Combatting Church Gossip

chseeads · #1 06-09-2007, 12:48 PM

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home...and left it there all night!!!

You gotta love Frank!

Barb · #2 06-09-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chseeads

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home...and left it there all night!!!

You gotta love Frank!

Ya gotta love Frank is right!!

And there you have it...the sin of assumption....

We may think we know, when if truth be told, we do not.

We may think we have all the facts, when if pressed for details, we find we do not.

Appearances can be quite deceiving...the way it appears to be may not be what it is at all...need we ask 'Mildred'?!

Timmy · #3 06-09-2007, 01:21 PM

I was sitting at my desk at the church office, doing the bookkeeping, and talking with a friend sitting on the other side. Let's call her "Mildred".

Somehow the topic of gossip came up, and Mildred said, "yeah, it can be a real problem for some people. [slight pause] Do you have a problem with gossip?"

In a flash of inspiration, I lowered my voice, leaned forward, and said "No, but do you know who does?" She took that bait. She leaned forward, eyes wide open, and said, "No, who?"

Felicity · #4 06-09-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chseeads

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home...and left it there all night!!!

You gotta love Frank!

Hey Seth! This is great! Definitely a *copy and paste*.

When I read it I couldn't help but think how that it sounds exactly like something Maple Leaf would write -- or post.

MissBrattified · #5 06-09-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

I was sitting at my desk at the church office, doing the bookkeeping, and talking with a friend sitting on the other side. Let's call her "Mildred".

Somehow the topic of gossip came up, and Mildred said, "yeah, it can be a real problem for some people. [slight pause] Do you have a problem with gossip?"

In a flash of inspiration, I lowered my voice, leaned forward, and said "No, but do you know who does?" She took that bait. She leaned forward, eyes wide open, and said, "No, who?"

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barb · #6 06-09-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

I was sitting at my desk at the church office, doing the bookkeeping, and talking with a friend sitting on the other side. Let's call her "Mildred".

Somehow the topic of gossip came up, and Mildred said, "yeah, it can be a real problem for some people. [slight pause] Do you have a problem with gossip?"

In a flash of inspiration, I lowered my voice, leaned forward, and said "No, but do you know who does?" She took that bait. She leaned forward, eyes wide open, and said, "No, who?"

BrotherEastman · #7 06-09-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chseeads

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home...and left it there all night!!!

You gotta love Frank!

This is good!

How about this one:

There were three ministers of different faiths who grew up together and were very good friends, who lived in a very small town. One minister was a Lutheran, the other a Baptist, the other an Apostolic. They were camping and decided to "open up" about things concerning themselves and a weakness that they had. The Lutheran said that he had a problem with drinking an excessive amount of the sacrement wine. The other two ministers pondered on that for a moment, then the Baptist stated that he had a problem with taking extra money from the church account. The Apostolic preacher just set there, for what seemed to be twenty or so minutes, swaying back and forth thinking intently on what he should share with the others. Finally, the baptist preacher spoke up and said, "well, we've been waiting, what confession do you have?"To which, the Apostolic preacher said " Well, I have this little problem with gossip, and I can't wait to get back home and share this interesting news"

BrotherEastman · #8 06-11-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

This is good!

How about this one:

There were three ministers of different faiths who grew up together and were very good friends, who lived in a very small town. One minister was a Lutheran, the other a Baptist, the other an Apostolic. They were camping and decided to "open up" about things concerning themselves and a weakness that they had. The Lutheran said that he had a problem with drinking an excessive amount of the sacrement wine. The other two ministers pondered on that for a moment, then the Baptist stated that he had a problem with taking extra money from the church account. The Apostolic preacher just set there, for what seemed to be twenty or so minutes, swaying back and forth thinking intently on what he should share with the others. Finally, the baptist preacher spoke up and said, "well, we've been waiting, what confession do you have?"To which, the Apostolic preacher said " Well, I have this little problem with gossip, and I can't wait to get back home and share this interesting news"

*bump* Come on guys, I spent time typing this out, at least comment on it.