several years ago, i worked as a student ministries pastor & junior high pastor at a church in the OC (eric’s church!). the high school pastor who worked with me was an interesting guy, who’d come to christ as a 20-something, having one of those radical, whole-life conversion experiences. and, as is not uncommon, he quickly became a hyper-fundamentalist (for a period of time, that is). two weeks after his conversion, he felt compelled to serve, and volunteered to serve in the children’s ministry of the church. in a classic case of high-quality screening, he was given charge of a class of 5 year-olds, starting the following sunday.

his first sunday was easter. in his new zealotry, he taught the children in his charge a call-and-response verse about easter.

he would shout: where’s the easter bunny from?

the kids would shout, in response: hell!

repeat, many times.

let’s try this call-and-response instead:

me: christ is risen!

you (c’mon, say it out loud!): he is risen, indeed!