Talking To My Church Poem by Randy McClave

At the church that I attended today
Unto the congregation my Pastor did say,
If someone ever leaves our church to go to another church
Our responsibility is to do the following from his research.
First and most importantly of all is to love them
Let them know how they are a true gem,
Champion them also as well
Give them thanks wherever they might dwell.
Thank them also for the times that we have had
And how they made you and the congregation glad,
And how you will always cherish your time together
You indeed will always be seen and known as their sister or brother.
Honor them and be their best cheerleader
Tell them how they were as sturdy as oak and cedar,
And then at their last stand
Smile and be happy and shake their hand.

The Pastor also told the church this from his heart
If you ever run into them at Target, Krogers or Walmart,
Of if you run into them anywhere else, don't treat them like a leper
See and treat them as a Shepherd.
Don't look at them like they walked away from their religion
Don't let that be your single thought or your final decision,
Be kind, and say 'hello' because in the end we're building the kingdom
And not castle's for the few and the some.
The only type of group that will always treat people indifferent
Are those who are unhappy and vengeful and always vociferant,
The ones who throws out hate and rumors and insults
Those group are called, 'cults.'
And then as if he was taking inspiration and directions from St. Paul
He spoke to the congregation of his church, one and all,
And like Paul, he wrote this to them all in a letter
'Church, do better! Love better! Be better! '

Randy L. McClave