Before anyone realized it the meeting had turned ugly.
It was at this turning point that Frances stood up. She had not said a word throughout the entire debate. Frances was an older woman who never said a negative word about anyone, which was why she was loved and respected in the church. "I've heard just about enough of this," Frances said as she might break up a fight between her grandchildren. "I hate to see this happening here at our church. We are the church! We need to set an example for others," she said. "No one will want to come to our church if our members are fighting like this."
There was silence. Her words hit home like a ton of bricks. After a few minutes of awkward silence Ralph, the chairperson, thanked Frances for her words. The unity of the church was important. "If all we do is fight," he reiterated, "no one will come." No one knew what to say, so after several more minutes of silence Ralph asked the pastor to dismiss the meeting with a prayer, seeking God's guidance in this manner. A date was set for another meeting the following week. Before people left for home there were clear signs of reconciliation as persons shook hands and some even hugged. Everyone realized that things had gotten out of hand. They had Frances to thank for her courage in reminding them that they were the church.
During the next several days persons on both sides of the disagreement phoned Frances to thank her for her words of wisdom. "I always have the best interest of the church in mind," she replied. The next week at the meeting a compromise of sorts was reached in a spirit of love. Actually it was Frances' idea that everyone quickly adopted. It was agreed that a new piano would be bought and that everyone on the committee would sell frozen pizzas and sandwiches at their jobs and around the community to raise money. The fund raiser would last several months before enough money would be raised to purchase a new piano.
A choir member stood up and said, "The piano we have right now was not made to be played in church." "It worked just fine all these years," someone shouted in opposition. Back and forth the two sides went for what seemed like an eternity. As the meeting dragged on there was an edge in people's voices. Tempers were flaring. It was obvious that just about everyone was irritated with the whole situation. Before anyone realized it the meeting had turned ugly.
It was at this turning point that Frances stood up. She had not said a word throughout the entire debate. Frances was an older woman who never said a negative word about anyone, which was why she was loved and respected in the church. "I've heard just about enough of this," Frances said as she might break up a fight between her grandchildren. "I hate to see this happening here at our church. We are the church! We need to set an example for others," she said. "No one will want to come to our church if our members are fighting like this."
There was silence. Her words hit home like a ton of bricks. After a few minutes of awkward silence Ralph, the chairperson, thanked Frances for her words. The unity of the church was important. "If all we do is fight," he reiterated, "no one will come." No one knew what to say, so after several more minutes of silence Ralph asked the pastor to dismiss the meeting with a prayer, seeking God's guidance in this manner. A date was set for another meeting the following week. Before people left for home there were clear signs of reconciliation as persons shook hands and some even hugged. Everyone realized that things had gotten out of hand. They had Frances to thank for her courage in reminding them that they were the church.
During the next several days persons on both sides of the disagreement phoned Frances to thank her for her words of wisdom. "I always have the best interest of the church in mind," she replied. The next week at the meeting a compromise of sorts was reached in a spirit of love. Actually it was Frances' idea that everyone quickly adopted. It was agreed that a new piano would be bought and that everyone on the committee would sell frozen pizzas and sandwiches at their jobs and around the community to raise money. The fund raiser would last several months before enough money would be raised to purchase a new piano.
