Ten Little Christians

By Larry Pasley

Ten Little Christians standing in line

One disliked the preacher, then there were nine

Nine little Christians stayed up very late

One overslept, then there were eight

Eight little Christians on their way to Heaven

One took the low road and then there were seven

Seven little Christians chirping like chicks

One disliked the music, then there were six

Six little Christians seemed very much alive

but one lost his interest then there was five

Five little Christians pulling for Heaven's Shore

but one stopped to rest , then there were four

Four little Christians each busy as a bee

One got his feelings hurt, then there were three

Three little Christians knew not what to do

One joined the sporty crowd, then there were two

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done

They differed with each other, then there was one

One little Christian can't do much 'tis true

brought his friend to bible study- - then there were two

Two earnest Christians, each won one more

That doubled the number, then there were four

Four sincere Christians worked early and late

Each won another then there were eight

Eight splendid Christians if they doubled as before

In only just ten years, we'd have 1,024

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,

You belong either to the building or to the wrecking crew!

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    Church decline and growth is determined by many factors. Some of those are referred to in the poem above. The question for each of us is seen in the last line.

    Are we part of the building crew or the wrecking crew?

    If everyone in this congregation was just like you, would the church be growing or declining?

    May we be sure we are helping to build up the church not tear it down.

- Larry Pasley serves as a minister with the Jackson Street Church of Christ in Alexandria, LA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.JacksonStAlex.com