Humor at Church: The Holy Ghost

  I was raised Pentecostal/Apostolic. For those of you who aren’t familiar, this means we are very vocal, very physical, and very emotional with our worship. It can be shocking and maybe even frightening for someone not used to what goes on at the revivals or Sunday service (or any service for that matter). We have shouting, we have tears, and we have flailing. There’s always someone speaking in tongues. Having said that, I’ll share a humorous bit of my churchgoing experience with you, and maybe you’ll agree that going to church with family can be such a good thing!

   I have a little brother named Brandon. I say little. He’s a good foot taller than me, but he’s 4 years younger. When we moved from Donaldson to Malvern, Arkansas, Mom decided she wanted to try out a new church. I don’t remember what directed us to this particular little Pentecostal church, but we were going to try it, by golly! I want to say it was a Wednesday night service. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The music began, and so did the worship. There were hands lifted everywhere. Voices switching between singing along with the hymns and speaking their hearts to the Lord above. Some were tearful; others peaceful. I’d been witnessing this practically since birth, so I was perfectly comfortable.

   And then it happened. A woman, who looked to be maybe in her mid-twenties at most, became much immersed in the Spirit. She began to sway, lifting her hands. She began to cry, and to speak in tongues. Then, without stopping any of these things, she began to run around the sanctuary. Brandon was maybe 6 years old at the time, and had been sitting quietly during all of this. I don’t know what made me look, but I glanced over at him, and his eyes were as big as saucers! I turned back to face the front, and he nudged my leg. We were taught that it was wrong to talk during church, and he knew that, but he persistently nudged me. I leaned over so we could whisper. “What is it?” I asked. He shook his head slightly, and leaned in toward me. “I know what’s wrong with that girl. I know why she’s screamin’” he replied. I asked him what he meant, and he paused for a moment. Then, very solemnly and factually, he explained.

“That Holy Ghost is tryin’ to get her and she’s scared!”

Mom heard it, I heard it, and we decided it best to leave before anyone realized we were overcome with the giggles.