One issue over which every preacher grapples is the starting place of their sermons. Do preachers let the questions, needs and interests of the congregation inform the themes of preaching or do preachers take a prescribed set of biblical readings and then apply them to their congregation?
I started out as a Lectionary preacher. I preached through the three year readings at least twice.
Over time I discovered that I was a better preacher when I let the questions, needs and interests of the congregation inform the themes of my preaching. I understand and have heard the arguments about the value of preaching from a pre-set lectionary. However I just think I am more faithful to the task of preaching when I share theme-based sermons—themes that come from the questions of the congregation.
This Sunday, October 3, we are celebrating the first baptism of a child at Chain of Lakes Church. We are focusing worship this Sunday around people’s questions regarding baptism. For the past two weeks I’ve encouraged folks at Chain of Lakes to submit the questions they have about baptism. “What question do you have about baptism that you have always wanted answered? What is a question about baptism that you’ve felt too shy to ask?”
I’ve received a wonderful and challenging set of questions. In the sermon (and if necessary in an enclosed sheet) I plan on sharing responses to every question.
So let me ask you—the reader of this blog—the same questions. What question do you have about baptism that you have always wanted answered? What is a question about baptism that you’ve felt too shy to ask?”
Please share your questions in the comment section of this blog, or send and E-mail to pastor@colpres.org.
To adequately respond to the questions, I need them by noon on Wednesday, September 29.
Don’t be shy—ask some tough questions!
The above picture was of the first baptism we celebrated at Chain of Lakes that took place on Easter Sunday.
2 comments:
I was baptized at the age of 9 in the Baptist faith. I like the Riverside Church attitue of allowing believer's baptism...infant sprinkling or memebership without it because of their affiliation with three traitions.. Baptist, Reformed thru the United Church of Christ, or without the ceremony through their connection with the Friends or Quakers. It should never be consiered a requirement or something with spiritual power in the cermony. It is an act of following the Command of Jesus and signifies the commitment of the believer... or in the case of infant baptism...the commitment of the church and the family having the child baptized. I really have no questions.. but am concerned when baptism is performed in ways that mislead people. I think the commitment in infant baptism is serious for the parents and the church to educate the child in the faith. When the believer is baptized hopefully the believer has an understanding. Any church member should understand both the symbol and the significance.
Thanks for the comment, Wayne. I'll be addressing these issues in the sermon on Sunday.
Post a Comment