Ban This Preacher

One of my favorite Bible teachers is Perry Stone. In addition to his “Manna-Fest” program, I watch shorter videos by Perry posted on YouTube. In one of the latter, he read this story from a book his grandfather had put together:

A church was in need of a pastor. One of the elders was interested in knowing what kind of minister they desired. He therefore wrote a letter as if he had received it from an applicant. He read this letter before the Pulpit Committee:


“Gentlemen, understanding that your pulpit is vacant, I would like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications that I think that you would appreciate. I've been blessed to preach with power and have had some successes as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader in most places where I've gone in the past. Some folks, however, have some things against me. I'm over 50 years of age. I've never preached in one place for more than three years at a time. In some places I have left towns after my work caused riots and disturbances, and I have to admit that I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still get a good deal done. I had to work at my trade to help pay my way occasionally. The churches I've preached and have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not gotten a well-too well with the religious leaders in different towns where I've preached. In fact, some of them have threatened me, taking me to court and even attacked me physically. I'm not too good at keeping records. I've been known to forget who I’ve baptized. However, if you can use me, I'll do my best for you, even if I have to work at my support.”


The elder asked the committee if they were interested in the applicant. They replied that he would never do for their church. They were not interested in any “unhealthy, contentious, troublemaking, absent-minded, ex-jailbird.” In fact, they felt insulted that this applicant had even been presented to them. The committee asked the applicant's name.


The elder looked them in the eyes and said, “The Apostle Paul.”


If we judge people by their past, by the wrongs they did before their conversion, we'd never put them in the pulpit. But here's a guy who was an ex-jailbird, ex-Pharisee, ex-murderer who converted to the Lord Jesus Christ, having consented to the death of Stephen, and wrote 14 books in the New Testament if you count the book of Hebrews. So you better be careful judging where people have been to determine where they should be going.


“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” - Matthew 7:1-2


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