Asking the wrong questions

This Sunday's fight was sillier than usual. The lectern in the small sanctuary had been moved several feet so the choir could stand in front to sing. Simple. Who could object?

Too many. For two hours on Sunday afternoon, one church council member fielded phone calls from members who ranged from slightly warm to white-hot because the lectern had been moved.

The exasperated council member didn't follow through on his first inclination. "I got this urge," he said, "to perform a demonstration during next Sunday's announcement period involving an ax and the lectern. Arguing over a piece of wood? Don't people see they're asking the wrong question?"