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“Well, that about wraps it up for this Easter Message.” That’s a quote from a meditation written for a church newsletter. That sentence was preceded by a thoughtful and rather passionate appeal to be witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. The pastor used the sentence as a transition to other extraneous thoughts in his final paragraph ---prayers for those serving in the military or for families in the congregation who had recently lost loved ones---but to me it was as if the backdrop of a theater set had just come crashing down. The man behind the curtain, pulling the levers that made him sound important, just became exposed. What had seemed real and of vital importance suddenly sounded like the end of a scripted program. Another item just got checked off a pastor’s to-do list. . Maybe I’m being hyper-critical. In the midst of Holy Week and Easter preparations, writing a meditation for the church newsletter is likely to be one more task (and not a particularly consequential one) on an overwritten and increasingly demanding to-do list. Most likely it caught my attention simply because lately I’ve been evaluating my own preaching. I’ve been a preacher for a long time, but I still sometimes wonder what does it take to communicate effectively. My latest theory is that effective sermons occur at the intersection of three key components (a Trinitarian formula is always a good idea!). The first component is the Biblical content. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (II Cor. 4:5). We are mere messengers. What we have to say is important not because it is interesting or reasonable or entertaining but because it comes from God. Law and Gospel provide the focus for understanding the Biblical message and for aligning the content of the sermon with God’s purpose.
There is nothing new in this and most would agree. Effective sermons occur at the intersection of God’s Word and human need. I would argue, however, that there is a third component---the authenticity of the preacher. This is the part that is most difficult. It is easy to take refuge in the knowledge that sermon is not about me, that the Word is a means of grace that operates independently of me, that even if I don’t do a particularly good job of communicating, God will cover. In reality, God presumably could have, as Luther often remarked, sent angels to do this task. He didn’t. There must be a reason. Could it be that we are actually part of the message, that as the Word becomes alive and real in us, grace is illuminated? Did he chose to use fallible humans because in that crucible where the message intersects with life and heart, it becomes alive in a way that neither polished media, nor professional speech writer, nor orator can ever compete with? What strikes me about a lot of preaching I’ve heard lately---and I probably get more opportunities than most to hear different preachers in a variety of settings--- is how seldom it seems to come from the heart. That is, of course, a judgment call, but frankly that is how it often strikes me. The word that comes to mind is “cute.” Often the content has been good. The sermons are usually Biblically and theologically sound. Often there has been a good illustration or analogy which illustrated a point. But it is almost as if The Message has been kept in its original wrapping for fear that some of it might rub off. I was left wondering, is this what the pastor really believes?
If that is so, we can never safely distance ourselves from the message we proclaim. A great deal of sermon preparation must include prayer, and soul searching. Nor is all of the preparation directly related to sermon writing. It is also involves on-going curiosity about the ways God is working in my life and the lives of others and day to day reflection about the way the Word is shaping my life. We might wish to “wrap it up,” but, unfortunately, he’s not done yet so neither are we. First Call Memories I’m working on a project to equip leaders in congregations who receive first call pastors for their unique role in pastoral formation. I am interested in hearing stories---memories of your first call experiences that provide examples of either things that congregations do to support, encourage, and work with new pastors or things that they do that are hurtful, discouraging, and demonstrate lack of understanding. Most pastors have very vivid memories of their first years in parish ministry. What are yours? Websites The April 9, 2007 issue of Time contained an article about issues faced by “Pastors’ wives” (sorry, guys--- that a clergy spouse might not always be female was completely ignored). A guide to networks, websites, and blogs by pastors’ wives is provided at www.time.com/work. The submission deadline for the latest round of Lilly Endowment sabbatical grants is May 15. Information can be found at www.lillyendowment.org or by sending an e-mail to clergyrenewal@yahoo.com. Called to Preach? Leaning forward anxiously in his chair, a man sat in his pastor's office. His hands were on his knees, and his eyes were wide with anticipation. "I can't stand to listen to anyone else preach," he told his pastor. "You reckon that means God is calling me to ministry?" Adapted from an original cartoon by Mary Chambers, The Best Cartoons from Leadership Journal, Volume 1 (Broadman & Holman, 1999) In Christ's Service, Roger Kruger This e-mail newsletter is an endeavor of Partners in Caring, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. I envision it as a way to share ideas, resources, and conversation about the joys and struggles of ministry. I welcome your input. Feel free to pass it on to friends.
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Authenticity
The second component is human need: the need for forgiveness, encouragement, rebuke, hope, love, guidance, acceptance, understanding. Answers need to connect with questions. Predestination is an important subject, but it probably isn’t high on the list of issues that people today spend a lot of time thinking about. On any given Sunday, there are people in the congregation with differing needs. When the Word is communicated effectively, relating clearly to a particular felt need, a powerful connection takes place that is memorable and potentially life-changing. Fortunately, sometimes despite the fact that the sermon is neither clear nor organized, the connection still occurs---a miracle which can only be attributed to the working of the Spirit. God does what we sometimes are unable to do, enabling hearers to understand and apply the message.
There is a difference between delivering a message about “Why the alphabet is important” and a sermon about “Forgiveness.” The difference, I believe, is the one requires authenticity of the speaker, the other doesn’t.