Pastor Bares his Soul

A few years ago the "Dallas Morning News" ran an article about a local pastor who was "Art Garfunkel-bald."   The pastor hated losing his hair so much that he filled in the gaps with fake turf.  He had been completely bald for 20 years and yet no one in his church knew.

Then, in the middle of a sermon, he reached up without warning and removed his hairpiece.  Worshipers gasped, cheered and then some broke out in prayer.  They could not believe what had happened.  Their pastor had bared his soul in his sermon and then bared his head.

The sermon had been deeply personal.  The pastor had spoken about vanity and the sin of pride.  He confessed that his fake hair had become a barrier with God.  When he confessed the sin of pride and removed his toupee, worshipers were so moved that the event kicked off a revival among his people.  They began to confess their own sins and get right with God.  Another newspaper called it the "toupee revival."

One member said, "Once I got over the shock that my pastor wore a toupee, it made me realize how superficial we Christians can be sometimes.  Our pastor showed us that we can't just play at church.  We can't just go through the motions of religion.  We have to get real with Jesus."  

It is easy to get caught up in so many things that are just not that important.  Pride does indeed hinder the work of the Holy Spirit.  

You are loved.

Bro Jim

P.S. In case you are wondering, this is not a personal story!