YOUR VACANT PULPIT

A church was in need of a pastor. One of the deacons was interested in knowing just what kind of a minister they desired. He wrote the following letter, as if he had received it from an applicant, and read it to the pulpit committee. It read as follows:

“Gentlemen:
Understanding that your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications that I think you would appreciate. I have been blessed to preach with power and have had some success as a writer. Some say that I am good at organizing. I have been leader in most places I have gone.
Some folks, however, have some things against me. I have some things against myself. I am over 50. I have never preached in one place for more than three years at a time. In some places I have had to leave town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit I have been in jail three or four times. My health isn’t good. I have to work at my trade to make ends meet. All my churches have been small, although located in large cities.
I haven’t gotten along too well with the ministerial associations in the different churches where I have pastored. In fact, some of them have threatened me, taken me to court, and even attacked me physically.
I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you, even if I have to work to help with my support.”

The deacon, upon reading the letter, asked the committee if they were interested in the applicant. They replied he would never do for their church. They said they were not interested in an unhealthy, contentious, trouble-making, absent-minded jailbird, and that they were insulted that his application had ever been submitted. When they inquired of the deacon the name of the applicant, he replied, “The Apostle Paul”.