Creativity in Preaching ( The Craft of Preaching Series)

THE CRAFT OF

PREACHING

CREATIVITY

J. GRANT HOWARD

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING S u n d a y m o r n i n g w o r s h i p is o f t e n t h e last place w e l o o k for o r w a n t c r e a t i v i t y , a n d t h e s e r m o n l e a s t of all. E v e n t h o s e w h o c o n s i d e r t h e m s e l v e s " c r e a t i v e " m a y not k n o w h o w t o u s e t h e i r imagination in purposeful a n d appropriate w a y s in preaching. B u t t h e r e is n o s i n g l e b e s t w a y t o p r e a c h . A n d that is w h a t G r a n t H o w a r d ' s b o o k , Creativity in Preaching, is a b o u t . T h e r e are d i f f e r e n t a n d i n t e r e s t i n g m e a n s to p r e s e n t t h e m e s s a g e of t h e g o s p e l w i t h o u t p e r v e r t i n g the t r u t h o r a f f r o n t i n g i t s R e v e a l e r . I m a g i n e a n i n t e r v i e w a b o u t t h e spirit w o r l d w i t h D i r k the D e m o n . Consider the voice of a " c o n s c i e n c e " coming through t h e P . A . s y s t e m . H o w a b o u t a q u e s t i o n in t h i s w e e k ' s b u l l e t i n that p r i m e s p e o p l e for next w e e k ' s s e r m o n ? T h e s e are just a f e w e x a m p l e s of the various m e a n s preachers can use to illuminate a s e r m o n text a n d a p p l y G o d ' s W o r d to t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n ' s lifesetting and workaday world. S o m e p r e a c h e r s n e e d to u n d e r s t a n d the w h y s of creativity. O t h e r s n e e d ideas to get their creative juices flowing without b e i n g c l e v e r , c u t e , o r w e i r d . G r a n t H o w a r d m e e t s b o t h n e e d s in this fascinating a n d helpful book. Better preaching m a k e s better churches. Creative preaching makes motivated congregations. Can you imagine . . . ? H o w about . . . ? Consider what would h a p p e n if . . . s e r m o n s really w e r e t h e h i g h l i g h t o n S u n d a y morning. D r . J . G r a n t H o w a r d is P r o f e s s o r o f P a s t o r a l T h e o l o g y at W e s t e r n B a p t i s t S e m i n a r y in P o r t l a n d , O r e g o n . H e is a graduate of the University of Arizona, Wheaton College, and D a l l a s T h e o l o g i c a l S e m i n a r y . H e h a s s e r v e d a s a p a s t o r a n d is t h e a u t h o r o f Knowing God's Will—And Doing It!, The Trauma of Transparency, a n d Balancing Life's Demands.

jERVaN

PUBllCSTION

BL888

MINISTRY RESOURCES LIBRARY HOMILET1CS ISBN 0-310-26251-8

Creativity in Preaching

B o o k s in this s e r i e s Introducing Humor Creativity

the

in

Sermon

Preaching in

Preaching

THE CRAFT OF PREACHING SERIES

Creativity in Preaching J. GRANT HOWARD

Zondervan Publishing House • Grand Rapids, Ml

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING Copyright © 1987 by J . Grant Howard MINISTRY RESOURCES LIBRARY is an imprint of Zondervan

Publishing

House, 1415 Lake Drive, S . E . , Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Howard, J . Grant. Creativity in preaching. (The Craft of preaching series) Bibliography: p. 1. Preaching. I. Title. II. Series. BV4211.2.H69 1987 251 87-7907 ISBN 0-310-26251-8

The artwork on pages 104 and 106 is from the book The Trauma of Transparency by J . Grant Howard, copyright © 1979, and is used by permission of Multnomah Press. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: N E W INTERNATIONAL VERSION (North American Edition). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. All rights reserved. N o part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. Edited by Joseph Comanda Designed by Louise Bauer Printed in the United States of America 87

88

89

90

91

92 / C H / 10 9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

To Howard My

Hendricks mentor

and a powerful for creative

model preaching

Contents PREFACE

9

1. T H E C O M P O N E N T S O F P R E A C H I N G

11

2. C R E A T I V I T Y

19

3. C R E A T I V E L Y R E - C R E A T I N G T H E LIFESETTING OF THE TEXT

31

4. C R E A T I V E L Y R E L A T I N G T O T H E LIFESETTING OF THE CONGREGATION 5. C R E A T I V E L Y U S I N G T H E LIFE-SETTING

49 OF

THE PREACHER 6. C R E A T I V E A U D I O A N D P R I N T M E D I A PREACHING

61 IN 77

7. C R E A T I V E U S E O F V I S U A L A I D S I N PREACHING

95

EPILOGUE

109

NOTES

HO

Preface I l o v e t o p r e a c h , a n d I l o v e to e x p e r i m e n t . P u t t h e s e t w o things

together

following

pages

and

you

have

are designed

a creative to i n c r e a s e

preacher. your

love

The for

p r e a c h i n g a n d to s t i m u l a t e y o u r w i l l i n g n e s s t o e x p e r i m e n t . M y t h a n k s to C h a r l o t t e L a w r e n c e for h e r e x p e r t w o r k on the computer, and to Patty Wisner, Elizabeth Tucker, and R u t h K o r c h f o r their h e l p w i t h t h e g r a p h i c s . /. Grant

9

Howard

1 The Components of Preaching

There

preaching:

a r e f o u r e s s e n t i a l e l e m e n t s in t h e text, the c o n g r e g a t i o n ^ t h e _ p r e a c h e r ^ a n d t h e act o f p r e a c h i n g . R e m o v e a n y o n e o f t h e s e f o u r a n d y o u n o l o n g e r h a v e the real t h i n g . T h e y c o n s t i t u t e t h e i r r e d u c i b l e m i n i m u m r e q u i r e m e n t s if p r e a c h i n g is to t a k e p l a c e . W e i d e n t i f y t h e m n o w for t w o r e a s o n s . First, t h e y a r e f o u n d a t i o n a l f o r a n y s t u d y of preaching. E v e n though they are well k n o w n , w e dare not t a k e t h e m f o r g r a n t e d . Familiarity b r e e d s c o m p l a c e n c y , s o right at t h e o u t s e t w e r e c o n f i r m o u r c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e basics. S e c o n d , this is a b o o k o n creative p r e a c h i n g , n o t o n preaching per se. But creative preaching does not add to nor s u b t r a c t f r o m t h e s e f o u r f o u n d a t i o n a l f a c t o r s ; i n s t e a d it s e e k s to utilize e a c h o n e in l e g i t i m a t e , b u t n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s . S o a g a i n at t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g w e p l e d g e to h a n d l e t h e b a s i c s w i t h c a r e . . . a n d . . . w i t h creativity. W e c a n visualize t h e b a s i c s in t h e w a y s h o w n in figure 1.1. T h e t a s k is t o link t h e text a n d t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n t o g e t h e r . T h a t h a p p e n s w h e n t h e p r e a c h e r e n g a g e s in t h e s i g n i f i c a n t , f a s c i n a t i n g w o r k o f p r e a c h i n g . It is h i s p r i v i l e g e 11

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING to m e r g e t h e t r u t h of t h e text w i t h t h e lives o f h i s p e o p l e . W h y d o w e i n c l u d e b o t h t h e p r e a c h e r a n d h i s p r e a c h i n g in this c e n t e r s e g m e n t b r i d g i n g t h e g a p b e t w e e n text a n d c o n g r e g a t i o n ? B e c a u s e c o m m u n i c a t i o n of t h e W o r d o f G o d i n v o l v e s a person—the preacher—and a process—preaching.

