Preaching?

Many of you know that I'm involved with our companion diocese relationship with the Diocese of Lui in southern Sudan. I chair the committee that coordinates that relationship. I urge you to visit the two blogs where folks are talking about that relationship and our work in Lui: LuiNotes and LuLuLui.

Not long ago, one of our priests on the Companion Diocese Relationship Committee sent an e-mail to all our diocesan clergy, letting them know that our committee members and missioners are available to offer programs about the companion relationship. We've had a reasonably good response.

One of the rectors asked us to come do a program about the companion diocese relationship on May 31 (Pentecost). I agreed to do the program. Soon thereafter, the rector followed up by asking whether I'd also be willing to preach on that day.

{sound of screeching brakes}

For the last few months, as my priest has used some lay preachers in our parish, I have been feeling something like a "nudge" – thinking I might like to preach occasionally. But I did not and probably never would have asked for an opportunity to preach here in my parish. It's rather funny (or perhaps providential?) that I've been invited to preach in another parish.

I pondered the invitation from this other parish for a couple of weeks, and consulted with my rector to be sure this is OK. [I thought preachers had to be licensed, but apparently that's not required for a one-time preaching gig.] After much pondering, I have now accepted the invitation to preach. I'm scared and excited and humbled and scared. (Did I mention scared??? ;-)

Oh! And no pressure. It's "only" Pentecost ... only one of our High Holy Days.

Fortunately, I already have a "hook" for the sermon, because of the experience I had back in Lui in 2007, worshipping with the people in Lui , where we all came together in one accord. I had an experience of the way that the Spirit can bring us together despite differences of language and culture.

Thank God [literally!] that I have a full month to prepare my first-ever sermon.

In my professional career, I've done a lot of public speaking. I have spoken at many regional, national, and even international conferences. They don't intimidate me. I'm comfortable with public speaking; in fact, I love it! But doing a sermon ... preaching the Gospel ... especially to a parish I don't know .... That is a whole 'nother thing altogether. It is profoundly humbling. Preaching isn't about conveying information; it's letting the Spirit use me as a vessel for what needs to be said.

I know that.

I thought you all might be interested to know this. I will covet your prayers. And I will welcome your counsel. Seriously!

I hope you will use the comments section to talk with me about how you go about preparing sermons, what preaching means to you, and so on. I will be reading your comments gratefully.

Yes, I also have a couple of people here locally who have good resources, are good preachers, and have promised to walk with me through the process. So it's not as if I'm being left to my own devices. In fact, today I met with my rector to ask her what are the mechanisms she uses to preach. My current plan is to pray the readings for a few days ... then look at the scholarship on these readings ... then begin to write the sermon. That general shape makes sense to me.

Still, I would appreciate your insights and counsel. I know many of you are priests and/or preachers. I would love to hear what you have to say to this newbie preacher.