I’d like you to meet Cooper! He’s my 5 year-old son. Last Sunday on the way to church, Cooper revealed to me something that I didn’t know about him. He looked up at me with all seriousness and said, “Dad, I’m sorry, but I just don’t like church.”
I was floored, shocked, and had I not been a preacher, I would have been speechless. So I kindly and calmly asked him, “Son, what is it about church that you just don’t like?” He quickly fired back, “The preaching, Dad, it’s just too long.” At that point I calmly pulled the car over to the side of the road, opened his door and told the little fella, “Get out.” Just kidding.
But honestly, what was I to say to my 5 year-old, my own flesh and blood? He’d just told me that he doesn’t like church and my preaching stinks! I smiled at Cooper. His big blue eyes told me that he was waiting for some kind of response to his statement. I finally leaned over and told him the truth. “Son,” I said, “sometimes I don’t like church either.” He looked a little surprised. “Really, Dad?” I said, “Yep.” And then at that point I did my best to explain to a 5 year-old boy that God still loves him very much and that I still loved him very much. I also told him that as he grows bigger, church and preaching won’t be so boring, and he might actually like it. I’m not real sure he believed that last part.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
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That is one of the cutest stories I have ever heard of. But I can imagine you pulling the car and letting him walk
Maybe one day Cooper will surprise his dad and become a minisiter himself!!
Jen,
Thanks for the comment. Making him “get out” only briefly crossed my mind. ha
I’ll remind him of this story one day too.
Don’t feel bad. My son, along with another little boy, slept through my entire sermon a few Sundays ago. He continued sleeping for the next hour… of course, my son is only 3 months old, but still I blamed it on my sermon! hahaha
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks Gilbert … you made me feel alot better there
I think parents ought to get a tape or cd of our sermons and when the kids can’t sleep, play the sermon. I’m just afraid the parents would use it for their own insomnia. ha ha
I guess you can look at the bright side: he’s not afraid to give his opinion. You need to remind him of this story when he’s a teenager!When I was in high school, I felt like my Dad’s sermons really stepped on my toes! He used to tell me that if he ever saw me acting up, he would call me down from the pulpit. Part of me really wasn’t sure if he would or not, so I didn’t chance it. “Preacher’s kids” seem to have a different outlook on church since sometimes they live it at home.
Deb,
Thanks for the thought. What you said was true. I think it’s pretty hard to be a preachers kid. There is probably more pressure put on them than they deserve. I’m not sure I’d ever call down my kids from the pulpit though. That’s not to say I haven’t wanted to
Thanks for the comment!
Trey
Hey Trey,
I’m actually the Involvement Minister for a church in Bowling Green, KY. I’m not the pulpit guy. I preach about once a month, but I’m considering a transition into the pulpit somewhere.
Sorry I can’t send the picture of Cooper, when I e-mailed the “blog” to a few friends. Vicki L
I share Copper’s sentiment, except I don’t think they’re too long, just too boring. I could listen to an interesting person for a long time, but a boring speaker – even 2 minutes is too long.
Tim … I honestly feel your pain. I’ve always said that I like good preaching and their is a difference between preaching and good preaching. I just wish I could say my preaching was always in the “good preaching” group.
Thanks for stopping by.