PREACHER TEXT

CONGREGATION PREACHING Figure 1.1

L e t ' s f a c e it, t h e r e a r e p r e a c h e r s w h o d o p o o r l y o n t h e process, i.e., preachers w h o can't preach. By the same token, t h e r e i s p r e a c h i n g t h a t d o e s j g o o j r l y o n the_ p e r s o n a l , i . e , preachingJh^t_doesn^t relate. Effective p r e a c h i n g — l i s t e n u p all y o u p u b l i c p u r v e y o r s o f p r o f o u n d p r i n c i p l e s — t a k e s p l a c e w h e n t h e truth of t h e text w o r k s its w a y i n t o t h e p r e a c h e r , r o a m i n g t h r o u g h t h e c o r r i d o r s of h i s m i n d a n d h e a r t , a n d t h e n like a s p r i n g r u n - o f f a f t e r a w i n t e r o f d e e p s n o w , it b u r s t s o v e r t h e s p i l l w a y o f h i s o w n life a n d p l u n g e s d o w n i n t o t h e m i n d s a n d h e a r t s of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e t h i r s t y d r i n k . T h e tired a r e r e f r e s h e d . T h e dirty b a t h e . T h e n , as t h e r u s h i i i g - w a t e r s s l a w d o w n t h e y b e g i n to, f o r m placid p o o l s a l o n g t h e b a n k s of o n e ' s life; m i r r o r l i k e s u r f a c e s Tfia'f p e o p l e c a n c o n t i n u e to g a z e i n t o , r e f l e c t i n g t h e i r n e e d s , p r o p o s i n g God's solutions. r

THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL T h e Bible clearly a n d c o n s i s t e n t l y r e c o g n i z e s all f o u r o f t h e s e i n g r e d i e n t s in p r e a c h i n g . P a u l , for e x a m p l e , i d e n t i f i e s t h e m f o r his y o u n g p r e a c h i n g p r o t e g e , T i m o t h y , a s w e s e e in f i g u r e 1.2. First, a w o r d f o r t h e preacher. P l a g u e d w i t h t h e p r e s e n c e of false t e a c h e r s (2 T i m . 3 : 1 3 ; 4 : 3 - 4 ) t h e p r e a c h e r is e x h o r t e d to h a n g o n to t h e t r u t h s h e h a s l e a r n e d a n d is c o n v i n c e d of. 12

The Components of Preaching T w o r e a s o n s for s u c h t e n a c i t y a r e o f f e r e d . Y o u k n o w w h o shared them with y o u — y o u r mother and your grandmother (1:5); a n d y o u k n o w w h a t t h e y h a v e d o n e f o r y o u — g i v e n y o u w i s d o m t h a t led to y o u r s a l v a t i o n . S o , as o t h e r s h a v e c h a n n e l e d this life-giving t r u t h to y o u , r e a f f i r m y o u r c o m m i t m e n t to t h e s a m e t a s k . B e a p r e a c h e r w h o m a i n t a i n s a firm grip o n t h e t r u t h , a n d vice v e r s a . 2 Timothy 3:14 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of." PREACHER TEXT

CONGREGATION

PREACHING 2 Timothy

3:16

"All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

2 Timothy

4:2

2 Timothy

"Preach the Word; . . . correct, rebuke and encourage— with great patience and careful instruction."

3:17

" . . . so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good w o r k . "

Figure 1.2 N e x t , a w o r d a b o u t t h e text.

It is c o n v e y e d

through

h u m a n c h a n n e l s , b u t it h a s a' d i v i n e s o u r c e . E v e r y w o r d of S c r i p t u r e is s p o n s o r e d b y G o d a n d t h u s p o s s e s s e s u n r i v a l e d c r e d e n t i a l s f o r t e a c h i n g , r e b u k i n g , c o r r e c t i n g a n d t r a i n i n g in righteousness. T h e s e last f o u r f a c t o r s a r e n o t o n l y n o u n s d e s c r i b i n g t h e text o f i n s p i r e d S c r i p t u r e , b u t a r e a l s o p o t e n t i a l v e r b s r e a d y to b e e m p l o y e d in t h e act o f p r e a c h i n g (cf. 2 T i m . 4 : 2 ) . 13

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING In 2 T i m o t h y 3 : 1 7 w e s k i p o v e r t h e b r i d g e of p r e a c h i n g a n d g o directly to t h e congregation. W h e r e t h e r e is a p r e a c h e r c o m m u n i c a t i n g t h e t e x t , t h e r e will b e p e o p l e c o n f o r m i n g to t h e t e x t — a c o n g r e g a t i o n p o p u l a t e d w i t h m e n a n d w o m e n of G o d " t h o r o u g h l y equipped for every good w o r k . " T h e w o r d s of t h e text a r e d e s i g n e d to t r a n s f o r m the lives of t h e people. Finally, t h e act of preaching. A s o l e m n c h a r g e in v e r s e 2 tells T i m o t h y w h a t h e is to d o : P r e a c h t h e W o r d . F o u r b r i s k i m p e r a t i v e s f o l l o w in v e r s e 2 e x p l a i n i n g h o w to g o a b o u t it. B e o n s t a n d b y , r e a d y to p r o c l a i m a n y t i m e , a n y w h e r e . B e willing to c o r r e c t , r e b u k e a n d e n c o u r a g e . P r e a c h i n g is n o t c o m p o s e d of h e s i t a n t , h a c k n e y e d s u g g e s t i o n s ; it is b o l d , c a p t i v a t i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n that f o r c e f u l l y i n j e c t s truth i n t o life. M o d i f y i n g t h e s e i m p e r a t i v e s is t h e q u a l i f y i n g p h r a s e " w i t h g r e a t p a t i e n c e a n d careful i n s t r u c t i o n . " T h a t is b e c a u s e the preacher can lose patience with the erring brother w h o n e e d s r e p r o o f . H e m a y also o m i t t h e r e a s o n e d e x p l a n a t i o n f r o m his fiery, i m p a s s i o n e d e x h o r t a t i o n . There we have it—text, congregation, preacher, and p r e a c h i n g — s u c c i n c t l y p r e s e n t e d a n d skillfully i n t e g r a t e d in P a u l ' s w o r d s to T i m o t h y . A u t o b i o g r a p h i c a l l y , Paul refers to t h e s e v e r y s a m e preaching c o m p o n e n t s w h e n h e reminds the Thessalonians of t h e e v a n g e l i s t i c m i n i s t r y h e a n d h i s t e a m h a d a m o n g them. . . . because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake (1 Thess. 1:5). W e c a n o r i e n t h i s w o r d s a r o u n d o u r m o d e l in t h e f a s h i o n s h o w n in f i g u r e 1.3. T h e text is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h o n e c r i s p t e r m — g o s p e l — t h e g o o d n e w s . T h e g o s p e l came to t h e m t h r o u g h t h e act of preaching w h i c h i n v o l v e d t h e u s e of w o r d s , b u t n o t s i m p l y with words. T h e spoken words were uttered with such p o w e r a n d c o n v i c t i o n w i t h i n e a c h of t h e p r e a c h e r s t h a t it 14

