On A Stump?

Shortly after arriving in my first full-time pastorate following seminary I went to a local barber shop for a haircut.  The barber, of course, had not seen me before and wanted to know if I were new to the area.  I introduced myself as the new pastor at the nearby church—he attended a nearby church of a different denomination—so each time I went for a haircut our conversations about church and spiritual matters would continue.

Early in our relationship—while cutting my hair—he said, “Don’t compromise with those people.  You’d be better off out in the woods preaching on a stump.”  At that point so early in my ministry there I got the distinct impression that he knew more about the church than I did. 

Sure enough, within a few months I wished that I was preaching from a stump somewhere.  Some folks can make a pastor want to quit; others, however, are a joy and blessing to serve.  It makes a world of difference in the life of a young pastor.