Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had had bat-infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said the Baptist preacher, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.”

“I tried trapping them alive,” said the Methodist preacher. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them, but they beat me back to the church.”

“I haven’t had any more problems,” said the Lutheran preacher.

“What did you do?” asked the others, amazed.

“I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.”

Although we smile as we read, we know why that story is so funny. I have seen countless times when a new face appeared at our church and the person immediately wanted to become a member and be baptized. People think that some quick initiation will make them an insider and all their problems go away. When the problems are still there next Sunday, they give up and never come back. They never understood that it was themselves that was supposed to change.

If you’re reading this, I’m glad that you understand. We need to be baptized, but for the right reason. What would you say is the right reason?

Tags: baptism, faithfulness, humor