Preach Magazine Issue 3 - Preaching and the Holy Spirit | Page 43
SERIAL
DAVID BRACEWELL
I think it is right to say that preaching
is part and parcel of church leadership,
so not to be avoided. But it is sad that
it feels such a burden to you. The good
news is that it need not be. There are
very few natural Spurgeons around.
Most of us have to work at it!
So, three thoughts:
1. reach as you can, not as you
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can’t. Maybe it is necessary to write
out a full script and read it, to aid
confidence. Reading sermons tends
to be frowned on, but if it is done
well it can be very effective.
2. ork hard on getting a strong,
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clear structure to the sermon. Know
where you want to go, and plot
a clear course. This will give you
confidence and encourage your
hearers.
YOUR OWN SENSE OF
INADEQUACY IS GOOD NEWS.
FEELING WEAK IS THE FIRST
STEP TO BECOMING STRONG!
MANDY BRIGGS
Ministers are expected by their
congregations to be good at
everything – but we are human. There
is no such thing as the perfect priest,
pastor or preacher because everyone
who answers a call from God comes
with both strengths and weaknesses.
You say that you feel you are a poor
preacher. Is that the reality? Do you
have one or two trusted colleagues
and friends who you could confide in?
3. now that your people want
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to hear from you, and are
supportive of you. See your
preaching as a natural extension
of your pastoral care.
So give attention to yourself, your
script and your people.
Finally, be encouraged. Sunday
by Sunday, bad sermons are
preached up and down the land
by preachers who think they know
what they are doing. Your own
sense of inadequacy is good news.
Feeling weak is the first step to
becoming strong!
David Bracewell
David Bracewell was Rector of St Saviour’s Church,
Guildford for more than 20 years. Now officially
retired, he continues to travel the country, training
and encouraging local church leaders. He is
passionate about the role of the local church and
believes the greatest mistake a preacher can make
is to be boring.
Maybe they could come to a service
and offer you some realistic feedback
on how you really come across when
you preach. It may not be as dreadful
as you imagine and may help to boost
your confidence and allay your nerves.
However, there could also be
another way forward. The image
that immediately comes to mind
when I read your letter is of you
stepping up into a large pulpit to
deliver a traditional sermon. What
if the answer to your dilemma lies
WHAT IF THE ANSWER TO
YOUR DILEMMA LIES NOT IN
CHANGING YOU,
BUT IN CHANGING
THE FORMAT OF
THE SERVICE?
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not in changing you, but in changing
the format of the service? What
about using the ‘sermon slot’ for
conversations, cafe-style group
discussions, or creative opportunities
to respond to the Bible?
Mandy Briggs
Mandy Briggs is a Methodist minister based in Bristol.
As Education Officer at the New Room/John Wesley’s
Chapel, she is exploring how to share the Methodist
story with all ages (newroombristol.org.uk). She can
also be found on Twitter: @mandbristol.
Each issue,
our panel will address
a tricky preaching problem. If
you have something you would
value their wisdom on, send it
to [email protected].
Please indicate whether
you would like to
be anonymous.
17/04/2015 15:43:03