It all begins in the pulpit - Part 2 - Is anyone listening?

It all begins in the pulpit – Part 2 – Is anyone listening?

Note:  As I planned this posting, I thought it would be a single "chapter."  After writing the first part, it became evident that I had more to write on this topic than I could expect anyone to read in one "sitting."  Therefore, my reflections on preaching are in six parts.  The following is Part 2.

It is essential that the church, as a whole, place preaching at the center of its life.  Examine closely the various organizations of the 21^st Century and I believe it will be found that preaching is the one function that sets the church apart.

The story is told that, at the time of the American Revolution, a Church of England preacher mounted the pulpit in his clerical robes and preached against the oppressive government of King George and the English Parliament.  As the preacher ended his sermon, he said it was time for the colonies to take a militant stand against British tyranny.  He removed his clerical garb to reveal the uniform of a chaplain in the Colonial Army.

In the middle of the 1960s, as the pulpits in the United States spoke out against the Viet Nam War and racial discrimination, there were many who suggested that it was inappropriate for preachers to address such subjects from the pulpit.  Censorship, in the church or secular society is unacceptable.  Oscar Romero preached against the tyranny of the government in El Salvador in the late 1970s and was silenced only when the bullet of a sniper cut him down as he was officiating at the Lord’s Supper.

Is there such preaching in 2012?

I was recently speaking with a colleague about the number of hours clergy in the Presbyterian Church are expected to “work.”  My colleague said that when discussing the parish ministry with newly ordained clergy he warns them that there is no such thing as a 40-hour workweek.  Of the time the preacher spends in the practice of his or her profession, how much time is devoted to the crafting of the sermon?

There is the old, old story about three preachers who were comparing their sermon preparation practices.  The first preacher states that the sermon is completed by Thursday evening.  This allows time to practice the presentation.  (This is my process.)  The second preacher explains that since it is quiet around the church on Saturday afternoon, this is the time set aside for sermon preparation.  The third preacher, somewhat perplexed, asks: “So what do you all do while the choir is singing the anthem?”

I believe it is essential that the preacher spend at least 10 hours a week in preparation for Sunday’s sermon.  This time includes the actual “keyboard” writing time, research to assure the accuracy of facts and editing/oral practice of the sermon.  This can, and probably should include, additional time in thinking about the sermon while engaged in other activities, such as driving to make hospital/pastoral calls.

Congregations must understand the time necessary for the preparation of quality preaching.  In my opinion, to stand in the pulpit, randomly open the Bible and say the preacher is going to allow the Spirit to put words in her and his mouth is simply being lazy.  Harsh judgment?  Indeed!  However, historical evidence indicates that the great preachers a century ago paid particular attention to preparation.

No matter the theological position, if the church wishes to be an important part of 21^st Century American culture, then preaching must be at the center of the church’s life.  If preaching is central to the church’s life, then preacher and congregation must provide the resources necessary for quality sermons and one of those resources is time.

--Dr. Ron Patton, H.R.