Pastor electrocuted during baptism [Texas]

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | October 31, 2005 | AP

[FreedomCalls]

Sounds like good nominee for the Darwin Award.

Not really. Darwin Award nominees have to have done something really stupid to initiate their death or as they say "by eliminating themselves in an extraordinarily idiotic manner." This was just a case of an ordinary accident. People get electrocuted all the time, often from things like hairdryers falling into the bathtub with them or touching a overhead power line with a metal ladder. Same here. Accidently touching a powered microphone while standing in water is not "extraordinarily idiotic."

This, on the other hand is a typical example of "extraordinarily idiotic."

Failed Frame-Up

[SIDENET]

I had a relative who dropped dead suddenly and unexpectedly, while feeling fine, in mid-sentence, talking on the phone (berry aneurysm). Now she knew how to check out.

I have to agree. That is a good way to go.

[theDentist]

Standing in a pool and grabbing a live microphone makes him a Darwin nominee, no matter how many children he had, Gnu.

Deal with it.

[theDentist]

This young pastor grabbed an electric implement (microphone) while standing in water. That is stupid, and makes him a nominee. Deal with it.

[Savage Beast]

I've got the Dream Life!

I wish everybody lived in such abundance as I do--abundance in all things from love to children to a fabulous, brilliant, loving wife who's nuts about me and even plays the piano to gorgeous surroundings to education to a keen mind to...well everything. (It hasn't always been so. I'm a self-made man, and I've endured some bad things.)

But I'm ready to go on to the next life any time.

God has constantly been with me (as He is with all of us, all the time, though some don't know it and some are in denial about it), even when I was a child, even when I was a suicidal teenager (my knowledge of His presence kept me from doing it), even...always...and I was always lucky enough to be aware of it.

When the time's right, I'll just slip right into the next dimension...and for those who love me, it'll be a time to feel good and be happy.

(I would hate to have to go through some painful ordeal though. To paraphrase Groucho Marx: I've felt great, and I've felt awful, and great is better.)

[Hilltop]

To follow your specious statement, Jesus left heaven knowing he would be reviled, spat upon, mocked, scourged and nailed to a cross to die an agonying death.

In your mind, that would be another Darwin nominee move.

I'm glad you sir did not create the universe.

I have nothing to deal with, certainly not your obsequious remark, your impertinent nature, or your stench of judgemental arrogance with nothing of consequence to gird your statement.

As a "dentist", perhaps you are accustomed only to people opening their mouths, when they should be shut.

If you don't like it, deal with it.

[PAR35]

1. I was speaking specifically of the Baptism.

In that case, I might disagree with you, but I'll withdraw the other comments. As you could tell, I did not understand the limited nature of your comment when I responded.

In our church, the microphone is needed because the whole congregation participates in the baptism. They have to be able to hear the question asked of them so that they can respond at the appropriate time.

I can understand why that would not be needed in churches where the congregation has only a passive role.

As for the rest of your comments in this post, I fully agree. Nothing gets you in a reverent mood like a good German style pipe organ.

[The Optimist]

Here's the story behind the headline if you are interested. My sister-in-law's family new this family well.

She emailed the following:

I found out yesterday that a family friend had passed away on Sunday and I just wanted to ask you to be praying for his family. He was a pastor for 9 years at First Baptist Church in Waco and had a young wife, twin 3-yr old boys, and a 5 year old daugther. It was Baylor's homecoming and a former student and member of the church had asked him to baptize her. His wireless mic was acting up, so he grabbed a hand-held mic and was electricuted. He was taken to the hospital and died there. When my family went to First Baptist in Tyler he was a friend of my sister and she had many Bible studies over at his parent's house and his parents were friends with my parents. I haven't seen him probably in about 9 years, but it's just weird when things like this happen. My heart breaks for his family. His wife's name is Jennifer. His parents are David and Shirley Lake and he has 2 brothers, Jonah and Jody, and a sister, Kristi. They are all at a ranch in Waco that his parents own now and that they frequently visit all together. Also pray for that congregation. It's hard to find reason in all of it and it's truly a freaky circumstance but the Lord is in control.

