The Critic

As a little boy, I discovered ministers that had a
sense of humor.  They always were always attractive
to me.  The ability to laugh at life and themselves conveyed
a spirit that I always enjoyed being around!  

Later in life I have learned the humor was a lift
to bring joy to sadness and also convey truth
in a very gentle way.

Years ago an evangelist named A. R. Vander Ploeg
came to our church.  He had great energy and
enjoyed a good laugh.  At his back table was a
little book poems by his late father Charles.  It
has always been one of my favorite possessions.

'To those involved in working with people in church
ministry, enjoy "The Critic":

He criticized the preacher and criticized his preaching,
He criticized the audience and souls he would be reaching,
He criticized the sermon whether it was short or long,
He couldn't hear one to suit him, there was always something
wrong!

He didn't like some sermons because they were too dramatic,
He didn't like some other because they were too erratic,
He didn't like exhortation because there was nothing deep,
He didn't like Bible study so he'd quickly go to sleep.

He never could agree with what the preacher had to say,
He couldn't agree with his methods, he had a better way,
He always had the answers when some matters would come up,
And if he couldn't have his way it was a bitter cup!

He didn't like the singing because they were all out of time,
So then he'd sing real loud because he tho't he sang sublime,
Sometimes they'd sing too fast for him, sometimes they'd
sing to slow,
Sometimes they'd sing too loud for him, sometimes they'd
sing too low!

He'd criticize the choir and the numbers that they sing,
It all seemed to bore him so, his head quite low he'd hang,
He criticized the choir leader, they way he led the choir,
He said there was nothing in it all, one's soul to inspire.

He criticized the Sunday School, he criticized the lesson,
He said, 'that was no place to go for one to get a blessing',
He criticized the teachers, he criticized the staff,
He said that they were all unlearned and didn't know the half.

He criticized the offering and said, 'always money,'
They never seem to get enough, it's very, very funny,
He didn't believe in paying tithes, he said, 'That is the law,'
He criticized and criticized, everything he saw!

One day this critic was real sick, so now what does he do?
Does he say, 'I've no faith in them, with all them I'm thru?'
Oh no he doesn't, oh no he doesn't, on their faith he relies.
He calls the preacher, 'Come real quick, before this critic dies.'

Someday we too may have a need and then will be surprised,
How much we need the very ones that we have criticized.
Let's take the beam out of our eyes and love one another,
And then the mote won't seem so big, in the eyes of our brother!

Charles wrote that poem on March 9, 1964.  It was six months
before he died.  He words still speak today!  A touch of humor
to give a taste of truth.