Friends,
There’s something I want you to know and respond to and it is this: Preaching is not for sissies. Here’s what I mean. Most preachers work hard on their sermons and there’s no shortage of good material to make sermons relevant and meaningful. Notice I didn’t use the word “memorable.” I’m not so egotistical to think you are hanging on every word that flows so eloquently from my lips! Of Course some of you make it real easy on me by saying what you love most about Sunday morning is the music or the children’s time message. But I do work hard on my messages and part of the process is to say what must be said in a way that connects.
Most scripture passages have great potential for preaching. They make solid moral and life application points. It is the preacher’s job to tell you what you need to “know” about the text and what you are supposed to “do” about the text. Here’s where it gets tricky. I have to say all that in a way you can hear it and feel moved to act. My task is to speak the hopeful word with confidence and the challenging word with tact so a diverse congregation can hear it. Each of you is looking for something in the message that resonates with your thoughts, beliefs, perspectives and needs. By the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit that happens.
But this is why I say preaching is not for sissies. Because my job isn’t to please everyone, but to please God and to be true to the gospel of Christ. My job is to guide and equip the church in the way it needs to go. Which means I first have to be a good listener. I need listen to God’s “voice’ in the scriptures and I need to listen to you in the congregation so I can speak what I hear and not just what I want to say.
Given that what is it that you want me (and Chris) as your preachers to hear?
What do we need to know about you so we preach a word into your life on Sunday mornings?
Because in the end preaching is a “team sport.” We preachers need you to help us listen as well as talk.
Journeying through the Message with you,
Dale
Several people have given sermons lately who have talked about their life experiences and their feelings about relationships with God. Pastor Chris touched briefly on it last week. I am in a situation right now when I often feel “mad at God”. It doesn’t feel right to even say that, let alone feel it! The traditional Methodist Church of 50 years ago would be aghast to hear me say such a thing! Thank you for letting it be ok. Some day I would like to talk to you more about that one-on-one, but in the meantime I do listen and usually hear something that helps through another difficult week.
The situation I’m referring to is trying to be the best supportive daughter I can be to my 99+ year old mother who is now completely blind and not hearing so well, either. She’s struggling and it makes me “mad at God”!
Thanks for being our pastors! We are so blessed to gave both you and Pastor Chris.
Linda, Your’e in a difficult season of life for sure and it’s hard to watch you mother hurt. Getting old isn’t for sissies either! I’m glad you can let your feelings out. God receives them and you with love and offers strength in return. We’re with you on this journey! Pastor Dale
Dear Pastor Dale and Chris.
You have spoken to me so often that I can’t objectively comment on this. I do keep returning to the idea of “What would Jesus Do” if living during these troubling times. He loved all, accepted all, and healed all. Therefore, I believe that you are doing a wonderful job in hitting my focal points. Thank you for being so accepting of everyone regardless of their station in life. I have been impressed with your focus on the poor, LGBT, and love of all. THAT IS WHAT JESUS WOULD DO!!
Joan, Well said. With you I believe Jesus’ words and actions should be our focus. He was about including all people in God’s family. As we listen to his Spirit we find the strength and courage to do that!
Pastor Dale
Dear Pastor Dale, Dear Pastor Chris,
As one voice among many I realize we are all “somewhere” in our individual walk of faith. Some being long established, some new and some in between.
I think being in the ministry as a Disciple of Christ is probably one of the most challenging and difficult “callings” a man or woman can have.
With a broad based Congregation, I think it would be impossible to hit everyone where their needs are at any given moment as our Spiritual needs change.
It’s also up to us with repete attendance and Church involvement and Bible study to grow. You plant the seeds. We need to water and fertilize them. And we need to pray and listen.
As a member of AA for the past several years there is a saying I repeatedly hear, “take what you need ( at that moment ) and leave the rest.”
In my short time with you, 5-6 months, I have heard some great messages from you both. Last Sunday struck me right where I was at the time and it has resonated with me all week. Most of your sermons do.
Sometimes it’s the message , sometimes it’s the music sometimes it’s the fellowship.
Having been raised in what I now refer to as “the lunatic fringe of Christianity”, I am not into a regular diet of fire and brimstone or hell and damnation.
It’s taken awhile (a long while) to discover Love and Grace. Having said that I think it’s important , for me, to be reminded occasionally of the sinful nature under which I was born and then reassured of Christ’s answer to that.
And, yes, science and my Christian beliefs do collide at times and does rattle me occasionally.
You guys do a phenomenal job!
It’s a great Congregation.
Do not get discouraged.
Preach what God lays on your heart.
I love you guys, I love the church!
Doug DeVries
Doug, You are an encourager! I love the wisdom of AA. The Serenity Prayer is a great reminder of how we don’t have to (can’t) control it all. Grace will and does happen. Ours is to cooperate with it!
Pastor Dale
Pastors Chris and Dale,
First, I would like to say thank you for asking these courageous and thought provoking questions. I don’t believe any pastor I’ve known has asked these questions. It tells me our spirituality is most definitely a two way street. We all have responsibilities in this walk.
You both give me the spiritual guidance I’m seeking and I have several favorite messages from each of you. I learn from your lessons and so please continue to show us the way and give us challenges. I am different from hearing your words and setting goals and I feel good about this growth. Since we never “finish” being a Christian, we must continue to learn. Help us do more than we think we can do. Continue to reach our minds and hearts with your ideas, insights and possibility thinking that encourages us to walk closer to the Lord, even when it’s tough going and things seem impossible. I know you will know what to preach. And I hope you know we are with you. Thank you.
Sue, Thanks for the feedback. We are on the journey together. As the old Methodists said we are “going on to perfection.” And together, in Christ, we find the “bread” we need!
Pastor Dale
I am grateful for both our pastors and how hard you both try. I see your efforts. We are the luckiest Methodist church in Michigan. Both our pastors are truly fabulous.
Please don’t push yourselves too hard. Don’t feel you need to answer my response. You are far too busy as it is
Life has changed significantly for me, and I am becoming aware of how valuable were my 15 years as a part of the CUMC-TC church family. Thank you for the gifts of spiritual guidance from you Pastors, and soooo many others. What a blessing you have been!
Kathy, thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate you too and the work you have done with our children’s ministry. We are blessed!
Pastor Dale