A minister was approached by a man who expressed a desire to become a member of the congregation. The man said that he was rather busy, and didn’t have time to volunteer. “I don’t want to be called on for any service such as committee work, teaching a class, or singing in the choir. Then, too, don’t expect me for worship too often.”

The minister thought for a moment and then replied, “I believe you are at the wrong church. The church you are looking for is three blocks down the street.” The man followed the preacher’s directions and soon came to an abandoned, boarded up, closed church building. It was a dead church—gone out of business.