To some, this might be rather strange. But to me, I always have this additional pressure whenever I preach in my home church. Yesterday, I preached on The (In)famous Amos: Why Didn't You Negotiate with God (Amos 7:1-9). It was so tiring after the church service that I slept for 3 hours after lunch yesterday. I feel like I barely recovered today, and had another 2 hours of sleep earlier on. I don't normally feel this way whenever I preach elsewhere. Strangely as well, the preparetion for my sermons in my home church is always a great struggle with many sleepless and restless nights.
I guess the more the congregation knows you, the greater is the pressure to preach? Or could it be that the expectation is higher in your home church? Just wondering.
16 comments:
I will suggest that the expectation you place upon yourself is higher in your own church. And you seek to do better than your last sermon.
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your comment. But I guess I don't really place high expectation on myself in my church. In fact, I rarely preach in my church on sunday - yesterday was in fact my first sunday service preaching for me for 2009!
Maybe folks in PJEFC can be rather critical - as in the past, I had received all sorts of feedback. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I would rather not preach. I know preaching is not my strong area.
Perhaps it is a combination of factors....
I pray hard, so that budding NT scholar generous enough to post his sermons here,,,,,not just homolia...
thanks sir!
I always think it is both harder and easier to preach regularly to the same congregation. Harder because you need to be fresh (as they know you better). Easier because you have more opportunities to cover things you want to preach as you do not have to try and squeeze everything into one sermon or spend too much time qualifying yourself.
Harder because they know you ... but also easier because they know you (i.e. your life)
Doesn't answer you question, I know but ... just some thoughts :-)
Hi sceptics,
I will try to post my sermon, but it will not be verbatim - as my typical sermon length is 3,300-3,600 words (that's 30-33 min sermon).
Might just do the outline!
Hi Paul,
Yeah - it's a paradox, isn't it. Well, for PJEFC, I am not a regular preacher - just once or twice a year, or the most, 3 times a year. For some churches, I preach more frequently than that in a year!
generally charismatic crowds listen to 60 minute or more, sermon time.
surprisingly, most non-charismatic accept only 30minute sermon.
why?
I preach at least 60 minute a session.
Hi Sceptics,
Well, I am one of those who happen not to believe in long sermon. I don't think it is an issue with charismatic or non-charismatic audience/preacher. BTW, I am a charismatic through and through too!
In my church, the typical length of a sermon is 45-60min. But for me, it tends to be shorter.
Long or short sermon? It is an issue with Anglican or non-Anglican!
thanks ky for response.
I said that because most of my non-charismatic friends say that, they only prefer 30 minute sermon...
but non-charismatic friends tell me, they prefer 60 min or more sermon.
I think we should look into the matter and try not to explain away...
Pewrng shyang,
I have been to anglican services that have LONG sermon. So I guess it is really nor anglican or non anglican.
Hi Sceptics,
I find your comments quite interesting. For me, I don't think it is a pentecostal/charismatic issue, perhaps that has to do with personal preference? In my church, which has gone through charismatic renewal, we do find 2 camps too - one would prefer 30min sermons, and one would prefer longer sermons.
When I preach, it is always a LONG sermon ... whether a 10 minute homily or a 60 minute teaching session :-)
Hi Paul,
You're right. Paul Long will always preach a LONG sermon, and nothing else!
Do you think if you were called on to preach more frequently, like maybe once a month, it would be less pressurizing? Or will you suffer a nervous breakdown?
Hi Blogpastor,
I really don't know - maybe a breakdown!
Preaching once a month in my church has yet to happen, and I don't think it will ever happen, taking into account the number of pastors and also other leaders who regularly preach.
Post a Comment