A group of Peachtree City ministers

were having breakfast at Shadow's Restaurant Wednesday morning last week,

as is our custom, and discussing the state of the nation. We were offering

up the common laments of things not being as they used to be or not being

as they should. One of the group, a prominent Baptist minister in the

community, said jokingly, "Well, the whole world would be a lot better

off if everybody was just like us, don't you think?"

We laughed at the apparent

absurdity of the statement but, then, I mused, "That's really not

such a bad idea."

No, wait! I'm serious. I realize

that there are a few bad ministers, just like there are a few bad cops

and a smattering of corrupt bankers, but, in the main, pastors are a pretty

good bunch of folks.

What if everyone was just like,

for example, my pastor friend from the Baptist church? What would the

nation be like? It would be radically different, that much I'm certain.

If everyone was like the Baptist

minister (who is, I'm convinced, pretty typical of the area pastors),

here are a few ways that the nation would be better off:

Everyone would be in church

nearly every Sunday.

There would be no shortage

of money in the church because every one would tithe.

There would be no adultery.

There would be no child molestation.

Banks would never be robbed.

People would not drive off

without paying for the gas.

All waitresses would receive

good tips.

Most prisons could be closed

because almost no crimes would be committed.

Abortion would not exist.

Cops would keep their jobs

because most pastors drive too fast.

Cops would no longer be killed

at traffic stops.

There would be no murder.

War would not exist.

Everyone would be treated

with kindness. Even deacons.

Gossip and backbiting would

be greatly reduced. Maybe even eliminated.

Everyone would pray and study

the Bible. A lot.

Rapes would no longer occur.

All children would have fathers

in the home.

All wives would be loved.

All congregations would have

a pastor who prayed for them and loved them.

All hurting people would have

a sympathetic shoulder and a listening ear to depend upon.

No one would carry a gun for

personal protection. No one would need to.

Everyone would be the recipient

of a warm handshake and a friendly smile.

Well, I could go on and on,

but you get the idea. If everyone were like my Baptist friend, how wonderfully

different the world would be. In fact, if everyone in the world were just

like your priest or pastor, the list would probably look pretty much like

the list above.

The real question might be

this: If everyone was just like you, what would the world look like? Would

it be better off than it is now? Or would it be in the same sorry shape

or even worse?

It's worth pondering, don't

you think?

[Father David Epps is rector

of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church. He may be contacted at

[email protected] or at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com.]

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