I wish I knew that then.
10 reflections on preaching
Trinity did a photo directory right after we arrived in 2005.
#ouch It is going to go on my ungratefuls list at Thursday Examen, that Geoffrey found this while helping go through the old office.
I also just moved boxes of my own sermons, cassette tapes, cd's galore. I didn't listen to them, but I know a flood of "I wish I knew" thoughts came to mind. Want an example?
1. Preaching is more delivering a love letter from the Lover to the beloved, than a lesson. I wish I knew that then.
2. Picking targets (culture, media, Hollywood) is a cheap way of earning points with your listeners. God didn’t ordain me to the office of chief communicator of our shared enemies. I wish I knew that then.
3. Hosting and serving up a meal is better than talking about a meal. I wish I knew that then.
4. Delivering the goods is better than making sure everybody thinks accurately about the goods. I wish I knew that then.
5. Theology is for proclamation. I wish I knew that then (even though I had Forde for a teacher!).
6. People don't care about sermon series as much as I do. They are hungry for a word from God, whether they know it or not. I wish I knew that then.
7. Theories, speculations, abstractions are like mist. Tangible, sacramental, incarnation, embodied forgiveness is like a waterfall. I wish I knew that then.
8. The Word of God has an authority all its own. It borrows nothing from me, nothing from my study of it, nothing from what I say about it. Just say it. I wish I knew that then.
9. Long sermons don't necessarily make more heroic disciples. It might just make them more tired. I wish I knew that then--and now.
10. The sermon doesn't do all the lifting. The liturgy, the hymnody, the children's message, the readings, the intercessions, the pax, the eucharist, the benediction are all touch points where our gracious God speaks, listens, heals, moves, kisses, fist bumps, feeds, frees, sends... I wish I knew that then.
I am going to be a foil for this note. We often do not see who we are and how we affect others which leads to a misunderstanding of ourselves.
Here are my thoughts:
1. Preaching is more delivering a love letter from the Lover to the beloved, than a lesson. I wish I knew that then.
a. I agree however the love letter should contain a lesson!
2. Picking targets (culture, media, Hollywood) is a cheap way of earning points with your listeners. God didn’t ordain me to the office of chief communicator of our shared enemies. I wish I knew that then. You have done both!
a. Yes, recent political experiences have aptly demonstrated this. It is not only cheap and easy capital, it is dishonest. We should love our enemies. That does not mean agree with them rather communicate to them the more perfect way.
3. Hosting and serving up a meal is better than talking about a meal. I wish I knew that then.
a. We all learn this with time. One of my regrets is that, now with Beckie gone, I host less. It goes hand in hand with giving. It is giving of your time and resources. You have given so much of both it is hard to see how this would sting! My guess is, like many, you do not see your impact on the community (It’s a Wonderful Life).
4. Delivering the goods is better than making sure everybody thinks accurately about the goods. I wish I knew that then.
a. Tough one. I think delivering the goods in a way that lends opportunity for everyone to think accurately about them is king. Your messages got across! Whether or not your focus is on delivering or accurate thinking the goods were delivered. I think Jesus said that at least once.
5. Theology is for proclamation. I wish I knew that then (even though I had Forde for a teacher!).
a. Absolutely! Nevertheless, theology and discussion are important, just not as important as evangelism. You cannot declare what you do not know. I tried it and it doesn’t work. In my experience when I was inundated in my studies and then went into the workplace it was difficult to separate learning from actual practice because I was (and am) still learning. Often theological discussion is too disconnected from proclamation.
6. People don't care about sermon series as much as I do. They are hungry for a word from God, whether they know it or not. I wish I knew that then.
a. However, if you did not organize and execute as well as you do, people would still be hungry.
7. Theories, speculations, abstractions are like mist. Tangible, sacramental, incarnation, embodied forgiveness is like a waterfall. I wish I knew that then.
a. Yes, but they are deeper than that and I think they are meant to be abstract. God intended it so we would know we don’t know!
8. The Word of God has an authority all its own. It borrows nothing from me, nothing from my study of it, nothing from what I say about it. Just say it. I wish I knew that then.
a. Yes! I think you become aware of that right at your first utterance of the Gospel. At work I would start sharing with coworkers at lunch. They suddenly became quiet and attentive. It wasn’t me. It was what I was saying. Then I would mess it up by doing or saying something stupid. That confirmed it wasn’t me. Yes, it was a lesson I learned in time but operates regardless of our awareness.
9. Long sermons don't necessarily make more heroic disciples. It might just make them more tired. I wish I knew that then--and now.
a. No, if you have something to say and it takes some time then say it! Just because Jesus was succinct (you ever noticed that?) doesn’t mean He didn’t say something that would take volumes to understand. Maybe break it up in parts and also add something to the effect: if you want an in-depth view see my extended notes on line. I for one would listen for hours. I know I am strange, that’s just me.
10. The sermon doesn't do all the lifting. The liturgy, the hymnody, the children's message, the readings, the intercessions, the pax, the Eucharist, the benediction are all touch points where our gracious God speaks, listens, heals, moves, kisses, fist bumps, feeds, frees, sends... I wish I knew that then.
a. I do not know how you did not know this when you were younger. Maybe you became too familiar with it. I see this every time I am in service. It is like a glorious procession that becomes more precious with age. I have to believe that your father’s church was very similar to ours and you were very familiar with the liturgy. I am going to steal an old Irish proverb speaking to how we learn or behaviors: “You didn’t lick it off the grass.” In summary, it becomes more valuable with time. Maybe that is why it is less valuable when you are younger!
Such brilliant lessons you’ve learned and I’m still learning, in my teaching ministry.
Right now, this week, I’m at a YWAM base in England teaching in a counselling school. The notes are always in front of me but it takes surrender and submission to the mind of Christ, to lead me what to say (and not to say) in each session. And you’re right, it’s not just information needed, but revelation necessary.