Fable illustrates issues of faith
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
JOE MILLER JR.

Once upon a time, there was congregation that started in a high school gymnasium. As they grew in size, they came to realize that they needed their own church building. After many meetings, fund raisings, heated discussions, plans and re-plans, they agreed upon and built a magnificent structure that was the envy of every other church in town.

It was state of the art with all of the latest electronic technology, a huge pipe organ, beautiful mahogany pews and woodwork, and a marblefloored chancel area. It was also specially designed for them. Oh, I forgot to mention… they were all giraffes. The doors were extra tall, the lights were very high in the ceiling, and the pulpit was enormous.

They had a grand opening worship service, and giraffes from all over the county came to participate. The organist was playing a long and elegant prelude as the congregants gathered. The preacher, in his new, elegant robes, was outside the foyer at the front door welcoming the guests to the service. Everything was in order.

Just as he was about to go into the building, the pastor noticed an elephant walking on the sidewalk in front of the church. He had met this elephant before at one of the PTC meetings at school, and he ran down the sidewalk to the elephant and invited him to the service.

"I don't know about that Pastor; you see, I am quite different from you giraffes. You are all so beautifully colored, tall, and elegant, and I am big, cumbersome, and a plain gray color. If anyone says anything mean, it will hurt my feelings."

"Nonsense," said the pastor, "God does not discriminate and neither do we. We would be proud to have you. I have been preaching for a long time about accepting those who are different from us. Please join us."

So the pastor and the elephant headed for the front door to the foyer, only to find that the elephant was too wide to enter the door. Not to be deterred, the pastor ushered the elephant through a service door that was located at the side of the church building, and they entered the sanctuary.

There were a few audible gasps from the congregation, but most of the giraffes nodded in a friendly manner, and most of them smiled at the elephant. The pastor hurried toward the pulpit after depositing his guest at one of the pews. The giraffes sitting in the pew moved over politely to let the elephant in because it was impossible for him to squeeze by them.

Just as the pastor entered the pulpit, the elephant sat down. Unfortunately, the elegant mahogany pew was not built to withstand the elephant's weight, and it gave way with a crunch sending the elephant and all of the giraffes to the floor, their long necks flailing the air.

The elephant responded by jumping back to his feet, hitting the pews in front of him, and breaking up 3 more rows of pews and dumping their occupants. The organist stopped abruptly, and all of the congregation turned and stared at the elephant. The elephant panicked, running for the front door, breaking several more pieces of furniture in the foyer, and ripping out the narrow front door way.

The pastor ran outside to talk to his guest. "Mr. Elephant, we really do want you to come to our church. Perhaps, you should visit Twist and Shout gymnastics down the street. They have a wonderful aerobics program, and if you were to slim down and lose some weight, our church could accommodate you better."

"Pastor, I really do appreciate your hospitality and concern… but do you really think that I could change that much to be able to enter your church? Perhaps your church should change to be able to accommodate me. I think my good friend the hippopotamus would also have some difficulty being a part of your church." Those who have ears to hear; let them hear. Email me at newtonumc@valornet. com with your thoughts.

Joe Miller Jr. is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Newton.