The Great Zipper Scare

An embarrassing almost-moment that still shapes how I show up

I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it’s been almost forty years.

The pastor of the church we were attending was out of town, and he asked me to speak. I was young, a little nervous, and sitting on the platform while the music director led a couple of hymns. I was trying to stay present, but my mind kept drifting to what I was about to say.

Up in the sound booth was one of my best friends. While we were singing, he caught my eye and motioned for me to pick up the phone that connected the platform to the booth.

I grabbed it and whispered, “What’s up?”

He said, “Don’t be obvious, and don’t move too fast… but your zipper is down, and your white shirt tail is hanging out.”

You know that instant wave of heat that hits your face? That was me. I didn’t dare look down. I just said, “Seriously?” hung up, and tried to think.

I slipped behind the music director and quietly told him, “Make this the last verse.” He looked confused but nodded and kept going while I stood safely behind the lectern, trying to get my pulse back to normal.

When the song ended, I stepped forward, welcomed everyone, and said, “Let’s pray.”

Head bowed, eyes closed, I reached down to fix the problem – only to discover there was no problem. My pants were already zipped. Shirt fine with everything as it should be.

I glanced up mid-prayer and saw my friend in the booth doubled over in hysterics.

I finished the prayer, carried on with the service, and survived. At the time, it felt like one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. Looking back now, it’s just plain funny.

But it did teach me something.

Since that day, before I step in front of a room, I do a quick mental and physical check: buttons, zipper, notes, and mindset. Not out of vanity, but because distractions—real or imagined—pull attention away from what actually matters.

We’ve all had moments like that. Some are truly embarrassing. Others only feel that way in the moment and turn into stories we laugh about years later. Either way, they remind us of something simple but important:

When you’re communicating whether it be on stage, in a meeting, or in a conversation, people should remember the message, not the distraction.

And yes, to this day, I still double-check.