My uncle once spent days looking for his new hat.
Finally, he decided that he’d go to church on Sunday and sit at the back. During the service he would sneak out and grab a hat from the rack at the front door.
On Sunday, he went to church and sat at the back.
The sermon was about the 10 commandments. He sat through the whole sermon and instead of sneaking out he waited until the sermon was over and went to talk to the minister.
“Father, I came here today to steal a hat to replace the one I lost. But after hearing your sermon on the 10 Commandments, I changed my mind.”
The minister said, “Bless you my son. Was it when I started to preach ‘Thou shall not steal,’ that changed your heart?”
My uncle responded, “No, it was the one on adultery. When you started to preach on that, I remembered where I left my hat.”
Down in the south, there are many churches known as “answer back” churches.
When the preacher says something, the congregation naturally replies.
One Sunday, a preacher was speaking on what it would take for the church to become better.
He said, “If this church is to become better, it must take up it’s bed, and walk.”
The congregation said, “Let it walk, Preacher, let it walk.”
Encouraged by their response, he went further, “If this church is going to become better, it will have to throw aside it’s hindrances and run!”
The congregation replied, “Let it run, preacher, let it run!”
Now really into his message, he spoke stronger.
“If this church really wants to become great, it will have to take up it’s wings and fly!”
“Let it fly, Preacher, let it fly!” the congregation shouts.
The Preacher gets louder, “If this church is going to fly, it will cost money!”
The congregation replied, “Let it walk, Preacher, let it walk.”
