ASSUMING THE WORST

A new pastor decided to visit the children's Sunday school. The
teacher introduced him and said, "Pastor, this morning we're
studying Joshua."

"That's wonderful," said the new pastor, "Let's see what you're
learning. Who tore down the walls of Jericho?"

Little Johnny shyly raised hand and offered, "Pastor, I didn't do
it."

Taken aback the pastor asked, "Come on, now, who tore down the
walls of Jericho?"

The teacher, interrupting, said, "Pastor, little Johnny's a good
boy. If he says he didn't do it, I believe he didn't do it."

Flustered, the pastor went to the Sunday school director and
related the story to him. The director, looking worried,
explained, "Well, sir, we've had some problems with Johnny
before. Let me talk to him and see what we can do."

Really bothered now by the answers of the teacher and the
director, the new pastor approached the deacons and related the
whole story, including the responses of the teacher and the
director. A white-haired gentleman thoughtfully stroked his chin
and said, "Well, Pastor, I move we just take the money from the
general fund to pay for the walls and leave it at that."

CITATION: Cregg Puckett, Florence, Mississippi
KEYWORDS: Blame; Children; Communication; Confusion; Conscience;
Guilt; Leadership; Leadership of the Church; Sunday school
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 6:1-20