These opportunities don't happen often. But when they do, the Christian journalist needs to be ready to seize them.
A few weeks ago I was in a joint meeting with a fire department, a village board and a township board to discuss the fire department's budget. You could feel the tension in the air.
The meeting was conducted in a strained sort of civility, and soon the budget was approved by the three entities.
Then the fire department board president took the floor. Often, after a tense meeting with restrained emotions, the last person to take the floor will use it to lambast some entity or person in the room. So when the president said, "I'd like to say something," I got ready to take copious notes.
I never expected what came out of his mouth next...
"I was in church Sunday, and some of you were there, too," he said, "and they read these words, 'If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.'
"Those words changed what I was going to say tonight. Instead I'll say that I think we can all work together better in the coming year."
To have someone quoting the Bible in a public meeting, and then demonstrating how the scripture passage changed him, is an amazing thing to witness.
Yes, I included the quote in my story. Christian journalists have to seize these opportunities when they come. No, the newspaper did not edit it out.
I love this job.
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