Preaching, The Two Way Street

I love church.

My parents did a good job of sending me to church, regardless of how much I wanted to sleep in or watch cartoons instead when I was younger. I thank them for that.

As I matured, I began to listen and understand the sermons, instead of drawing on the programs and making paper airplanes with the offering envelopes. I was raised with the lil’ red Hymnal Book. I was raised with songs of Zion. I was raised with Negro Spirituals. My belief and faith in God grew tremendously. As a teenager, I took my lessons sincerely. I trusted my pastor. I trusted my Sunday School teachers. I trusted what I learned.

As of recently, it seems that my growth in my home church has sort of “topped-off”. The sermon don’t touch me like that use to. It seems like I’m hearing the same lessons over and over again. Thus, I’ve began to visit several churches this semester/summer, in particular, Lakewood, and I even attend First United with my father. And throughout my visits I’ve noticed the different forms of preaching. And lately, I’ve been trying to determine what services most inspire me to be better and do better.

I can imagine that preachers have a lot of pressure on them, ya know. They have to get through to people, spiritually. Their profession is to save people. and keep them saved.

Sometimes I got to catch myself, because I find myself judging the preacher’s effectiveness from the pew.

And I know that’s a touchy subject, ya know….”evaluating preachers”. Even the most renowned preachers get flap.

I’ve come across much hearsay, such as…

“…But T.D. Jakes drives a Bentley.”

TD Jakes

“Joel Olsteen only preaches prosperity gospel.”

Joel Olsteen

“Paula White is a marriage counselor? Isn’t she on her 3rd marriage?

Paula White

“[My preacher] tells senseless stories that don’t relate to the lesson.”

Preachers can definitely be hit-or-miss, I suppose. But even the most powerful preachers [above] in the country can’t escape judgment [no pun intended]. They have the greatest influence, yet the greatest criticism. Google it. Since the days when the Catholic Church ran things, I suppose clergy have always been under intense scrutiny. Boy, does it get messy.

But they’re human, and despite their alleged faults, aren’t they still saving souls. What preacher is perfect? How many of us wouldn’t buy “expensive” things if our church’s offering plate was overloaded after every few pews? It’s an age-old tale. Even though they are likely fulfilling the Christian duty of saving souls, we hold them to a higher standard. But I digress. Another blog, another time.

Point being, the methods of preachers are highly scrutinized.

Different cultures call for different types of preaching. Different people need a different types of messages. Some expect a very seldom service. Some expect a “hype” service. Some expect a 20-25 minute sermon. To some, church is an all day affair.

Could you go to a church with a different form of praise and worship?

Ok. Sure you can, but will you feel you got anything out of it?

Should you?

A concept that I was instructed to a few years back is

“…to not go to church for therapy.” ,

“Don’t go to church to excite your emotions.”

“Church isn’t entertainment.”

Not saying that you can’t do all that and still praise God. [Perhaps you can praise and be entertained at once? <shrug>] However, I can’t expect the preacher to ’sweep me off of my feet’ every Sunday. Therefore, I can’t help but think of the “art of preaching”. Preaching must be one of the hardest things to do.

As Christians, we are all meant to be preachers. But as a Christian, I feel that I have an obligation to keep an open mind to things. As I Christian, I am meant to be the light of the world. I should be open to all things that are presented to help to develop me at a Christian. Every sermon should matter.

With my analytical mind, I can’t help but to notice how things can be done better, more effectively. I feel bad to be so critical in church. But I can’t help but notice deficiencies sometimes.

Preachers and churches have different styles. There’s no formula to preaching. Preaching must adapt to the culture in which it is trying to touch. Paul the Apostle even had to write several letters to different groups of people. He had to address each of them [Romans, Hebrews, Ephesians, etc.] differently based on the issues each group had.

I suspect that the “ideal” sermon is one in which you feel the pastor is talking to you. One in which the pastor relates to you. However, I’ve been advised that the best sermons come from the word itself. From God himself. Because God knows me best. God knows how to get to me. And as my aunt says, the Bible has everything. There’s murder [Cain&Abel - not the West Campus bar], there’s betrayal [Jacob/Judas], there’s adultery [David&Bathsheba], there’s everything! CSI has nothing on the Bible. Grey’s Anatomy has nothing on the Bible. The Wire has nothing on the situations in the Bible. The Bible addresses it all… in some way or another. And as we’ve come to find out over thousands of years of drama…. is that there are different interpretations of that word.

Pastors are taught to interpret the word, then teach the overall lesson to the masses, right? Ever heard two totally different interpretations of the same scripture? [It's kinda awkward]. ‘Cause then you’re left to decide which one makes sense. I’ve heard a whole slew of contradicting sermons. Fortunately, through my own studying and reading, I developed my own understand of the word. And the lesson means so much more when you discover the lessons for yourself.

I’ve been advised that the best sermons come from the word itself. From God himself. God knows me. God knows how to get to me.

So I have to remain open-minded to all sermons that I hear. I got to be able to GET the message for myself. Not to go through the motions. There’s something to learn to from every experience…right?. It takes a really insightful person to take a seemingly mediocre bland situation, and find the lesson within. Lord, guide me to be that person

Preachers are just the liaison. I have to find my own salvation.

Justin’s Favorite Hymns:

• What A Friend we have in Jesus
• Praise Him, Praise Him
• The Blood wil never loose its power
• I Really love the lord
• I surrender All.
• Order My Steps
• Amazing Grace – Wintell Phelps
• How Great Thou art

~ by justinfication on August 2, 2008.