Dwarf church serves under-privileged

Lark News.com ^ | no date

[Alex Murphy]

FRESNO — Step in, stoop and you'll see a scaled-down sanctuary with miniaturized pulpit and pews, a baptistery the size of a kitchen sink, little Bibles, small guitars, offering plates the size of doll's china — these accoutrements suit the only known Dwarf Church in America.

The tiny complex, situated in a residential neighborhood, looks like an assembly of children's playhouses. Members say the church is necessary because standard churches tend to overlook dwarf believers.

"I've been stepped on, carried to the altar, passed over for prayer, even forced to play the boy Jesus in the Easter play," says Daniel, 38, who stands less than four feet tall. "And during worship time — forget it. I couldn't see anything."

Others found their faith suffering because of the size differences, so they sojourn here for Sunday morning service. Many have found a life-changing community of similarly-sized believers.

"I wouldn't go to church if it wasn't for this place," says Nicholas, a 47-inch-tall, biker-looking man who rides his miniature, and very speedy, Harley-Davidson motorcycle to church.

The slate of heroes reads a little different here. They draw inspiration from the Apostle Paul, whom they believe was a midget (see article). They are devoted to Francis Schaeffer's book No Little People. And hardly a sermon goes by without reference to Zaccheus, the "wee little man" in whom many modern dwarfs find the embodiment of their theology.

"Like many of us, he was bitter to begin with," says the pastor one Sunday. "But he was not ashamed to climb that tree."

"Amen," says the congregation.

"And when that day was done, he stood taller than anyone there," the pastor says. The congregation applauds and whistles. After service, they step into the pint-sized fellowship hall for Dixie cups of juice and donut holes. There is laughter, shared stories and camaraderie. For once, they don't have to think about their abnormality.

"In God's sight, everybody is the same size," says Daniel. •

[Alex Murphy]

The slate of heroes reads a little different here. They draw inspiration from the Apostle Paul, whom they believe was a midget (see article). They are devoted to Francis Schaeffer's book No Little People. And hardly a sermon goes by without reference to Zaccheus, the "wee little man" in whom many modern dwarfs find the embodiment of their theology.

It's a long story - and an inside joke at my church. Surprisingly, about the only elements of said joke not duplicated here are the organization name "Midget Missionaries," and this scene from the Steve Taylor-written, Newsboys movie Down Under The Big Top:

"That's right - because little people never hurt anybody."

[ClearCase_guy]

standard churches tend to overlook dwarf believers

Too easy.

[Young Werther]

"...Oh ye of little faith!"

[blue-duncan]

Short People


Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
`Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
That stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

[Alex Murphy]

MARGIE THE MIDGET
words and music by Martin Mull

I spent a lovely boyhood
hitching rides on passing trains
I was lying near the windows
with my aches against the panes
but now...

I'm sitting on a houseboat
tied to a wharf
come and see me today
sitting on a houseboat
I got married to a dwarf
come and see us anyway

I married a midget
why not?
I thought about it an awful lot
and I couldn't think of any reason that
didn't seem small
and when I thought just a little more
about it
I couldn't think of any reason at all

Keep on your toes
My midget bride
You're just as tall as a rose
and three dozen wide
when folks come over, Margie, honey
you don't have to hide
I love you little midget
every way that we've tried...
-------------
and then we go walking, hand in ankle
down to the dock
ready to sail away
walking hand in ankle
she's got her arm around my sock
ready to sail away today
-------------------------
(c) 1970 WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

[Conservative til I die]

While it's nice that there is a Church that serves little people, it always seems to me that these type of niche Churches go overboard and almost make a mockery of themselves.

They also seem to segregate their audience from the rest of Christianity. Does Paul really have to be a midget for anyone to believe he was great?

[Clemenza]

Midgetville Ping!

[Huntress]

Ping!

[alamo boy]

***standard churches tend to overlook dwarf believers***

How about a sermon series on Knee-High-Miah... that ought to bring them in

[RouxStir]

Small consolation....for people who have been belittled.

[Alex Murphy]

Small consolation....for people who have been belittled.

That was a low blow.