The Components of Preaching c o u l d o n l y h a v e b e e n g e n e r a t e d b y t h e H o l y Spirit. W o r d s o n l y c o u l d b e classified a s m o n o p h o n i e c o m m u n i c a t i o n . W o r d s w i t h H o l y Spirit p o w e r a n d c o n v i c t i o n w o u l d a d d a spiritual s t e r e o p h o n i c d e p t h a n d d i m e n s i o n t o t h e act of p r e a c h i n g . It w a s n ' t sterile a u d i o . It w a s a u d i b l e s t e r e o . "our gospel" " h o w we lived" PREACHER TEXT PREACHING "gospel"

"came" "not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction"

CONGREGATION

"to you" "You know how we lived among you for your s a k e . "

Figure 1.3 N o t e h o w t h e preachers a r e i n t e g r a t e d i n t o t h i s p r o c e s s . It is our g o s p e l , relating t h e p r e a c h e r s to t h e text. " Y o u k n o w h o w w e l i v e d a m o n g y o u for y o u r s a k e " — c a l l i n g a t t e n t i o n to an intimate relationship b e t w e e n the preachers and the c o n g r e g a t i o n . It is o b v i o u s e a c h p r o c l a i m e r h a d a t r u t h oriented relationship with the people. In 1 T h e s s a l o n i a n s 2 : 8 t h e a p o s t l e c o r r o b o r a t e s personalized preaching style.

this

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. T h e " g o s p e l o f G o d " is t h e i r text, h i g h l i g h t i n g b o t h its s o u r c e a n d its c o n t e n t . In 1:5 it w a s " o u r g o s p e l , " e m p h a s i z 15

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING i n g t h e p r e a c h e r s ' p e r s o n a l a s s i m i l a t i o n of t h e g o o d n e w s . " T o s h a r e " d e s c r i b e s t h e act of p r e a c h i n g ; i n d i c a t i n g a w a r m , p e r s o n a l t o u c h . N o w , d o n ' t m i s s t h e fact that t h e r e s t o f t h e verse elaborates the relationship b e t w e e n the itinerate evangelists a n d t h e p e o p l e i n T h e s s a l o n i c a . It w a s a n a f f e c t i o n a t e o n e , s o m u c h s o that t h e p r e a c h e r s c o u l d n ' t b e c o n t e n t s i m p l y to d i s t r i b u t e biblical d a t a . T h e y g a v e their o w n lives a s w e l l , m e a n i n g their total p e r s o n a l i t i e s w e r e i n v o l v e d in t r a n s m i t t i n g t h e t r u t h . T h i s is holistic p r e a c h i n g . P r e a c h i n g is n o t r u n n i n g t r u t h t h r o u g h a p i p e t o a t a n k ; it is filtering t r u t h through a person to a person. TESTING THE

PRINCIPLE

B e f o r e w e f i n i s h this c h a p t e r , I w a n t y o u t o try u s i n g this p r i n c i p l e o n y o u r o w n . T h e m o d e l in f i g u r e 1.4 c o n t a i n s a p a s s a g e of S c r i p t u r e . R e l a t e e a c h p a r t of t h e biblical text to t h e a p p r o p r i a t e p a r t of t h e m o d e l . T h e f o l l o w i n g d i s c u s s i o n c o n t a i n s s o m e q u e s t i o n s to g u i d e y o u . In 5:18 what would "all this" relate to on the model? Where would " w h o reconciled us to himself through Christ" fit? Where would you put "gave us the ministry of reconciliation"? Is there any particular significance to the use of the word "minister"? In 5:19 where would you assign the first part of the verse, "that God was . . . against t h e m ? " Is " h e has committed to us the message of reconciliation" exactly parallel to the idea that he "gave us the ministry of reconciliation" in 5:18? What will you do with the concept of "ambassadors" in 5:20? Where does "making his appeal through u s " go? What is the significance of " w e implore you"? Finally, to which part of the model would you relate 5:21? 16

The Components of Preaching

Figure 1.4 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

PREACHER TEXT

CONGREGATION PREACHING

17

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING T h e r e a r e a n u m b e r of w a y s y o u c o u l d a n s w e r t h e s e questions. For s o m e suggestions from the author, consult the endnote. 1

SUMMARY W e c a n s u m m a r i z e this c h a p t e r w i t h t h r e e brief s t a t e m e n t s . First, all f o u r of t h e c o m p o n e n t s of p r e a c h i n g a r e important. T h e B i b l e d o e s n ' t r a n k t h e m in a n y p a r t i c u l a r o r d e r . S e c o n d , e a c h of t h e s e p r e a c h i n g c o m p o n e n t s is different. T h o s e w h o p r e a c h m u s t s t r i v e to m a s t e r f o u r u n i q u e a r e a s . T h i r d , all p r e a c h e r s m u s t strive to k e e p t h e s e f o u r i n g r e d i e n t s in a h e a l t h y balance. S o m e t e n d t o s t r e s s t h e text a n d t h e act of p r e a c h i n g . O t h e r s e m p h a s i z e t h e p r e a c h e r a n d t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e Bible p r e s e n t s all of t h e m i n f o u r - p a r t harmony. If preaching i n v o l v e s t h e text, t h e p r e a c h e r , t h e act of p r e a c h i n g , a n d t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n , t h e n creative preaching m u s t , o f n e c e s s i t y , i n v o l v e t h e v e r y s a m e f a c t o r s . W e will u s e t h e text c r e a t i v e l y . W e will e n g a g e in c r e a t i v e acts of preaching. A s preachers o u r o w n e x p e r i e n c e a n d p e r s o n a l i t i e s will b e creatively h a r n e s s e d . T h e congregation will b e e d u c a t e d a n d m o t i v a t e d to listen, l e a r n , a n d r e s p o n d creatively. Y o u s e e , it i s n ' t that t h e p r e a c h e r s t u d i e s t h e text a n d p r e p a r e s a s e r m o n f o r his c o n g r e g a t i o n a n d t h e n a d d s a d a s h o f creativity to b e s p i c y a n d t r e n d y . It i s n ' t that at all. It is that t h e w h o l e p r o c e s s , f r o m text t o c o n g r e g a t i o n , c a n a n d s h o u l d i n v o l v e creativity. T h a t is t h e f l a m e this b o o k w a n t s to f a n . But b e f o r e w e g e t i n t o t h e h o w o f d o i n g this in detail, w e n e e d to u n d e r s t a n d w h a t creativity is.

