It was the favourite part of the East Coast Park of my home church, World Revival Prayer Fellowship. We conducted our baptisms there for over 30 years. It was on the beach in front of Car Park D1, at Campsite Area D. Water from the Siglap Canal flowed into the sea. We baptised new believers in the “watery graveyard” next to the Siglap Canal Lookout Deck.

We chose this place because it was suitable for baptism, community building and nearby amenities. Parking at D1 was free. The lookout deck jutted out into the sea and acted as a mini wave barrier. There was a large open field where the members would play soccer or chairball after the baptism. There were shady areas where we picnicked around park tables and in the pavilion. The Marine Cove, with Mac Donald’s and other food options, was 200 metres away. There was a washroom and toilet about 100 metres away.

Red-faced at a baptism

I remembered an unforgettable baptism. Quite a number were baptised that Sunday. It was a hot sunny day. Songs were sung from the beach. Baptism candidates were prayed for and baptised in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Photos were taken. All went well.

I was soaked but filled with joy. I took the plastic bag with my change of clothes and walked to the public bathrooms. I entered a shower room and happily hung my plastic bag containing a towel, comb, soap, dry T-shirt and shorts. As I showered, I was singing praises to the Lord. It was indeed a day the Lord has made, and I rejoiced in it. Then I dried myself and put on my clothes. As I opened the shower room door and went out to comb my hair, I saw a few young ladies entering the bathroom. Lo and behold (biblical language), my face turned red with embarrassment, and my feet became as quick and nimble as a cat’s, as I left the LADIES TOILET with my head hung low!

While doing the Lord’s work, our thoughts and emotions are often immersed in the event, and I was not fully present with the physical surroundings. It could be the gentle sea breeze, the brightness of the day, the heat on my skin, the kind trees along the path that shaded me, the Filipino domestic helpers laughing and singing on their day off, the smell of barbecued chicken, and, in this case, the toilet signboard.

Red-faced at a wedding

The memory of this embarrassing moment was not as serious as another one in a wedding. I have heard of a minister who forgot he had a wedding to conduct. I had an embarrassing moment at a wedding where I conducted the ceremony. It did not inconvenience anyone, but it became an important lesson for me. The wedding was held in a lovely and spacious venue. It was a big wedding with many guests, which amplified my embarrassment. The hymns were sung, I gave a short meditation, and the marriage ceremony began.

Along the way, I missed a part, and had to ask the groom and bridegroom to backtrack. It was in front of a few hundred guests and church members. I felt terribly sorry for the couple that I made this amateur mistake. I suppressed my feelings of embarrassment, regained my peace, and continued the ceremony, ending it without further mishap, but with a shirt wet from perspiration. I later apologised to the bride and groom profusely, but they were very gracious. I felt bad for the couple and myself for quite some time after that.

There is always a rehearsal before the wedding. I went through the whole message and ceremony a few hours before the wedding. I think it is standard practice for all pastors. However, even with our best efforts, things can go wrong. A slip of the tongue, forgetting the names, the order the ceremony should take, and forgetting some line, or dropping the ring. Although weddings like these are formal occasions, embarrassing mistakes can happen.

Apologies were made, but the lesson I learned is not to be too harsh on myself for such blips. We are not God. We are humans, and humans, even those who are Spirit-filled, make mistakes.

I learned more about myself. Which part of me made me feel embarrassed? Perfectionism? Wanting to maintain a good reputation? Worries about what people think or say? I learned how to handle my emotions. I received forgiveness, forgave myself. I received his shalom and went on serving.

Are there other embarrassing moments to write about? Yes, quite a few more. However, I am not ready to share, and I do not have permission to share them. Do you have embarrassing moments to share? Do share them and what you learned in the comment box.

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