[Tongue-in-cheek alert]
So some of you will remember that since September, I’ve been helping out some friends of mine with worship music at a church plant they are doing. Which means I have spent the past several months back in a more traditional church setting. It’s surprising that I was actually invited to do this, because I let these guys know up front where I stood on certain issues, but they agreed to take me as they found me. They also believe in our desire to see an out-of-the-box missional creative thing happen here, and I believe they’re sincere in wanting to be part of that process.
Not that it’s all been roses. For one thing…well…they read this blog. (Hi, Eugene!)
🙂
I don’t even remember now what specifically I wrote here that sparked it, but a couple of months ago we had a very serious conversation about some things I wrote, talking over our overall connection and whether we could (or should) still walk together. The good thing is that we were able to talk it through honestly on both sides, and come to some mutual understanding, without either side feeling like we had to compromise something important. Overall, it’s been a healthy tension to live in. The differences in our beliefs about church challenge us and keep us sharp.
But now, something’s going to happen. After months of living in this healthy tension, this upcoming Sunday, I’m going to do something I haven’t done in nearly a year…and something I haven’t done in nearly two years outside my own living room.
I’m going to give the sermon.
Seriously? What were they thinking? What am I thinking?
The last time I did this in someone else’s congregation, I was publicly rebuked, tossed out, and blocked from all further communication. I made these guys promise not to do that. They said they wouldn’t. So I guess it’s okay.
But still. The guy who writes this blog is gonna give a sermon in that gathering?
Lord, help us all. 😀
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
View all posts by Wayward Son →
🙂
May God direct you.
I've never given a sermon, just lead lots of smaller studies… but the thought has crossed my mind… if given the chance, now that I feel the way I do about sermons and 'church' traditions… what would I say, and how would I say it.
I think I'd try to keep it short. And then break the gathering into small groups and let them discuss specific points of the topic …. I've never seen it done during the main Sunday morning event, but educators for years have recognized the benefits of group discussion compared to monologue lectures. But that would likely flop at a Sunday morning event… people who were expecting to be able to just sit there and do nothing may not be thrilled about having to participate in the learning time.
Pray it will be a good time for you all.
I hope we get to listen to it!
Wow! Somebody's living dangerously!
May God give you wisdom and the message that they need to hear.
Wow! I know what you mean. I have preached hundreds of sermons in my day, but now it would be very different to go back to the IC and do the sermon thing. I am sure that you will approach it humbly and that your words will be full of grace and truth. I will stay tuned.
Thanks, everyone. 🙂 I actually feel good about this, even though I'm joking about feeling otherwise. I love for people to sit and listen to me talk almost as much as I love to hear myself talk. 🙂 Should be good.