Many thanks to all those who made Palm Sunday so special at St Mary’s. (I’ve been ill for a fortnight, so it wasn’t down to me!)
Thanks to Stewart Macfarlane for capturing this pic. A reminder that Holy Week starts with joy.
I think I would add: if it does not matter to you, yourself, then don’t imagine it is likely to matter to anybody else. Find, if you can, the point where your concerns and the concerns of the text cross. Better to say a very little that matters, than a lot which really does not.
Also: read (to yourself, before you start) the whole passage you are going to speak on and read what comes before and after. You do not have to agree with it. You do have to enter into dialogue with it. Supine agreement of Scripture is not (in my opinion) required. Taking it seriously, is.
[…] Dent-de-Lion by admin Posted on November 2, 2012 Six Points for Preachers […]
I’ve noticed how uncomfortable preachers are with the word ‘love’. Discounting the times in is used in a pre-set theological phrase like ‘love of Christ’ as sort of a plug in, I rarely hear it in sermons.
Its a reason to be Episcopalian – if the preacher avoids love, you can always hear it – or see it- or taste it – in the Eucharist.
// UPDATED – this post now visible in Internet Explorer This is the text that I was using, based on the story of Isaac being found a wife in the second part of Genesis 24: We are going back to the Old Testament soap opera this morning. I want to talk about the story…
I once got into a certain amount of trouble over a satirical Scottish Episcopal website. It was a surprise to those who were displeased with me to find that it was nothing to do with me at all. However, along with those who had been in TISEC, I did know who was behind it and…
Eleven years ago today I became a Deacon. It was a wonderful day. I remember having to buy a suit. Once a deacon, always a deacon and it is still a ministry that I feel called to daily. Here is what the ordinal says: The Church is the People of God, the Body of Christ…
Just back in from an evening in the synod hall with 20 members of the congregation. This was prompted by my being told a while ago that it would be good for people to have a chance to get to know me. I’m not sure what that means. After all, I’m such an easy person…
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