18

2 Creativity

GOD—THE

CREATOR

T o create is to b r i n g i n t o e x i s t e n c e . T o b e a b l e to c r e a t e everything, one must be sovereign, omnipresent, omnis c i e n t , a n d o m n i p o t e n t . O n l y G o d qualifies f o r t h i s t a s k . H e a l o n e r e i g n s s u p r e m e , is e v e r y w h e r e , k n o w s e v e r y t h i n g , a n d c a n d o a n y t h i n g . T h u s , H e is t h e o n e a n d o n l y C r e a t o r . G e n e s i s 1 - 2 s p e a k s e l o q u e n t l y to this fact. T h e r e i n w e a r e informed that H e created the world of nature and the world of h u m a n b e i n g s . G O D — T H E CREATIVE

ONE

T o b e creative is to t a k e t h e t h i n g s t h a t h a v e b e e n c r e a t e d a n d u s e t h e m in n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s . In t h i s s e n s e , G o d is a l s o t h e Creative One. F o r e x a m p l e , H e c r e a t e d w a t e r , soil, a n d t i m e . T h e n H e u s e d t h e m c r e a t i v e l y to f a s h i o n a G r a n d C a n y o n . H e c r e a t e d c o l o r , air, c l o u d s , a n d the s u n . H e combines these creatively for spectacular s u n s e t s . H e c r e a t e d a s e a s o n w e call " f a l l , " w h e r e i n H e b a t h e s t h e g r e e n l e a v e s in c o l d air, a n d t h e r e s u l t s a r e vivid 19

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING h u e s that c r e a t i v e l y e x p a n d t h e color s p e c t r u m . T h e n t h e l e a v e s die a n d fall to t h e g r o u n d to c r e a t i v e l y m u l c h t h e soil (or in t h e g u t t e r s t o creatively clog t h e d o w n s p o u t s ! ) . G o d ' s creativity will a l w a y s b e in h a r m o n y w i t h H i s character. H e c a n n o t creatively reorganize the Trinity, m u c h l e s s d i s b a n d it. H e c a n n o t c r e a t i v e l y r e d e f i n e h o l i n e s s , s o that u n s a v e d s i n n e r s c o u l d slip i n t o h e a v e n . B u t t h e selfimposed restrictions within the G o d h e a d do not shut d o w n o r e v e n h a m p e r H i s creativity. T h e r e a r e a n infinite n u m b e r o f w a y s that G o d c a n glorify H i m s e l f . H e is n o t o n l y t h e a u t h o r of creativity; H e is t h e e p i t o m e of creativity. H i s c o m m e n t a r y o n all that H e c r e a t e d w a s that it w a s " v e r y g o o d " ( G e n . 1:31). H e c o u l d s a y t h a t n o t o n l y b e c a u s e o f t h e quality o f w h a t H e h a d c r e a t e d , b u t also b e c a u s e o f t h e p o t e n t i a l l y u n l i m i t e d q u a n t i t y o f w a y s it p r o v i d e d f o r H i m to creatively express a n d exhibit Himself. MAN—CREATOR

OR

"CREATIVE"?

W h a t a b o u t m a n ? C a n h e t o o b e classified a s a c r e a t o r ? N o . A s s t a t e d p r e v i o u s l y , t o c r e a t e is to b r i n g i n t o e x i s t e n c e . M a n c a n n o t d o t h a t . O n l y G o d c a n . A t t h e e n d o f t h e sixth d a y G o d c o m p l e t e d H i s w o r k o f c r e a t i o n , certified its i n t r i n s i c a n d s u p r e m e g o o d n e s s , a n d t o o k t h e n e x t d a y off. C r e a t i o n , for t h i s life a n d in t h i s w o r l d , is f i n i s h e d . G o d is c e r t a i n l y n o t n o w a n a b s e n t e e G o d ; H e c o n t i n u e s to b e p e r s o n a l l y a n d d y n a m i c a l l y i n v o l v e d : a s S u s t a i n er r a t h e r t h a n C r e a t o r ; as c r e a t i v e r a t h e r t h a n c r e a t i n g . B u t w h e n G o d w e n t into His creative and sustaining m o d e , m a n m o v e d into his ruling and subduing m o d e . He had within h i m a n d a r o u n d h i m all t h e p o t e n t i a l r e s o u r c e s h e n e e d e d to 1

carry o u t h i s G o d - g i v e n m a n d a t e . N o w it w a s h i s r e s p o n s i bility, n o t to c r e a t e (that h a d a l r e a d y b e e n d o n e ) , b u t to t a k e t h e t h i n g s that h a d b e e n c r e a t e d a n d u s e t h e m c r e a t i v e l y . That would involve exploration, discovery, developing, c o m b i n i n g , s e p a r a t i n g , t e s t i n g — a n d a w h o l e h o s t of o t h e r procedures that constitute functioning creatively. 20

Creativity M A N — T H E CREATIVE

ONE

I s a y it a g a i n . T o b e c r e a t i v e is to t a k e t h e t h i n g s that h a v e b e e n c r e a t e d a n d u s e t h e m in n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s . T h e G a r d e n of E d e n w a s t h e s e t t i n g f o r creativity at its h i g h e s t l e v e l . T h e m o s t c r e a t i v e c o u p l e i n all h u m a n h i s t o r y were A d a m a n d Eve. That w a s because A d a m and Eve were d o i n g e v e r y t h i n g for the first time. E v e r y e v e n t w a s in a " s t a r t u p " p h a s e a s far a s t h e y w e r e c o n c e r n e d . T h e y h a d n o prior experience. N o textbooks. N o owner's manuals. They und o u b t e d l y c o n s u l t e d G o d , b u t t h e y still h a d to d i s c u s s , understand, remember, and so on, and I have a sneaking s u s p i c i o n t h a t H e d i d n ' t tell t h e m all t h e y w a n t e d to k n o w . H e still d o e s n ' t ( D e u t . 2 9 : 2 9 ) . 2

A d a m started his creative stewardship by n a m i n g the b e a s t s o f t h e field a n d b i r d s of t h e air. G o d h a d c r e a t e d e a c h o n e o f t h e m w i t h a distinctive s i z e , s h a p e , c o l o r , m o v e m e n t , h a b i t a t , m e a n s of d e f e n s e , a n d abilities. G o d h a d a l s o c r e a t e d A d a m w i t h e y e s t o s e e , e a r s t o h e a r , a m i n d to a n a l y z e , a m o u t h to f o r m s o u n d s . A d a m h a d to p u t all t h e s e factors together and decide o n a s o u n d or s o u n d s , depending on h o w m a n y syllables or w o r d s h e p u t i n e a c h n a m e , f o r e a c h bird and beast. N o t e , A d a m did n o t c r e a t e t h e rich v a r i e t y of a n i m a l s . G o d d i d . N o r d i d A d a m c r e a t e h i s o w n c a p a c i t y to f o r m various sounds and words. G o d did. A d a m , using what G o d h a d c r e a t e d in h i m a n d i n t h e a n i m a l s , c r e a t i v e l y g a v e e a c h a different n a m e . H e had n o dictionary, n o thesaurus, no n a m e book. Working with the raw materials which G o d had already brought into existence h e creatively fashioned a n a m e . T h e n a n o t h e r n a m e . A n d a n o t h e r ; u n t i l all o f t h e b i r d s a n d t h e b e a s t s w e r e n a m e d . T h a t little e x e r c i s e , m y f r i e n d , t o o k a lot o f c r e a t i v e t h i n k i n g ! E v e r y t h i n g w a s n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t f o r t h a t first c o u p l e ; so everything required s o m e creative thinking a n d acting. W h a t to e a t , h o w t o c o o k , w h e r e t o s l e e p , h o w to e n g a g e in s e x u a l r e l a t i o n s , h o w t o p r u n e t h e t r e e s , w h e n to p i c k t h e fruit, e t c . , all d e m a n d e d c r e a t i v e d i s c u s s i o n s a n d d e c i s i o n s . 21

