December 18th of this year (2023) will be the 45th anniversary of my ordination. Before that during my second year of seminary I was an Intern Chaplain at St. Anselm’s Chapel at the University of Vermont in Burlington. There is where my began to learn the craft of preaching. After two weeks of writing and reading my sermon I received some wise advice from my supervisor, The Rev. Addison Hall. He told to ditch the script and preach with only a few notes to help guide.
This form is better suited to my personality (ENFJ). In the past five or so years I have prepared these notes on PowerPoint, complete with pictures, charts, and Questions of the Week. The congregation follows the thread of the sermon. Plus they have a take home for further meditation.
I call my style conversational. I rarely if ever use a pulpit. Occasionally, someone may even be so engaged as to literally join the conversation. Which I not only take in stride but appreciate.
As an Episcopalian I almost always choose to preach from the lessons appointed for the day by the lectionary. Most usually I focus on the Gospel, but not exclusively. Rarely I have preached a sermon series.
I learned a good lesson years ago. One of my parishioners attended a tent revival where he “got saved.” Two weeks later he came to me after worship and said, “Isn’t the Lord wonderful? The same time I got saved you started to preach better!” As preachers we need to remember that regardless of what we think we are sharing communication is a two way process. Often what strikes the heart of someone was perhaps triggered by the message but amplified by the Holy Spirit.
Carl Bart is quoted s saying “We should preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” It is important to neither overlook nor overemphasize the news of the day. Christians, it is said should be in but not of the world. It can be too easy to be either over critical or over co-opted. It may also be said we should neither be too shy of speaking out a Christian perspective, nor so bold that no one cares to listen.
It is very important for some who is called upon to preach on a regular basis to have there own spiritual and emotional life in good balance. Most will rely on a Spiritual Director, counselor, trusted friend, and or an accountability group for this purpose. We have seen when this is not taken seriously the consequences can be disastrous. Yes, clergy are susceptible to sexual abuse, alcoholism and other forms of acting out.
On a more positive note, we preachers sometime are rewarded with the knowledge that a sermon has significantly aided someone’s life. “Father, it seems you were taking directly to me today!” is welcome praise. Even a comment like, “Today’s sermon gave me a lot to think about.” is a positive response.
Sometimes the “well runs dry.” With so much on the internet we have some resources that didn’t used to be available. For example, this post for one. There is no crime in reading what others have said, or watching YouTubes of other preachers. One would not want to plagiarize
However, it is fine to make the ideas fit your own experience and to give credit where it is due.
On this section of the website you will see my PowerPoint outlines and get the basic idea of my sermons. Unfortunately you will not be able to watch my conversations. I trust the Lord will be in the mix and provide some spiritual edification.