I take it serious but ... not too serious.
Like the time I oversaw Bruce Day's ordination to the ministry at the Jefferson Street Baptist Chapel in the inner city of Louisville where I was inexpiably the Pastor.
It's a beautiful service where the highlight is the "laying on of hands" of the person kneeling in the floor accepting the mantle of Christ.
In front of the Alter Bruce kneels ... hands folded in prayer ... head bowed in Holy anticipation ... a host of ordained Clergy ready to lay hands on his head and pray with him.
As Pastor of the Congregation I go first.
Leaving the Pulpit I solemnly make my way to stand in front of Bruce with my back to the 200 witnesses in the congregation.
Slowly I place my hands on his bowed head.
Softly playing on the piano is Breathe On Me.
Bruce's wife Jaki's eyes are moist as she stands to the side.
Moving my lips close to his ear, I whisper ... "Your pants are unzipped."
He doesn't move.
Standing ... I give way to the next minister who lays her hands on Bruce and solemnly prays in his ear, confirming the Presence of the Lord for the rest of his life.
"I was afraid to open my eyes after that," he explains after the service before calling me an SOB and then we both laugh heartedly.
Thirty years later it still makes me laugh.
Today Bruce and Jaki have a rich life, tremendous ministry and numerous blessings.
He recently had stints placed in his heart because a lifetime of ministry is stressful stuff and he almost had a heart attack.
Bruce doesn't deserve that.
Especially after I gave him his first one.
