One of the more challenging situations that a pastor faces each week is delivering the message. After hours of preparation, going over each and every paragraph again and again, it's now time to deliver. And what comes out - and how it comes out, makes all of the difference in the world.My preaching professor at Seminary once told me something that has stuck with me for years. And here's what he said:
No matter how good your message is going, or no matter how poor your message is going, never end your message by saying to your audience, "But then again, what do I know?"
The Fear of such a statement:
It erodes your authority over your audience
The Truth of such a statement:
Sometimes you feel like the message is more for you than anybody else in your audience that day. Humble pie.
Oh yes, there are more than a few Sundays that I feel underqualified as the messenger with the content of the message. But to be real honest with you, I believe, now more than ever, that this honesty with your listener is more than just "okay", but I would suggest,"refreshing." In fact, I believe that there are times in which the audience must know that I, too, struggle with what the Bible is calling for us to be or become. I've been told that many people leave churches because they feel more preached "at" each Sunday then understood. That's really too bad. Because the real truth is this: "Sometimes we really don't know what we are talking about." It's a mystery. It's a challenge. And like every other human in the audience, we very much need God's grace to help us every step of the way.
Okay...the cookie is out of the jar. Much on it a bit!
