I preached today.
Pastor Aaron left early to head down south for a class he is taking and he asked me a month or so ago if I could fill in.
I said yes and I am still processing the experience.
The process of prayer and study and writing the sermon was quite a good one. It allowed me to come to new insights, to grow, to be stretched as I thought about the text – Luke 9 : 23 – 26 – and about how to share what I felt I was hearing and learning to a congregation who is not me.
And yet, I don’t know if I would preach again. I am just not sure it is worth the time investment. I am not sure that my preaching affected any change, not sure if it drew anyone closer to the Lord, not sure if preaching in general is worth the effort.
This is something I am wrestling with so I am not writing off preaching. I just don’t know that placing the Sunday morning sermon as the cornerstone of church discipleship is wise or helpful.
Again, I am processing aloud here so don’t take offense if you regularly deliver the message Sunday mornings.
But as I read the Bible I see Peter preaching to large crowds but then those crowds gathering in homes (presumably in small groups) to discuss and pray and worship and hold one another accountable, and to confess to one another and to meet one another’s needs.
I can envision discipleship taking place in that setting.
I am having a hard time envisioning discipleship taking place through a weekly sermon.
The best way to grow in Christ is not in a classroom and it’s not by listening to another sermon. The best way is as Jesus taught, to follow him, and friends, we must surely know that Jesus is on the move.
But again, I am working through this thought process and because of that would love to hear what others are thinking, are observing in their own church setting or finding in scripture.
Oh, and if you’d like to see it, here is a link for you to take a look at my sermon.
Cobbled Together 