Pastor Sets Himself on Fire During Online Sermon [VIDEO]

As the coronavirus pandemic tightens its grip on society, many churches have made provisions to host worship services online in an effort to mitigate the risk of parishioners spreading or contracting the disease.

But doing so does come with a few risks, one of which is the pastor setting himself (or herself) on fire.

The Reverend Stephen Beach learned this the hard way as he leaned in a little too close to an open flame while recording an online sermon for St Budeaux Parish Church in Plymouth, England.

"Oh dear, I just caught fire," the pastor exclaimed.

Luckily, he was able to extinguish the flame before he was injured.

Where did I find this video? I met with my pastor this morning to make preparations for our first online service, which we plan to live stream tomorrow (3/22). (Yup, that's what you call a shameless plug.)

I (jokingly) suggested that we'd get more views on YouTube if he set himself on fire. "As it turns out, it's already been done," he said as he whipped out his phone to show me the video.

(And God, if you're listening, please help us pull this off without too many technical nightmares.)