In a misguided attempt to connect with younger churchgoers, Pastor Brock “The Rock” Johnson of Tumbleweed Seventh-day Adventist Church found himself in a precarious situation after trying to emulate Hulk Hogan’s infamous shirt-ripping incident from the 2024 Republican National Convention.
During his sermon entitled “Ripping Away the Sins of the World,” Pastor Johnson sought to draw parallels between Hogan’s dramatic gesture and the biblical story of Samson tearing apart a lion. Midway through his impassioned speech, the pastor grasped his shirt collar and attempted to tear the garment asunder, proclaiming, “Just as Hulk Hogan ripped his shirt at the RNC, so too must we rip away the sins that bind us!”
However, the pastor’s shirt proved to be made of sturdier stuff than Hogan’s flimsy RNC attire. As he strained and grunted, the shirt refused to yield, leaving him red-faced and tangled in a half-stretched, sweat-soaked mess. The awkward silence that followed was punctuated only by the muffled giggles of the congregation and the creaking of the pastor’s straining buttons.
Deacon Delilah Biceps, who witnessed the spectacle from the front pew, later remarked, “It was like watching a slow-motion train wreck. I couldn’t look away, even though I knew I should have.
The incident has sparked a heated debate within the Adventist community about the appropriateness of incorporating pop culture references and wrestling-inspired antics into worship services. Some have praised Pastor Johnson for his bold attempt to engage with contemporary issues, while others have criticized him for trivializing the solemnity of the pulpit.
In response to the controversy, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists released a statement, reading in part, “While we appreciate the enthusiasm and creativity of our pastors, we strongly discourage the use of shirt-ripping, leg-dropping, or any other professional wrestling moves during divine worship services. We trust that our ministers will exercise discretion and maintain the dignity of their calling.”
As for Pastor Johnson, he has vowed to stick to more traditional sermon illustrations in the future, stating, “I’ve learned my lesson. From now on, I’ll leave the shirt-ripping to the professionals and focus on ripping apart the devil’s schemes with the power of God’s Word.”
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