[af_vet_rr]

I do want to go on record that if I ever was to die a tragic death, I give full permission for others here to make puns about me, nominate me for the Darwin award and come up with other witticisms that might apply to the circumstances my sudden demise. I would expect nothing less!

All of us are going to go sooner or later. I'd rather go out with a whimper than with a bang, but I don't think I have much choice in the matter.

I expect the Darwin comments, jokes, etc., in case I die a rather interesting death.

In fact, I'm hoping that my death will leave any witnesses telling the authorities or a reporter, something along the lines of "well, there was a lawnmower, a small homemade jet engine, a ramp, a soccer goal, a lot of foam padding, a hula skirt, a long rope, and a pair of snow skies. I'm still not sure what happened, but I'll remember his last words: "here, hold my beer"".

I'm not mocking the Pastor either - it's just there are some things you don't fool around with.

[RightWhale]

"It's the only way you can be loud enough."

There was a time when a powerful voice was required in this line of work.

[Lx]

That is horrible, especially on what is normally a very joyous day. They need to use a wireless mike. This was a preventable death. Anyone that's ever played guitar and touched a mic that was incorrectly wired knows this.

Prayers for all involved. When my church does baptisms, it's in a member's pool so they don't need a mic although this is something to keep in mind for the future.

I've got an old PA system I'm working on and it has some serious high voltages in it and all it takes is a miswired mike or someone cutting the ground pin off the power plug and you get zapped.

[Candor7]

http://www.ubcwaco.org/2004/ubc_holder.html


PRESS RELEASE



From:University Baptist Church , Waco, Texas Leadership Team



Re:University Baptist Church , Waco, Texas / Kyle Lake



Dated: October 31, 2005; 4 :00 p.m.


The congregation of University Baptist Church continues to mourn the loss of its pastor Kyle Lake as a result of an accidental electrocution at services on Sunday, October 30, 2005. The determination of the cause of the accident is being reviewed by technical professionals and authorities. We have no further information available to us at this time about the cause of this tragedy. As a result of the need to allow for the evaluation of the facilities and this accident, Sunday services for November 6, 2005 for University Baptist Church will be moved to the chapel at Truett Seminary.

Our focus at this time is to mourn the loss of Kyle Lake and to celebrate his life with his family, the University Baptist Church congregation and the community.

The funeral services have been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at First Baptist Church of Waco, 500 Webster – corner of 5th and Clay. Viewing is at 12:00 noon.

[LA Woman3]

University Baptist Church pastor Kyle Lake.

[theDentist]

YOU are the one making this about religion, not I. I am greatly relieved that YOU had no hand in the creation of the universe, else we'd have all been born without humor, and instead with a stick up the butt.

This guy did something that even children know is stupid. In my book, he is a Darwin nominee.

And finally, I'll say whatever I wish, whenever I wish, as you do per the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.

[Hilltop]

I did not make this about "religion", it was the obvious nature of the original post.

As for humor, stick to your day job.

As for the rights granted to you under the Constitution, exercise them at will. I glean from your comments nothing more than what I do from the bray of a donkey.

Give me anecdotal evidence of a young child that stated to you that using this microphone in the baptismal was stupid. You can't.

And lastly, I said nothing about your God given right enumerated in the Constitution to self-expression as codified by the founding fathers.

Do not reply, I choose not to engage in mind games with mental midgets.

Deal with it.

[theDentist]

HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! Whatever, Mr. Pious.

[Revolting cat!]

Everybody's in show biz, everybody's an exhibitionist. Why, can't have baptism without a microphone. You heard it here. What brand PA system would Jesus use? Whatever happened to intimacy, privacy, humility?

[Hilltop]

When you claim stupidity, I'll claim piety.

I encouraged you to not respond, you failed to heed my admonishment.

Deal with it.

[Tall_Texan]

I'm ready to go as far as my relationship with my Savior, however, I would not want to go until my children are grown and I have been able to train them in Gods word.

Obviously in this man's case God decided that wasn't necessary.

I am curious as to how successful the alter call was after this event. Who knows how many souls decided not to wait any longer after witnessing this.

[Windsong]

Buuuump!!