One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good Minister

One evening, a member of an official board, which had been undergoing this painful process for weeks, voice tinged with resignation and perhaps more than a little disgust, asked for the floor, reached into his briefcase and withdrew the following letter purportedly from yet another applicant. Wearily, his patience with the committee worn extremely thin, he began to read to them......

Gentlemen:

It is my understanding that your pulpit is vacant. I should like very much to apply for the position.

I have many qualifications....

I have been a preacher with much success.
I've also been successful as a writer.
Some say that I am a good organizer.
I've been a strong leader in most places I have taken up residence.

I am over 50 years of age.
I have never preached in one place for more than three years.
In some places I have had to leave when my work caused riots and disturbances.
I must also admit, right up front here, that I have been jailed 3 ~ 4 times, but not because of any Real wrongdoing.

My health, I am sorry to say, is not really very good, but I have never allowed that to stand in the way of my getting things done!

The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities.

I must also confess to you that I have not gotten along well with traditional religious leaders in those towns where I have preached.

Actually, some have threatened me repeatedly and even attacked me physically on occasion.

I am not too good at keeping records. I have even been known to forget whom I have baptized.

However, if you feel you could use me and will give me the opportunity, I will do my very best for you and for the church.

~

The board member looked up from the application he'd read and asked, "Well, what do you think? Shall we call this man?"

The good church folks and elders stared at him aghast, wide-eyed and disbelieving!

"WHAT?
Call an unhealthy, trouble-making, absent-minded, ex-jailbird? Are you crazy, man? Who is he? Who signed that application? Who has such colossal nerve?

The board member paused, eyeing each member keenly before he read the signature to them.....

"It's signed, The Apostle Paul."