Today, at a newspaper convention in North Carolina, I met a fellow clergy member. ... Purely by accident? ... I think not. ;-)
Frankly, I'm amazed at how often I run into a fellow sister or brother of faith when I am acting in my capacity as a newspaper professional. I think that there are more people of faith out there than we think, and we tend to close ourselves off from seeking them out for fear of looking silly.
Today, fellow minister Melanie Twine, one half of a spousal ministry team, found herself at my company's vendor booth at the trade show, and we started out talking newspapers. But she eventually wound around to telling me that is in the process of writing a couple of books.
How did we get there, you might ask? ... Well, when you've attended as many conventions as I have, you look for any kind of interesting conversation that will help you get through just a few minutes of the endless trade show hours.
I asked Melanie what genre of books she writes, and she replied, "Personal stories. My story. ... You know, faith and spiritual stuff."
Bingo! ... Now you're talking my language!
I introduced myself, and explained that I am a pastoral intern on assignment in the ELCA, and the conversation took off from there. But the one ministry story that she told that will stick with me is this one:
In addition to speaking and preaching, Melanie and her husband perform Christian-influenced hip hop music. And one night they were asked to perform as part of a line-up during an open mic night at a local secular club.
Surprised that they would receive such an invitation, Melanie asked the promoter if they knew what kind of hip hop it was that they did. The promoter said yes, and Melanie was like, "Then, we're all in!"
Well, after watching a full lineup of local rappers who ... let's just say weren't Christian-based rappers ... they were on. The duo brought their CD of background music to the DJ, but something went wrong. The computer wouldn't play the CD. ... And there was silence all throughout this club of people who were drunk, high and unimpressed with the break in entertainment.
The DJ hustled to find a second computer with which to play the CD, but lo and behold, that computer wouldn't play the disc either. Making matters even worse is that the stage mics quit, and a general pandemonium set in for the DJ.
So the Christian-based hip hop group had a decision to make: Cut bait and run. ... Or start testifying in a less-than-friendly environment. ... They chose the latter.
And you know what ... Melanie tells me that after she and her husband described their tough former lives, about tragic times and even prison stints, the crowd started to tune in. The general chaos of the club gave way to the Holy Spirit and the husband-wife ministry team preached to the most unlikely of audiences. ... All because of some technical difficulties, including a broken mic.
And so now, Melanie tells me that one of her opening lines to fellow faith followers is: "What will you do when the mic is broken?" ... Are you going to cut bait and run from the moment? Or are you going to see this as an opportunity that God is providing you and confidently testify?
I love this story. ... I will remember this moment forever. And I will be praying for Melanie and her husband's ministry. And that is why today, I am Finding Faith in broken mics. ... Amen.
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