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING E s p e c i a l l y w h e n t h e y e n c o u n t e r e d t h e s e t h i n g s for t h e first time. I c a n j u s t i m a g i n e A d a m s i g h i n g d e e p l y at t h e e n d o f a b u s y d a y , a n d as t h e air r u s h e d t h r o u g h his p u c k e r e d l i p s , h e a r i n g for t h e first t i m e — a w h i s t l e . N o w w h a t d o e s o n e d o w i t h a w h i s t l e ? J u s t w h a t a n y g r o w i n g child t o d a y d o e s w i t h s u c h a d i s c o v e r y . W o r k o n it. S o A d a m diligently p r a c t i c e d u s i n g his p u l m o n a r y p o t e n t i a l c r e a t i v e l y s o a s to p r o d u c e all k i n d s of n e w s o u n d s . H e d i d n ' t s t o p t h e r e . H e s o o n d i s c o v e r e d that a l o w w h i s t l e w i t h a c e r t a i n flirtatious lilt to it turned Eve o n , so he mastered that melody. By sticking two f i n g e r s in h i s m o u t h a n d b l o w i n g h a r d h e c o u l d p r o d u c e a s o u n d shrill e n o u g h to get t h e c o w s h e a d e d for t h e b a r n , t h e kids h e a d e d f o r t h e s u p p e r t a b l e , t h e b i r d s o u t of t h e y a r d , a n d t h e d o g o u t o f t h e c h i c k e n c o o p . All of this b y c r e a t i v e l y u s i n g h i s l u n g s a n d his l i p s . T h e n E v e p i c k e d u p o n h e r h u s b a n d ' s b u d d i n g oral a e r o d y n a m i c a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a n d f o u n d that s h e h a d t h e k n a c k of n o t o n l y w h i s t l i n g little ditties, b u t also of p u t t i n g a p p r o p r i a t e w o r d s to t h e t u n e s . T h e n , o n o n e o c c a s i o n , w h e n h e r lips w e r e w o r n o u t f r o m w h i s t l i n g , s h e d i s c o v e r e d a n o t h e r w a y to m a k e s o u n d s — w e call it h u m m i n g . T h e i r two boys also got in on the creative process. Abel found h e c o u l d elicit a v a r i e t y of s o u n d s f r o m a n old r a m ' s h o r n . C a i n discovered the same thing while experimenting with a hollowed-out b a m b o o shoot. T h e same creative process has continued d o w n through the centuries, and today w e have sophisticated wind instrum e n t s like t h e c l a r i n e t , o b o e , f l u t e , a n d b a s s o o n ; a n d n o telling w h a t s o m e c r e a t i v e m u s i c i a n will c o m e u p w i t h n e x t . C e r t a i n l y n o o n e w o u l d b e willing to s a y t h a t w e h a v e i n t h i s area r e a c h e d t h e e n d of o u r c r e a t i v e p o t e n t i a l . T h a t ' s t h e n a t u r e of G o d ' s c r e a t i o n — i t h a s u n l i m i t e d c r e a t i v e p o t e n t i a l . CREATIVITY AND THE

FALL

A d a m a n d Eve w e n t o n their merry w a y , creatively e n j o y i n g E d e n a n d e a c h o t h e r ; carefully k e e p i n g t h e r u l e s set 22

Creativity u p b y t h e i r C r e a t o r . T h e n it h a p p e n e d . S e d u c t i v e l y c h a l l e n g e d b y S a t a n t o t h i n k i n c o r r e c t l y a n d t o act d i s o b e d i e n t l y , t h e y w a v e r e d p r e c i p i t o u s l y o n t h e t h i n e d g e of d e c i s i o n a n d finally p l u n g e d h e a d l o n g i n t o t h e d i s a s t r o u s c h o i c e t o pit their h u m a n wills a g a i n s t t h e will of t h e i r s o v e r e i g n C r e a t o r . T h e y sinned, and from that point o n the world has been o c c u p i e d b y fallen, sinful h u m a n b e i n g s . W e k n o w from Scripture and from experience that the Fall a n d t h e c u r s e t h a t f o l l o w e d p r o f o u n d l y a f f e c t e d m a n ' s mind. H e c a n still t h i n k , b u t h e c a n ' t a l w a y s t h i n k correctly. A d a m ' s m i n d b e g a n to m a l f u n c t i o n i m m e d i a t e l y . H e lost t h e p r o p e r p e r s p e c t i v e of n a k e d n e s s . H e tried t o h i d e f r o m G o d . H e w a s s l o w to c o n f e s s his a c t i v e p a r t in t h e f o r b i d d e n i n d u l g e n c e . H e tried t o p u t t h e b l a m e o n h i s p a r t n e r , E v e . H i s s o n s i n h e r i t e d this f l a w e d t h i n k i n g p r o c e s s , s o m u c h s o t h a t C a i n c a m e to t h e e r r o n e o u s c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e b e s t w a y to s o l v e a sibling s q u a b b l e w a s t o c o m m i t m u r d e r . Within a few generations m a n ' s m i n d had deteriorated to t h e p o i n t w h e r e " e v e r y i n c l i n a t i o n of t h e t h o u g h t s o f his h e a r t w a s o n l y evil all t h e t i m e " ( G e n . 6 : 5 ) . E x c e p t f o r N o a h ' s faithful r e m n a n t , t h e f l o o d d r o w n e d o u t all o f t h i s b i z a r r e thinking, yet before things hardly had time to dry out, G o d , k n o w i n g m a n ' s b e l l i g e r e n t b e n t , i n s t i t u t e d capital p u n i s h ment (Gen. 9 : 5 - 6 ) . T h e w o r l d , t h e f l e s h a n d t h e devil c o n t i n u e t o c o n s p i r e to k e e p fallen p e o p l e t h i n k i n g h a l f a b u b b l e o f f p l u m b , at t h e v e r y l e a s t . A classic a n a l y s i s o f m a n ' s c e r e b r a l c o r r u p t i o n is contained in Ephesians 4 . T 7 - 1 9 : You must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they~have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. N o t i c e t h e v a r i o u s d e s c r i p t o r s u s e d i n t h i s text t h a t underline our basic premise: the natural p e r s o n can't always think correctly. 23

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING But c a n t h e y t h i n k creatively? D i d t h e Fall l o w e r t h e i r I Q ? G r a n t e d s o m e o n e m a y b e afflicted w i t h a s a t a n i c b l i n d n e s s ; d o e s t h a t m e a n h i s m i n d is b l a n k ? T o b e s u r e , s o m e o n e m a y b e p l a g u e d w i t h d e c e i t ; d o e s t h a t rule o u t d i s c o v e r y ? C e r t a i n l y h e m a y b e s e l f - c e n t e r e d ; d o e s t h a t rule o u t t h e ability to i m a g i n e a n d i n n o v a t e ? N o t at all. J u s t because the natural person has problems thinkings correctly d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t h e is u n a b j g J t Q t h i n k ~ c r e a t i v e l y . L o o k a g a i n at E p h e s i a n s 4 : 1 7 - 1 9 . ^ F a l l e n folk a r e classified a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , a s i g n o r a n t a n d i n s e n s i t i v e . B u t t h a t d o e s n ' t s h u t t h e m d o w n . T h e y h a v e g o n e right a h e a d a n d c o m m i t t e d t h e m s e l v e s t o " i n d u l g e in e v e r y k i n d of i m p u r i t y , w i t h a c o n t i n u a l lust f o r m o r e . " T h e y a r e n o t satisfied to b e dull, n a r r o w , traditional d e v i a t e s . T h e y sin c r e a t i v e l y ! T h i s is r e i n f o r c e d in R o m a n s 1 : 2 8 - 3 2 w h e r e t h o s e w i t h d e p r a v e d m i n d s a r e said to " i n v e n t w a y s of d o i n g e v i l . " This does not m e a n , h o w e v e r , that non-Christians s p e n d all of t h e i r t i m e t h i n k i n g a n d a c t i n g i m m o r a l l y . A s R i c h a r d L o v e l a c e p o i n t s o u t , " t h e i r lives m a y b e m o r e righteous in o u t w a r d a c t i o n s , t h o u g h not i n m o t i v a t i o n , t h a n those of most Christians." Their basic motivation, Lovelace s a y s , " m a y s i m p l y b e to h a n g o n t o r e s p e c t a b i l i t y , a n e e d b a s e d o n t h e d e s i r e for s e l f - e s t e e m a n d t h e a f f e c t i o n o f others." 3

