What is a Sermon?
I’ve got a question here. It seems lately I have run across several churches whose messages seem a bit repetitive. I am more of a “read through verse by verse” Calvary Chapel kinda gal and I have been for the whole of my Christian life so this redundancy is a bit baffling to me.
What I am seeing is topical studies, which I am fully aware exist and I am comfortable hearing on short term basis, that are based mostly or entirely on what the pastor has been “learning about himself lately”. I had heard about this type of problem once before when someone (I can’t remember who) told me about their pastor who preached on the dangers of pornography almost every Sunday. I know my friend postulated that someone (namely, the pastor) was having an intimate issue with that particular sin. Why else did it come up SO OFTEN?
Well now I am being bombarded with “This is what the Lord has shown me this week” studies and I am wondering if this is what is expected in a church service. Like I said, I’m not used to this so I am kinda out of my element. But is this status quo in most churches? That regardless of what the original topic that was being covered the end result is always the same message? One church for example always comes back to the message of acceptance. IMO this church practices acceptance at all costs, but never mind that. They are doing a fabulous job of pushing that agenda every Sunday in spite of my view that it has been fully covered and digested and adopted in whole!!
I am just beginning to feel like our (I say “our” as a collective “our” as my specific church does not practice this) time in the pews (ya, we don’t have pews either, but whatever) is more of a therapy session for the pastor! Is Sunday morning the time for him to be spilling all his short comings and working through his own personal sins?
I waffle back and forth. I understand the “bear each other’s burdens” thing but when does it cross the line?
So I guess my question is three fold:
1. Can topical studies cover everything that needs to be covered or will there always be gaps because the Bible is being taught by a fallible man?
2. Does your pastor’s teachings include a lot of “This is what the Lord is showing me in my life.” And an over all tone that the pastor is failing in and needs to work harder at being _____ (you fill in the blank).
3. Do you think that it is ok to hear about your pastor’s personal struggles every Sunday? Is this normal and healthy?
Comments
Feb. 9, 2006 – Untitled Comment
Posted by Kg
Good questions, Katie. (You thought I dropped off the face of the earth, didn’t you? Go read my blog…apparently, I DID!)
I do know what you mean. I have experienced the same type of preaching in the past, and I do think there is some degree of both advantage AND disadvantage to it. But, I think ultimately, every Christian is meant to use the Bible as they are directed by the Spirit of God, including pastors and teachers.
Sometimes, that will be verse-by-verse study…sometimes that will mean intense word study…sometimes it will mean topical study…sometimes it will mean season study or celebration…sometime it will mean other things.
I think the best pastors and teachers will ask God what He wants to say and will teach from that stand point. If they use personal anecdotes in their sermons, so bet it – there is bound to be some personal experience sharing or some personal reflection in any of the ways to teach and use scripture.
Feb. 9, 2006 – Untitled Comment
Posted by homekeeper4him
I personally don’t think topical studies always incorporate everything. I used to go to a Calvary Chapel and am quite used to being taught line by line which our current church does too. I think that is one of the reasons we like it so well. I feel like we get a complete, accurate study of the Word by going line by line. Personally, I just like to dig into the Word and find out what it really means and see how I can apply it in my life. I also think that no matter where we are at in our line by line study, the Word speaks to each of us differently at that time. I know I can go through the same chapter of the Bible now and again next year and something totally different will jump out at me or I will see where I am not doing a very good job applying it. I really don’t care for too much from the pastor sharing what God is doing in his personal life up at the pulpit, I think that is better suited for small groups or more personal conversations. I have seen many pastors do this each week and normally it seems after awhile there is a lost of interest during the sermon by many in the congregation. A pastor could have the same issue for weeks.
I do think that it is hard for those of us who are used to a line by line teaching to get used to a topical sermon each week.
Feb. 9, 2006 – I agree with Kg
Posted by FindingGrace777
I believe the pastor is supposed to preach on what the Lord has shown him that week BUT it should be totally hearing from Him by the power of the Holy Spirit to preach TO the congregation NOT to air his dirty laundry. Yes, we are all to be accountable but unless it affects everyone, our sins need to be confessed to our accountability partner(s), our God (first and foremost) and anyone we might have wronged by our sin. This is how we stay healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually (James 5).
Just my 2 cents,
Lianna
Feb. 9, 2006 – Here’s my thoughts
Posted by 4beachbabies
I’m with you, a Calvary Chapelite. My honey and I even met at Calvary’s Bible College. I believe that going verse by verse is the way to go. You will touch on everything, over time. Also I don’t really care about what is going on in the Pastors life, every Sunday. I want application for how I am to apply this in my life, or the life of the church.
I guess there is a time and a place for some topical study. I would say between book studies. If there is something that God has laid on the Pastors heart to share, then he should go for it. I don’t think he should teach topically at the expense of exponential teaching.
Are you going to a Calvary? We are at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, I grew up there.
So that’s my 2 cents.
Blessings,
Andrea
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