Pastor Obtains Spiritual Gift of Wingin it, Preaches without Notes

BABBLERS PRESS - It had been a busy week for one local pastor. A couple of members got really sick and ended up in hospital. One of the older ones actually died, necessitating a funeral. There was also a board meeting, a wedding, a counselling session and a few "social visits". By the time Saturday night rolled around the Pastor was completely exhausted.

The thought of having to prepare a sermon for the Sunday morning service was more than he could bear. It was approaching 8:00 p.m. and he still hadn't cracked a commentary or broached a sermon book. To make matters worse the hockey game was about to start, the fridge was full of cold Pepsi and the cupboard full of Chips.

"I felt like I was pulled in two directions," the pastor explained. "I knew I had to have something to say for Sunday but I needed some downtime, just me and the couch and the TV remote." Just then the Pastor heard what he now describes as "the still small voice of God." 

"Why don't you just wing it?" the voice reportedly said. The Pastor knew right away it was the voice of God because it was exactly what he wanted to hear. He had considered wingin it before but could never muster the courage. However, this time was different. 

He stood behind the sacred desk on Sunday morning and preached without a single note in front of him, using the Saturday night hockey game as an extended illustration. The Pastor said he also felt led to become more animated and loud in his presentation of the gospel but insists his onstage antics were not an attempt to mask his lack of preparation. 

"What can I say, I have a gift, a spiritual gift" said the Pastor. Several local parishioners said they could feel "a different anointing" during the pastor's message. 

"I can't remember a thing he said about God or the Bible but I feel more enlightened sportswise," one local member admitted. "And he preached with a lot of energy and passion. Isn't that what really matters?"