A n o t h e r b a s i c m o t i v a t i o n in t h e n o n - C h r i s t i a n w o r l d is t h e d e s i r e to m a k e life b e t t e r . T e c h n o l o g y is d e s i g n e d to d o t h a t . S o is s e c u l a r h u m a n i s m . C r e a t i v e t h i n k i n g h a s s p a w n e d t e c h n o l o g y . C o r r e c t t h i n k i n g is n o w n e e d e d to m a k e s u r e w e u s e it rightly. I n c o r r e c t t h i n k i n g h a s g i v e n rise t o s e c u l a r h u m a n i s m , a n d n o w c r e a t i v e m a r k e t i n g is b e i n g u s e d to sell it to t h e m a s s e s ; a q u i c k l o o k a r o u n d u s at m a g a z i n e s a n d t e l e v i s i o n d e m o n s t r a t e s h o w it's h a p p e n i n g . T h e C h r i s t i a n c o m m u n i c a t o r m u s t s t e p b o l d l y i n t o this s c e n e a n d m a r k e t correctly a n d creatively the insights n e e d e d to h a n d l e t e c h n o l o g y a n d t h e a n t i d o t e n e e d e d to c o u n t e r a c t s e c u l a r h u m a n i s m . C r e a t i v e biblical p r e a c h i n g is o n e o f t h e significant w a y s to a c c o m p l i s h t h i s . 24

Creativity CREATIVITY AND THE

CHRISTIAN

T h e p r e c e d i n g s e c t i o n e s t a b l i s h e d t h e fact t h a t t h e u n s a v e d p e r s o n has both the propensity to think incorrectly a n d t h e p o t e n t i a l to t h i n k c r e a t i v e l y . W e m u s t n o t let this l e a d u s t o t h e e r r o n e o u s c o n c l u s i o n that b e c a u s e t h e s a v e d p e r s o n n o w h a s t h e p o t e n t i a l t o t h i n k c o r r e c t l y , t h e r e is n o reason to worry about thinking creatively. Correct thinking neither rules out nor replaces creative thinking. Both are m a n d a t o r y for the Christian. S c r i p t u r e w e a v e s c o r r e c t n e s s a n d creativity t o g e t h e r . F o r e x a m p l e , i n R o m a n s 12:2 t h e r e n e w i n g o f t h e m i n d is v i e w e d a s b a s i c t o e v e r y t h i n g e l s e i n t h e v e r s e . It e n a b l e s t h e b e l i e v e r t o t h i n k a n d live c o r r e c t l y w i t h r e g a r d to c o n f o r m i t y to t h e w o r l d , a n d it will g i v e h i m t h e ability t o test a n d a p p r o v e w i t h a c c u r a c y w h a t G o d ' s will is in life s i t u a t i o n s . W h e r e is creativity in this p a s s a g e ? It is i n h e r e n t in t h e e x h o r t a t i o n t o " b e t r a n s f o r m e d . " T o b e t r a n s f o r m e d is to c h a n g e , t o b e d i f f e r e n t , to b e n e w . T h i s h a p p e n s a s w e a l l o w t h e Spirit o f G o d to b l e n d H i s p e r v a s i v e t r u t h i n t o o u r u n i q u e personalities. T h e result: a c u s t o m - m a d e Christian. Not a n o t h e r o n e i n all this w o r l d e x a c t l y like h i m . C r e a t i v i t y at its highest! T h e s e s a m e t w o factors a r e l a c e d t o g e t h e r in 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 5 : 5 8 . C o r r e c t n e s s is e m p h a s i z e d in t h e t w o p h r a s e s " s t a n d f i r m " and "let nothing m o v e y o u . " A s the Christian lives life a n d faces d e a t h h e n e e d s t o b e u n s h a k a b l y r o o t e d in G o d a n d H i s W o r d . B u t t h e r e is m o r e . A l o n g w i t h a correct r o o t e d n e s s , t h e r e is t o b e a c r e a t i v e f l o w e r i n g , d e s c r i b e d a s " a l w a y s g i v i n g y o u r s e l v e s fully t o t h e w o r k o f t h e L o r d . " T h e N A S B translates this as " a l w a y s a b o u n d i n g in the work of t h e L o r d . " T h e r e a r e a n i n f i n i t e n u m b e r of w a y s w e c a n g i v e o u r s e l v e s fully to t h e t a s k o f a b o u n d i n g , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n w e u n d e r s t a n d that n o n e of o u r l a b o r will b e in v a i n . P a u l ' s p h i l o s o p h y of e v a n g e l i s m c o m b i n e d c o r r e c t n e s s a n d creativity. F i v e t i m e s in 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 9 : 1 9 - 2 3 h e reiterates his g o a l — t o win others to Christ. M o s t assuredly, that is a correct g o a l . It n e v e r c h a n g e s . P a u l ' s m e t h o d s , 25

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING h o w e v e r , f r e q u e n t l y c h a n g e d , for h e c r e a t i v e l y a d a p t e d his a p p r o a c h to t h e n a t u r e a n d n e e d s of his a u d i e n c e . H e s u m m a r i z e d his i n n o v a t i v e m i n i s t r y b y s a y i n g , " I h a v e b e c o m e all t h i n g s t o all m e n s o t h a t b y all p o s s i b l e m e a n s I might save s o m e . " N o t e t h e u s e of t h e w o r d all. " A l l t h i n g s . . . all m e n . . . all p o s s i b l e m e a n s . " It is a little w o r d , b u t it h a s big i m p l i c a t i o n s . W h i l e t h e r e is one reason to d o e v a n g e l i s m , t h e r e a r e many ways to d o it. T h e a p o s t l e w a s c o m m i t t e d to creative outreach. First C o r i n t h i a n s 10:31 is a g o o d v e r s e w i t h w h i c h to c l o s e this s e c t i o n . " S o w h e t h e r y o u e a t or d r i n k or w h a t e v e r y o u d o , d o it all for t h e glory of G o d . " T h e " g l o r y of G o d " is t h e e s s e n t i a l c o r r e c t n e s s factor h e r e . H i s " g l o r y " r e f e r s to H i s c h a r a c t e r — n a m e l y , all t h a t is t r u e o f G o d . All that w e d o n e e d s to b e m o n i t o r e d b y a n d expressive of the glory of God. Notice h o w the verse moves from the specific—"whether y o u eat o r d r i n k " — t o t h e g e n e r a l — " o r w h a t e v e r y o u d o . " T h e n c o m e s t h a t little w o r d " a l l . " W e c o u l d classify it a s a creative " a l l , " r a t h e r t h a n a restrictive " a l l . " These are words of c h a l l e n g e , e x p a n s i o n , e x p l o r a t i o n , i m a g i n a t i o n , i n n o v a tion, variation, invention. All t h a t w e d o n e e d s to b e c a r e f u l l y a n a l y z e d t o b e s u r e t h a t it c o n f o r m s to H i s c h a r a c t e r , b u t h a v i n g d o n e t h i s , w e still h a v e a n " a l l " that is l a r g e r t h a n a n y t h i n g w e c a n i m a g i n e . S o w h e n y o u p r e a c h , d o it " a l l ' * f o r t h e g l o r y of G o d . R e a l i z e w h e n y o u take t h i s a p p r o a c h t h e r e will b e s o m e things you would never say a n d do w h e n you preach, but h a v i n g p u t t h e s e a w a y , y o u will still h a v e a n u n l i m i t e d n u m b e r of w a y s y o u c a n p r e a c h a n d in s o d o i n g b r i n g g l o r y to G o d . CREATIVITY A N D

