We Don't Create the Dawn, We Announce It!
How do we prepare to engage the skillful art of preaching in the face of escalating socio-political upheaval in America and in the world? What are we to say of the coming of Christ when the subtle war of spiritual oppression attempts to invade church and society? How can we embrace a language of inclusivity while maintaining the integrity of our faith?
What is the preacher to do when he knows that a proposition, three points and a poem will no longer sustain people whose souls cry out for survival? Now I understand John Wesley's hunger to preach an unadulterated gospel of truth. Now I understand Peter Bohler's instructions to Wesley to "preach faith until you have it and when you have it preach faith."
Every season in the liturgical cycle has a distinctive emphasis. We concretely separate and celebrate each season for intentional understanding and practice. However, there is an inseparable reality in the spiritual cycles of life. It's always Pentecost in the presence of God's spirit. God is always doing extraordinary things in Ordinary times. It's always Advent, and the dawning of each new day of life marks an Epiphany. "God is good all the time and all the time, God is good."
The waiting and anticipating of "the Holy" marks the Advent season. We are waiting for the existential reality of God's presence in our lives. We search to fi nd that God is present and that he too is waiting. Advent reminds the believer of an interdependence between God and humankind that has existed throughout salvation history.
God waits for his people and the people wait for the Messiah; even when the Messiah is present yet unknown. Preaching during Advent brings God to the people and the people to God. Advent preaching should be personal, relevant, contextual, contemporary and full of the Holy Spirit. The preacher's fi rst step in engaging preparation is to recognize herself as a conduit or liaison between God and the people. Fred Craddock, in Preaching, describes preaching as a life of study and a life of listening. God's word is studied via the Bible. The people are studied in light of current events and situations.
The preacher listens to both sides of the relationship and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, determines the state of the relationship. This art and work enables the called servant of God to make claims of the gospel that bring guidance and hope. Any preaching that does not claim that "there is a word from the Lord" is not the gospel.
Rick Warren in Growing a Healthy Church states that churches will grow if they are healthy and churches will be healthy if they hear from God. The preacher hears the message during preparation by emptying herself through prayer and study and by waiting on God for insight. Kynosis or self-emptying involves getting still and waiting on God. I turn off the distractions of the world and thank God for the call to preach. I ask the Spirit to bless the preparation so that God is glorifi ed and that hearers are edified.
Then I study the selected text in light of the sitz-im-leben or circumstance in life of the hearer(s). God's presence in preparation provides assurance of his expected presence in the delivery.
In the spirit of Advent, the people are waiting for God and God is waiting for the people. "But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim to him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' (Romans 10:14,15)"
Bernice Kirkland is Associate Pastor of First Farragut UMC
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The Clergy Connection is a communication produced and written by the Clergy of Holston Conference for the purposes of deepening relationships, encouraging spiritual growth, increasing awareness of challenging opportunities, imparting useful information, stimulating theological exploration, providing a forum for honest expression and sharing the joys of creative ministries.
The Clergy Connection exists to call clergy into deeper covenant with God through Christ and to call clergy to live in covenant with each other.
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