‘Presbymethobapticostal’

‘Presbymethobapticostal’

‘AWord from the Pastor’ By Clayton Adams

Are you a presbymethobapticostal? It stands for Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal. It describes folks who have experienced faith from different denominations.

One day, I was driving on Missouri Street in West Memphis, and slowed down for another car to turn right into a school. The school is operated by wonderful people who express their faith in Christ by providing a great education to many students in the area. Interesting to me was the bumper sticker on the car, expressing membership of the owner to another church of a different denomination. Presbymethobapticostal was born.

Church is often like walking up to a food bar at a restaurant. Take what you like and circle the bar until something new and different is served. If you don't like one restaurant there are hundreds to choose from. If you don't like one churches menu of service times and activities there are plenty other churches to choose from.

I like an early service time, I like Sunday School (if it's interactive). I would like coffee served and available for all services (sorry if this seems inappropriate). Currently, my church doesn't offer this but there is hope.

Sometimes I just like singing hymns and sometimes I like fast songs that get my blood pressure up, heart rate up, breathing rate goes up and my anxiety goes down. There is something about praising and worshiping God when all around me discourage this. God is worthy to be praised no matter how I feel.

I use to wear a suit and tie to church but now because a friend bought me nice boots, I wear them and sometimes jeans to church on Sundays. I am a bit awkward preaching dressed like this, but I still will wear a tie for funerals and weddings. I don't want to have a tie on when you come to my visitation! I guess I want a casual and informal church – come as you are – but dress up sometimes just out of respect for years gone by.

I sometimes like to tell funny stories and jokes to “warm” the congregation up but then some Sundays, the funniest thing I can do is let them look at me. If that doesn't make them smile, my jokes sure won’t warm them up. My adult children say I have a dry sense of humor. For instance, what does it take to make a town in Arkansas? A Baptist church and a Walmart! What does it take to make a town in Wisconsin? A Catholic church and a bar. (Well, I think its funny – I am from Wisconsin but now I'm “from” Arkansas).

You are safe in the front row ‘cause I don't spit too much and I don't yell and scream unless it's to emphasize a point. Sometimes people laugh at me when I get animated while preaching and my daughter takes videos on her phone to post them somewhere.

I don't have Facebook, so I get my information from real people from time to time. No, it's not gossip – it's sharing of information or research for Heaven’s sake!

I like St. Michael’s for the Italian food and spaghetti suppers! I've attended several masses with my old friend who left this earth only a few years ago. In Wisconsin, the Catholics have the best church picnics! Ever have chicken booyah?

I like the Pentecostals cause they never seem to meet with out eating! Sometimes they are a very lively bunch at church, sometimes.

I like the Church of Christ cause nobody gets bent out of shape over the loudness of music. I like the Baptists cause they all work together in groups or committees. Stuff gets done!

I like the Methodists cause there is a method to everything they do. No one ever says, “We've never done it that way before!”

I like the Church of God in Christ cause they have the best hats and colorful suits! I have a gold colored jacket but I get laughed at when I wear it. I am a little on the short side, a little on the fat side but I am good looking in my gold colored jacket!

I don't like the Sunday morning hour of 11am cause it's the most segregated hour of the week. Jesus doesn't like this hour for the same reason. When He started this church of His, I am pretty sure He didn't intend for His Church to be so divided and fractured.

Jesus kept it pretty simple, love God, love your neighbor as you love yourself. Worship God, be good to others, give what you have to others (time, talent, treasure, touch and tenderness) ask God to forgive you of your sins and forgive others of their sins against you. Partake in communion because this brings what He did for us on the Cross, into our heart and mind. Be baptized, because this is an outward sign of what Christ has done inside your heart and mind. Tell others what God has done for you and go to church more than you don't go to church. Simple, isn't it?

By the way, I am trying to work in Catholic and a few other Christian denominations into presbymethobapticostal but am not sure where to insert the abbreviations. Perhaps someone can Text the Times with a suggestion?

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God. You can e- mail him at cpalaa@ yahoo. com, or find Earle First Assembly on Facebook.