I was edified by yesterday’s discussion. It’s what I would love to see happen all the time, not just on this blog, but around the Internet. I saw little to no anger, no name calling, no harsh words. And I was shown to be wrong in something I said! While I don’t enjoy being wrong, I do like to learn. This Kitchen is meant to be a place where one can present “half-baked” thoughts for evaluation, critique and even correction.
Some of the debate centered around form and function, trying to separate what is done from why it is done and accepting the fact that the same thing can be accomplished in more than one way. I still think that today’s sermons are a form of teaching that grew up over the last few centuries; they fulfill the function of teaching God’s Word, but it’s not wholly impossible that the same function could be fulfilled in other ways. If we look at 1 Corinthians 14, there is little there that looks like our traditional preaching, yet its a description of the public teaching that went on during the assembly in Corinth.
I hope we can explore ways in which we can restore a balance to our worship services, rather than making them so sermon centered. That was one of the main things that came out of yesterday’s discussion. We need more focus on the reading of God’s Word, more focus on the Lord’s Supper. I’d like to see more times for interaction: sharing prayer concerns, confessing sin, offering words of encouragement, seeking and giving forgiveness. I fear the unthinking routine that I see myself falling into at times. We get into a rut and, as my high school choir director used to say, “A rut is just a grave with both ends knocked out.”
I like to preach. No, I love to preach. As I’ve said before, I would love for the whole service to be centered around the preacher and the preacher to be me. But I don’t think that’s what the assembly should be. That doesn’t fit what I see in the Bible.
But I’m definitely open to being corrected. :-)
{If you didn’t vote in yesterday’s poll, please go back and do so! }
Me TOO! Which is probably why I’m not a preacher — I’m afraid my ego would just add to the problem instead of being a gift for those around me.
Tim…great thoughts and reflections. Perhaps the key is what motivates, inspires and equips the body for joining the mission of God in each age and not as much of anything else?
Nick,
A friend told me the story of a preacher who finished his sermon, then was approached by a member who told him what a great sermon it had been. “I know,” the preacher replied. The member was taken aback, then the preacher added, “Satan’s been telling me that ever since I stepped down from the pulpit.”
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Reg,
I think that’s very true. It also varies culture to culture. I laugh at myself when I preach in Latin America because I soon find myself shouting. But that’s how they do it. Watch their politicians. Watch their preachers. That’s the communication style that gets through to them.
We don’t want to fall into a consumerist mentality, as Rex commented on the last post, but we do need to be willing to adjust.
Thanks Reg! Welcome to The Kitchen.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Thanks for the discussion! I just need to be reminded that teaching comes in many forms, sometimes through preaching, sometimes by people sharing their experiences and what they’ve learned from God through those experiences. And many times in the words of songs, I am shaken, touched or simply reminded of who God is and of His POWER!
Do you ever listen to Nicole Mullins? She has the sweetest of spirits, and an incredibly beautiful voice, but the words to her songs PREACH the Word of God. When I’m down and not focusing on the Lord, I put in one of her CDs and I’m speaking the truth immediately, in my heart and in my head, and out loud! If you’re looking for her, find “When I Call On Jesus” as your first listening experience.
love and peace,
kim
Kim, I think all of us (but especially preachers) need to remember that teaching occurs in many ways during the assembly, as well as outside of the assembly.
Grace and peace,
Tim
OK, so I’m late to the ballgame, but i wanted to add my two cents to the preaching discussion to tell you about what they do at the Brookline Church of Christ in Brookline, MA. It is their norm to have a Q&A/Feedback portion of the service, at which time the preacher and the congregants can discuss what was said. it’s WONDERFUL! When we were there again in May, the amazing Bob Randolph preached, and the comments, questions, and demeanor of the whole feedback process was edifying and constructive. It felt like the right way to do this serrmon thing, yet what other churches do this?
Two cents added…
Peace,
Karen
Thanks for the two cents, Karen. That triples the value of this site! :-)