Decision Making

The pastor of a church decides that God is calling the church to a new vision of what it is to be and do. So at the elders meeting, he presents the new vision with as much energy, conviction and passion as he can muster. When he had finished and sat down, the senior elder called for a vote. All 12 elders voted against the new vision, with only the clergyman voting for it.

"Well, pastor, it looks like you will have to think again," says the senior elder. "Would you like to close the meeting in prayer?"

So the priest stands up, raises his hand to heaven, and prays, "LOOOOOOORD! ...will you not show these people that this is not MY vision but it is YOUR vision!"

At that moment, the clouds darken, the thunder rolls, and a streak of lightning bursts through the window and strikes in two the table at which they are sitting, throwing the pastor and all the elders to the ground.

After a moment's silence, as they all get up and dust themselves off, the senior elder speaks again.

"Well, that's twelve votes to two then."