"King of the Hill"

Episode: “Reborn to be Wild”
Original Air Date: 11/9/03
(voices) Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon
Director: Dominic Polcino
Fox

When Hank gets concerned about Bobby’s most recent behavior, he seeks the council of his church minister who refers him to a church youth group. Bobby reluctantly goes finding them to be a gang of tattooed, skateboarding Christians instead of “one of those murdering gangs” as Peggy puts it.

Hank, pleased that Bobby likes the group, changes his tune when he gets a first-hand look at them after Bobby invites them over to skateboard in the ally. Hank, of course, views them as hippies or thugs and is frustrated because he cannot effectively criticize them. “Wait, I think that one is smoking! Ah, no, (disappointed) he’s praying.”

Hank’s concern grows when he sees how they’re effecting Bobby’s behavior. “I don’t know what to make of this youth group of Bobby’s. Last night he broke curfew but he was reading the Bible. What are you supposed to do with that?”

Later, Bobby offers the dinner time prayer, “I wanna give a shout out to the Man who makes it all happen. Props be to You for this most bountiful meal that sits before us…”

Inspired by the rebellious spirit of the group and their leader, Pastor K, Bobby disobeys his parents by sneaking out to attend Messiah Fest.

This is probably my favorite episode of “King of the Hill,” a show that brilliantly captures small town conservative middle America from which creator Mike Judge sprang. Pastor K and the youth group illustrate the Christian rock, grunge, alternative movement in recent decades. At first, it may seem that they are the antagonists in this story. But we soon learn that Hank is once again just protecting highly impressionable Bobby from himself, as clarified in the final scene.

After retrieving Bobby from Messiah Fest, Hank brings him into the garage where he shows him an old box containing the discarded remains of Bobby’s many childhood phases and trends. Bobby comments about how stupid all those things seem now. Hank replies, “I know you think that the stuff you’re doin’ now is cool but in a few years you’re gonna think it’s lame. And I don’t want the…um…Lord to…um…you know…end up in this box.”

There are a lot of different worship styles and mediums out there for Christianity today. As the world changes, the message does not.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. –Hebrews 13:8

Pastor K and his youth group had good intentions but Hank knew his son and what affect they would have on him. They’re message reaches some but the style may not be right for everyone. Whatever you do for God, make sure your focus is on the substance and not the style. And, whatever trend or phase you decide to follow, make sure it’s true to you and your beliefs.