COMPETENCY

W e a r e u s i n g t h e t e r m creativity in a b r o a d , g e n e r a l , n o n t e c h n i c a l s e n s e . Y o u will r e m e m b e r w e d e f i n e d it earlier in this c h a p t e r a s " t h e ability t o t a k e the t h i n g s t h a t h a v e b e e n created a n d u s e t h e m in n e w and different w a y s . " 26

Creativity U s i n g t h i s d e f i n i t i o n , creativity c a n i n c l u d e s u c h t h i n g s as innovation, imagination, invention, variety, originality, a n d technique. Each of these terms can h a v e qualities which w o u l d d i s t i n g u i s h it f r o m o t h e r s o n t h e list, b u t t h e y c a n a l s o b e u s e d in w a y s t h a t m a k e t h e m e s s e n t i a l l y s y n o n y m o u s . F o r t h e m o s t p a r t , w e will e m p l o y t h e m i n t h i s latter w a y , a n d w e will u s e creativity a s a b r o a d u m b r e l l a t e r m that c o v e r s all t h e o t h e r s . Anyone can be creative. T h i s is b e c a u s e a n y o n e c a n p u t t h e a b o v e d e f i n i t i o n o f creativity i n t o e f f e c t , i . e . , h e c a n t a k e s o m e t h i n g t h a t exists a n d u s e it in a n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y . F u r t h e r m o r e , s i n c e e v e r y C h r i s t i a n is e x p e c t e d t o glorify G o d in a n d t h r o u g h h i s u n i q u e p e r s o n a l i t y , a n d t h u s c r e a t i v e l y , w e c a n r i g h t l y c o n c l u d e that e v e r y C h r i s t i a n is a b l e t o d o s o . There are no noncreative persons. There are, however, m a n y p e r s o n s w h o h a v e n o t d i s c o v e r e d or w h o a r e n o t u s i n g a r e a s of c r e a t i v e p o t e n t i a l in their l i v e s . T h i s b o o k is n o t w r i t t e n t o a select f e w w h o m G o d h a s e q u i p p e d t o b e c r e a t i v e . T h e a u t h o r ' s a s s u m p t i o n is t h a t e v e r y b e l i e v e r h a s t h e p o t e n t i a l t o b e c r e a t i v e a n d s i m p l y n e e d s t o d i s c o v e r a n d d e v e l o p it. Gifts a n d talents are g i v e n t o u s b y G o d . T a l e n t s are b e s t o w e d b y G o d at c o n c e p t i o n . Gifts a r e b e s t o w e d b y G o d at c o n v e r s i o n . T a l e n t s e n a b l e u s t o f u n c t i o n p r i m a r i l y i n t h e w o r l d . G i f t s e n a b l e u s to f u n c t i o n p r i m a r i l y i n t h e c h u r c h . T a l e n t s a r e r e l a t e d m o r e t o o u r v o c a t i o n ; gifts a r e related m o r e t o o u r m i n i s t r y . B o t h t a l e n t s a n d gifts a r e i n h e r e n t c a p a c i t i e s a s o p p o s e d t o l e a r n e d abilities. T h e r e f o r e , o u r t a s k is t o d i s c o v e r w h a t s p e c i f i c c a p a c i t i e s w e i n h e r e n t l y p o s s e s s , rather thar^decide w h a t particular abilities^ve^want to a c q u i r e . W e s h o u l d b e a b l e t o t h i n k l m d " a l T 1 n w e ~ s k i l l f u l l y in a r e a s w h e r e w e a r e gifted a n d t a l e n t e d , for t h e s e a r e o u r God-given-places of strength and expertise, places w h e r e w e c a n r y r f n r m p v r p p H i n g l y w p j l J H g i n frfipgp a r e a s t h a t w e will be most creative—uniquely q u a l i f i e d j ^ t o put things tog e t h e r in n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s . B e c a u s e n o . onfe-pergon h a s a l H h e ^ g j f t s j m d t a l e n t s , n o o n e p e r s o n will b e skillful a n d c r e a t i v e in e v e r y a r e a of e n d e a v o r . T h a t u n d e r s c o r e s t h e 27

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING d o c t r i n e of i n t e r d e p e n d e n c y . W e n e e d o n e a n o t h e r ' s c r e a t i v e skills. F r o m a biblical p e r s p e c t i v e , competency c a n b e v i e w e d at t h r e e l e v e l s . A C h r i s t i a n w o u l d b e f u n c t i o n i n g below biblical competency w h e n ignorant and/or disobedient with regard to G o d ' s will in o n e or m o r e a r e a s of life. T h a t w a s t h e problem with the Hebrew Christians (Heb. 5 : 1 1 - 1 4 ) . Enough t i m e h a d e l a p s e d f o r t h e m to b e t e a c h e r s ; b u t b e c a u s e o f ignorance and disobedience they weren't there. They needed t o b e r e t a u g h t t h e b a s i c s . W i t h r e g a r d to t e a c h i n g t h e W o r d to o t h e r s , t h e y w e r e w a l l o w i n g a r o u n d i n a n a r e a w e a r e c l a s s i f y i n g a s b e l o w biblical c o m p e t e n c y . A n y c r e a t i v i t y t h e y m a y h a v e h a d w a s p r o b a b l y b e i n g u s e d to f i n d n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s to a v o i d t h e i r G o d - g i v e n r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s ! A s e c o n d level c a n b e called within biblical c o m p e t e n c y . That's where the Hebrew Christians should have been. T h e i n d i c t m e n t l e v e l e d at t h e m w a s c a n d i d : " b y t h i s t i m e y o u o u g h t to be t e a c h e r s . " T h e y should have b e e n competently c o m m u n i c a t i n g t r u t h to o t h e r s . I n c o n t r a s t , n o t e h o w P a u l c o m m e n d s t h e C h r i s t i a n s in R o m e for their p r o g r e s s w i t h these words: I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another (Rom. 15:14). T h e s e b e l i e v e r s w e r e w i t h i n biblical c o m p e t e n c y in at least three areas: g o o d n e s s , k n o w l e d g e , a n d instruction. T h e b e t t e r t h e y g o t , t h e m o r e t h e p o t e n t i a l for t h e m to c r e a t i v e l y f u n c t i o n in t h e s e t h r e e a r e a s . N o t e , h o w e v e r , t h a t n e i t h e r H e b r e w s 5 : 1 1 - 1 4 nor R o m a n s 15:14 contains a reference to t h e spiritual gift o f t e a c h i n g . T h e s e p a s s a g e s r e f e r to t h e m i n i s t r y of t e a c h i n g t h a t a n y b e l i e v e r c a n a n d s h o u l d b e c o m p e t e n t to carry o u t . T o a c c o u n t for t h e p r e s e n c e a n d u s e of spiritual gifts a n d t a l e n t s , t h e r e m u s t b e o n e h i g h e r level of c o m p e t e n c y , w h i c h I h a v e c h o s e n to call skill. T h e p e r s o n w i t h t h e gift of teaching will b e a b l e to t e a c h t h e W o r d o f G o d e x c e e d i n g l y 28

