Preaching

Last Sunday I did something that I have been doing for a while. I stood before a congregation and preached. I invited listeners to hear a message that I felt compelled by the Spirit to tell. Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ is a passion. Every time I stand before the people in a worship context I am amazed at the mystery (or humor) of God. I would have never considered myself, a shy and unsocial teenager, as one who finds his purpose for existence by speaking life-changing truths on a weekly basis. I am always trying to grow in the gift of preaching by reading text books, subscribing to journals, and listening to preachers. I have also never been afraid to experiment with new ways of preaching (with or without notes, using images, first-person, etc). My understanding of preaching is grounded in the concept of a God who speaks life into existence. Life begins with “God said . . .” Bishop Will Willimon says, “This is the way God works, creating something out of nothing, a people out of nobodies, free women and men out of slaves, all on the basis of nothing but words.” My hope every time I stand to speak on behalf of the God of Jesus Christ is that my words may be anointed by the Spirit to bring life into death, hope into hopelessness, love into hate, and forgiveness into brokenness.