| The Preacher's Audience 12-14-09 |
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Dear Friends, Imagine your congregation yesterday. A teenager in the balcony is contemplating suicide, unable to cope with the memories of sexual abuse as a young child. A couple sitting near the front made the painful decision the night before to end their 30 year marriage. A young man in the back row, a first time visitor, wonders whether this congregation might be a place where he can feel comfortable worshipping as a gay man. An elderly woman sitting alone is consumed by grief because this is her first Christmas without her beloved husband. A recent college graduate, unable to find a job, feels lost and questions where God is leading her. How do you proclaim the good news in a way that reaches people with a variety of hopes, dreams, and needs? Who is your audience as a preacher? As you stand in front of your congregation week after week, who are your listeners? Most commonly, an audience is defined as "the group of spectators at a public event." Therefore, it is natural to look at the congregation as the audience in preaching. As preachers, we present the word of God to our congregations by "re-presenting God." Preaching always begins with our relationship with God. In order to preach well, we need to be intentional about cultivating our own spirituality. We cannot offer to others what we have not experienced ourselves. Preaching becomes most effective, however, when we know our parishioners and our world as well. We do not preach in a vacuum. Lives are transformed when we make connections between the biblical text and the hopes and dreams of the body of Christ. Preaching begins with building relationships.
Great preaching is not entertainment but seeks a transformative response. Sometimes we forget that worship is not a "service" for which we pay. Nor is it a spectator sport where we passively watch a performer amuse or please. Because of the influence of the big business of TV evangelism, many Christians come to worship with the idea that they will be entertained. They expect the latest technology gimmicks, professional musicians, and polished preachers who can speak eloquently without notes, are comedians, and don't have even one hair out of place.
So who is the audience, anyway? Is the congregation the audience, merely listening and going home unchanged? Or are they actors in the divine drama of worship? By our preaching, can we create attentive and expectant listeners who not only hear the gospel but actively create meaning from what they have heard? Is the preacher the audience, listening to God and the needs of the congregation? Or is the preacher a catalyst, a channel of the Holy Spirit? Is the preacher called to tell God's story in relation to our human story, then inspire, train, and equip the congregation to be God's people as they go out into the world to make disciples? Can the preacher give up the authority of his/her own conclusions to allow the Holy Spirit to move as it wills, empowering the congregation to think for themselves, make their own connections, and respond to God's call? Is God the audience, joyfully receiving the praise and prayers of both preacher and congregation as we freely offer our very selves through worship? God cheers us on but never forces the heart. Can you feel the gentle nudging? Are you aware of the quiet knocking? Can you hear the still small voice of God encouraging you through worship, "You are a great actor in my drama! Well done, good and faithful servant. I have created you to be a witness to my love. Now go." The Assignment Read Luke 2:1-20. Who are the actors and who is the audience? God? The Emperor Augustus? Joseph and Mary? The innkeeper? The shepherds? The angels? The baby Jesus? The animals? You? How will you preach and receive the story this Advent? May the days ahead be a time of pondering, treasuring, glorifying and praising God, and, yes, ... acting. Blessings, Laurie
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Leading from the Heart is the weekly blog of Rev. Laurie Haller, District Superintendent of the
Comments
Thank you for your message this week. Part of my weekly sermon preparation is an e-mail Bible study I call "Prepared Hearts". I send the week's scripture text out to 40+ parishioners and friends of the church, with questions and comments for reflection, and invite peoples' responses. Though few written responses generally come back, many folks comment on how valued and valuable this tool is as a time of preparation for worship. In addition, prayers for those five you mentioned, and as many others as I can call to mind, is part of the preparation for worship. This often happens in sleepless moments on Saturday night, or in walking through the sanctuary with open hands during the week. Thank you for the reminder.
Since I am currently unemployed I am understanding the need more.
This week I found myself daydreaming during the service. Rejection and dispare is impacting our lives right now... Last week I placed over 30 resumes with companies across the nation. I received 2 call backs and closed both out as options. Rejecting and dispareing week. I come to church because God wants me there to gain support. I want church to energize me, and get me ready for the tough task ahead this week. The point is not that I will be sending another 30 or more resumes out but the fact that all it takes only one phone call and our immediate problems are solved. Praise for what the future holds is more important than looking back. Make church glad not sad!
Food for thought,
Thank you for your response. It is so important for pastors to put themselves in the shoes of their parishioners as they prepare to preach. Worship not only prepares us for the challenges of the week ahead but also offers a community of faith that surrounds us with grace and hope. I pray that you will find a job that is fulfilling makes use of the gifts and graces that God has given you.