(pastor appreciation month)

BUTCH: Sally, why do we have a foolish preacher?

SALLY: Butch, that is not nice. We have a great preacher.

BUTCH: Well, I know our preacher is good but it is not me saying it.

SALLY: I thought I heard the words coming out of your mouth. Hey, boys and girls, didn't you hear Butch say that our preacher was foolish? (wait for response)

BUTCH: I know the words came out of my mouth but it still wasn't me saying it.

SALLY: Now you are really confusing me. The words came out of your mouth but you didn't say them?

BUTCH: Now you are getting the point.

SALLY: I don't know about that. I still confused but you better explain yourself so these boys and girls will understand you and the preacher want be mad at you.

BUTCH: Well, I was doing my Bible study and I came across this verse about a preacher. It says, "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."

SALLY: Are you saying that our preacher is foolish? I don't think that is what it means.

BUTCH: You mean there is a difference between a foolish preacher and a foolish message being preached?

SALLY: That is exactly what I am saying. There is a great difference between a foolish preacher, even if they are kind of funny, and a message that is foolish.

BUTCH: Well, I was wondering about that. I know sometimes our pastor is a little off center, but I never really thought of him as foolish. Silly at times. But never foolish. Crazy at times but never foolish.

SALLY: I think you are getting the point. Our pastor works real hard to do all that he does but he can never think too highly of his preaching. God calls all preaching, foolishness.

BUTCH: What you are saying is that a silly, crazy, a little off center peacher can not take his own preaching too seriously?

SALLY: That is exactly what I am saying. God does the growth part, not us. We plant, water, and hoe, but God gives the increase. God uses the foolishness of preaching to bring about the wonderfull gift of salvation.

BUTCH: You mean it is God who saves and not the preacher.

SALLY: And we have a great preacher who we really appreciate. One that I know does not take himself too seriously, because he knows it is God who does the work of salvation, but it is us who must remain faithful.

BUTCH: That's neat. Sorry about that earlier statement pastor, I just didn't understand. I guess that is the reason God sent you here was to help use. Thanks pastor. Bye everyone.