The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher Page B

etching his forehead. “Two more boys dropped out of baptism class.”
    â€œWe’ve got a real crisis on our hands,” Levi said, nodding solemnly.
    And it started with your sermon , was what they were thinking. David could practically hear them spit out the words.
    â€œWe’ve got to keep the young people here,” Freeman said. “They’re our future.”
    â€œAnd how do you propose to do that? You can’t force someone into getting baptized.”
    â€œWe can make it more appealing.”
    â€œMore appealing?”
    â€œIt’s time to adjust baptism classes.”
    â€œAdjust?”
    â€œShorten. Condense. It’s the only answer.”
    With difficulty David held his tongue from asking, “To what question?”
    â€œYou’ve done it before. You did it last spring with Tobe Schrock.”
    â€œI didn’t condense the 18 Articles of the Confessions of Dordrecht.” Normally, while everyone sang hymns, the ministers met with those who planned to be baptized and taught two Articles at a time. David had met with Tobe Schrockmidweek to go through the Articles and help him catch up with the class. But he never abbreviated the lessons.
    â€œDavid, times are changing,” Freeman said. “Young people don’t have the attention span they used to. We can talk these boys into staying if we promise to make a few adjustments.”
    â€œLike . . . shortcutting over the Articles.”
    â€œShortening,” Freeman said crisply. “Condensing.” He took a step closer to David with a look on his face like the business end of an ax. “Must you resist everything?” He was used to having his instructions obeyed.
    â€œHow are you going to encourage these boys to get baptized? Through pressuring their parents about finances?”
    Freeman waved his hand as if brushing away a pesky fly.
    â€œYou never discussed meeting families to discuss finances with either Abraham or me.”
    â€œThere’s no need for four of us to meet with families. Besides, doing an annual financial review is something many church districts do.”
    â€œTrustees are chosen by the church members. When the bishop and the minister self-appoint themselves as trustees and burst into people’s homes and ask them to take an inventory of everything they own—it becomes intimidation.”
    Freeman and Levi exchanged a glance. “We do nothing of the sort. We want to make sure everyone is using their resources wisely and properly.” Freeman took a step closer to David, hands on his hips, long beard jutting. “And you might be surprised to learn that three families are in serious debt. Last year’s heavy autumn rains took a toll on the harvest and this year is looking just as bad. The price of feed is still rising. Meanwhile, milk prices are low and going lower. We’ll be lucky to break even. We need a good year justto keep our heads above water.” He crossed his arms over his large chest. “And then there’s the unexpected expenses. Ephraim Yoder, for example. His hospital bills are already sky-high and going higher.”
    â€œExorbitant,” Levi added. “Outrageous.”
    â€œWe’ll host a fundraiser,” David said, “like we always do, to help pay those bills. Ephraim and Sadie won’t be alone in this.”
    A loud snort punctuated the air. This came from Levi. “A fundraiser? That’s like squeezing blood from a turnip.”
    Freeman nodded in agreement. “I keep telling you that our church is facing some serious difficulties. Plenty of families are talking about cashing out and moving elsewhere. I don’t know that this church is going to be around much longer.”
    â€œFreeman, I run a store,” David said slowly, not quite able to conceal his impatience with this subject. “I know how many people aren’t settling their accounts. I’m not blind to the kind