Sermon Central
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The Ever Popular Tater Family
Contributed by James Lowe on Feb 28, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: A fun message that pulls no punches
The Ever Popular Tater Family
We are so thankful for all our families in the church. Each family is of vital importance to the church body.
Now, in reference to our own personal families, most of us have family members that we are especially proud of.
But sadly to say, most of us also have family members that we’re not particularly fond of.
We won’t even claim kin to them! We’ll say we’ve never heard of them.
The church family is not any different. Some church members make the church look good, and some, well, not so good.
Now, there is a family that I am thinking of that is so large they are a part of just about every church.
They are the ever popular Tater family. No doubt you already know them, and, like me, you’re not to proud of them either.
As a matter of fact, I really don’t think God is very proud of them.
Now, let’s see if we can identify some of the Tater family.
1. There’s old man Dic. You know him, Dic-tater!
He tries to run everything. He thinks nothing can get done of he isn’t in charge.
He has to tell everyone how things should be run, usually his way or no way.
Sometimes he holds the Pastor’s position. Sometimes he holds the deacon’s position, and sometimes he is just a layman.
God cannot bless a church where Mr. Dic-tater is in charge.
The church belongs to God. Jesus is the head of the church. “Upon this rock I will build MY church…….”
The Pastor is the shepherd and spiritual leader of the church. He is responsible for the spirituality of the local church. He is not a dictator, but a leader, and he gains respect through his leadership, not demands it.
The deacons are his spiritual advisors, uplifting, encouraging and supporting their pastor, and respecting him as the Shepherd/Pastor of the flock.
No deacon should be in control of the church, but instead the Pastor and deacons should work together as a team promoting harmony, unity and love in the congregation.
The church in which Mr. Dic-tater is in charge will always have problems, whether it be a pastor, board member, or layman.
2. The second member of the Tater family is Ole Ro. Yes, Mr. Ro-tater.
He is here one day, and you think he is going to be faithful and beneficial to the church, and the next thing you know he has rotated to another church.
He isn’t there long either, and he rotates to another church.
And if you wait long enough, he will eventually rotate back to our church!
He is in the circulation ministry!
Another characteristic about ole Mr. Ro-tater is that he is always changing the way he believes.
He isn’t stable in his doctrine, but changes with the wind, rotating back and forth.
Mr. Ro-tater also rotates his church attendance. He may come to church Sunday but next Sunday is his day to go the lake, go see Aunt Sally, or do some work around the house. Eventually he will rotate around and sneak back into his pew.
I Cor. 4:2 tells us that we are required as stewards, to be found faithful.
3. The third member of this Ever Popular Tater family is Sister Agi.
Sister Agi-tater. She’s not married, because she can’t find anyone she can get along with.
She’s a trouble maker for sure! She is always stirring up trouble in the church.
If she doesn’t see any trouble brewing, she’ll start some!
She causes a lot of confusion in the church, being an active supporter of any negative thing going on.
She’s zealous when it comes to trouble, but cold-hearted when it comes to unity and harmony. James 3:16 says, “for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Now Sister Agi-Tater has a uncle named Iri. Ole Iri-tater, pronounced “Eri-tater” is always irritating something in the church.
When I think of irritate, I think of the phrase “rubbing against.”
When you try to start a new program, Ole Iri-tater begins rubbing against it.
When you want to start a new building for the growth of the church, Ole Iri-tater begins rubbing against it.
When you want to buy a bus to pick up kids for Sunday School, Ole Iri-tater starts rubbing against it.
When you have new ideas for church growth and you are all excited about, leave it up to Ole Irr-tater to rub against it.
It’s like the old gentleman who was always against everything the church did.
One day they decided the church would look nice if they bought a new chandelier for the foyer.
Sure enough this old gentleman was against it.
When asked why he opposed to purchasing this new chandelier he replied, “We don’t have anyone who can play one. Besides what we need for this church is new lights!”
