17th
Preaching = Masterclass
Thinking and talking about church lately, I have come to view the sermon part of church in a whole new light. We often view the sermon as the deep and meaty instruction that should stimulate us and provide us with good fodder to chew on throughout the week, until we reach next week’s sermon. But perhaps rather than viewing church as a once a week feast, we should look at it like a ‘Masterchef master-class’.
What I mean by saying that is that church is not so much about what I can get out of it. It is not about me filling up on bible teaching as the spiritual nourishment that will last me a whole week. When we think of it this way, it is no wonder that we feel spiritually hungry by Wednesday. Church should be about teaching each other what we have been learning, giving each other ‘cooking tips’ for when we do our own feeding in quiet times each day. In this way, the preacher becomes a teaching chef, who doesn’t just serve up a large plate of tasty food to fill our stomachs, but who guides us through the whole process of understanding God’s word, so that we can replicate the dish at home.
And what also becomes more important to our faith then, is that we pass on our own advice to younger cooks, as well as working together, that we might learn from one another’s mistakes. We look out for each other, providing for each other’s needs, and rebuking each other if necessary (perhaps when we run out of sugar, or burn the sausages).
So when a sermon at church doesn’t ‘WOW’ you, or leave you with quotes you’ll remember for years to come, don’t despair. After all, it’s only one of the meals that you’ll eat that week.
