Pastor killed during service

If Dirty Harry were a deranged, God-fearing man he might quip something to the effect, "Shoot first, say Amen later."

Earlier this month a stranger walked down the aisle of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois and blessed the Rev Fred Winters with .45-caliber semiautomatic. It might not have given Rev Winters a closer walk with Thee but it, no doubt, increased the lead in the man's diet.

Violence and tragic mishaps in churches---barring terrorist fundamentalism---have a halo of dark comedy to them that arouses a smirk in me as I wonder on God's protective hand. Did you hear about the one about the old man who broke the fall of steeple? Classic!

Returning to Maryville, the preacher's initial reaction was to shield himself from bullets with, get this, a Bible. Had he lived that most certainly would have made for a barnstorm sermon from coast to coast. Reported one congregant, "We thought it was part of a drama skit. When he shot, what you saw was confetti. We just sat there waiting for what comes next."

Shoot first, say Amen later

What eventually followed was the preacher's funeral. The madman was, in turn, subdued by two other congregants but not before whipping out a knife to replace the jammed gun (guess they don't make 'em like they use to).

Oh, and I would be remissed for not mentioning the theme of Rev Winter's sermon: Finding happiness in the workplace.

You can't make this stuff up!