Jan 16 2009
Advice to preachers: It helps to tell the story
This is a short note, and I’m sure the one preacher (that I know of) who reads this blog doesn’t have this issue: but I have to say that it bothers me how little I hear the story of the text in a sermon.
I can’t count how many sermons I’ve heard wherein the preacher starts with the text(s) of the day and moves on to
- a theological concept
- a slice-of-life story
- a saint story
- a reference to vapid, superficial entertainment (think of all those who thought it made them “hip” to somewhat-praise The Da Vinci Code from the pulpit)
and then tell us all how to live our lives better (or, as often as not, end up rambling until mental friction slows the sermon to a halt). If the story is told, it’s almost always about Jesus, Joseph, Mary, or the Patriarchs, or it’s a story we already know (eg, Saul becoming Paul, etc). If there’s a reading from the Minor Prophets, it’s not worthwhile to preach about humility unless you’ve demonstrated it in the story of the text. Likewise, Pauline theology in Galatians can’t be demonstrated without giving the congregation some idea about the Church in Galatia and why Paul felt it necessary to write them. Most of us don’t know our biblical history.Pastors, spiritual fathers and mothers, teach us, please.
(Not sure what prompted this thought. I’m adequately taught at my current church. Still, had to pass it along to the interwebs…)