Creativity w e l l , i . e . , w i t h skill. T h e p e r s o n w i t h artistic talent will b e able t o e m p l o y t h a t talent w i t h e x p e r t i s e . If a p r e a c h e r h a s t h e gift o f t e a c h i n g a n d a n artistic t a l e n t , t h e n h i s p r e a c h i n g c a n a n d should c o m b i n e these two capacities creatively. N o w , a w o r d a b o u t talents. O n e t a l e n t is that of communication. It i n v o l v e s t h e i n h e r e n t c a p a c i t y t o w r i t e , or c o n v e r s e , o r t o b r o a d c a s t . If y o u h a v e t h e gift o f t e a c h i n g a n d t h e t a l e n t o f u s i n g w o r d s , y o u will b e a b l e t o creatively v e r b a l i z e t h e W o r d o f G o d . Y o u will d o it b e c a u s e y o u h a v e a k n a c k f o r it, a n d w h e n y o u d o it, y o u e x p e r i e n c e a g r o w i n g s e n s e of fulfillment—because you are doing " y o u r t h i n g . " O r b e t t e r , G o d is d o i n g " H i s t h i n g " in a n d t h r o u g h y o u . B u t y o u r w o r d - u s i n g t a l e n t m a y b e in t h e field o f w r i t i n g a n d t h u s y o u m i n i s t e r t h r o u g h t h e p r i n t m e d i a , or y o u m a n u script y o u r s e r m o n s a n d utilize y o u r w r i t i n g t a l e n t orally. CREATIVITY A N D

CHANGE

Roots become ruts. Ruts become routines. Routine, carried o n i n t h e local c h u r c h , t e n d s t o b e c o m e " r i g h t e o u s . " R i g h t e o u s r o u t i n e b e c o m e s u n a s s a i l a b l y , uncritically rigid— the best and only way to do things. Along c o m e those w h o w a n t t o m a k e a c h a n g e in t h i s rigidly righteous r o u t i n e . T h e y m a y f i n d o u t that w h a t t h e y p r o p o s e t o c h a n g e is s o m e t h i n g t h a t o t h e r s a r e d e e p l y a t t a c h e d to a n d n o t a b o u t t o c h a n g e . S o , t o g e t to t h e j r o i n L . n o t e y e r y o n e _ i n t h e local c h u r c h , is g o i n g t o a p p r e c i a t e y c j u x _ d e s i r e t o b e _.creatbze, e s p e c i a l l y w h e n y o u a t t e m p t to b e c r e a t i v e in y o u r p r e a c h i n g . F i e r c e d e f e n d e r s o f t h e e s t a b l i s h e d faith a r e a l s o o f t e n fierce defenders of the established format. T h e s o l u t i o n i s l í ó t l o w r i t e t h e m off a n d r u n o v e r t h e m , n o r is it t o let t h e m r u n o v e r y o u . T h e s o l u t i o n is t o h e l p p e o p l e d i s t i n g u i s h b e t w e e n biblical d o c t r i n e s a n d historical p r a c t i c e s . D o c t r i n e s w e c h a n g e o n l y in o r d e r to b e c o m e m o r e J y b l j c a L ^ r e a ' c T í í n g is a vital p a r t of a biblical m i n i s t r y . T h a t ' s a d o c t r i n e w e o u g h t to b e u n a l t e r a b l y a t t a c h e d t o . P r a c t i c e s w e c h a n g e , i n o r d e r to b e c o m e m o r e e f f e c t i v e in o u r biblical m i n i s t r y . T h u s , w e h o l d firmly n o t o n l y to t h e p r i m a c y of 29

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING p r e a c h i n g b u t also t o t h e o n g o i n g d e v e l o p m e n t of e f f e c t i v e p r e a c h i n g . T h i s a l l o w s u s , n a y , c o m p e l s u s , to l o o k f o r , f i n d and use n e w and different and better ways of communicati n g G o d ' s W o r d f r o m t h e p u l p i t . T h i s d e m a n d s creativity. W i t h r e g a r d t o biblical d o c t r i n e w e a r e firm. W i t h r e g a r d t o historical p r a c t i c e s w e a r e flexible. T h e rest o f this b o o k is g o i n g to test h o w flexible y o u really a r e .

30

3 Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text E v e r y text of S c r i p t u r e h a s a c o n t e x t , or a n o r i g i n a l s e t t i n g , o r w h a t I call a life-setting. To discover the meaning, w e study t h e text i n its l i f e - s e t t i n g . S o m e f a c t o r s i n t h i s a r e c u l t u r e , history, geography, thought, feelings, language, grammar, names, and persons. Using these elements and a sound hermeneutical system, the expositor seeks to step back into b o t h t h e t i m e a n d t h e territory o f t h e text. S t u d y i n g t h e text in its l i f e - s e t t i n g is i m p o r t a n t , f o r S c r i p t u r e is m o r e t h a n w o r d s o n p a p e r ; S c r i p t u r e is p e o p l e . In o n e s e n s e t h e Bible is a script a s f o r a d r a m a . O u r t a s k is to re-create each scene, to identify the players a n d bring t h e m o n t o t h e s t a g e , t o let t h e m p l a y their p a r t s . T o a c c o m p l i s h this w e m u s t f e r v e n t l y s t i i d y t h e text and f r e q u e n t l y u s e o u r i m a g i n a t i o n . L e t ' s d o it. LIFE-SETTING A N D

LANGUAGE

S u p p o s e y o u a r e speaking t o a live a u d i e n c e a n d w a n t t o emphasize one main point. H o w do you go about this? Y o u establish eye contact, u s e appropriate gestures, carefully v a r y t h e v o l u m e a n d rate o f y o u r v o i c e , a n d u s e e f f e c t i v e 31

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING w o r d s . S u p p o s e y o u a r e writing r a t h e r t h a n s p e a k i n g . F o r e m p h a s i s y o u m i g h t u s e italics, u n d e r l i n e s , b o l d - f a c e d t y p e , capital l e t t e r s , q u o t a t i o n m a r k s , g r a p h i c s , or i n d e n t a t i o n , along with carefully selected words. S u p p o s e y o u w e r e d o i n g t h i s w r i t i n g in t h e first century A.D. W h a t o p t i o n s for e m p h a s i s w o u l d y o u h a v e ? W e c a n f i n d o u t b y e x a m i n i n g a w r i t e r like t h e a p o s t l e P a u l t o s e e h o w he emphasized a major point. Let's w o r k with a wellk n o w n passage from the pastoral epistles. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3 : 1 6 - 1 7 ) . In v e r s e 16 P a u l tells T i m o t h y a b o u t t h e s o u r c e a n d t h e u s e of t h e S c r i p t u r e s . T h e y a r e " G o d - b r e a t h e d " a n d t h u s e s s e n t i a l " f o r t e a c h i n g , r e b u k i n g , c o r r e c t i n g a n d t r a i n i n g in r i g h t e o u s n e s s . " T h e overall p u r p o s e of t h e s e u s e s of S c r i p t u r e is g i v e n in t h e hina c l a u s e in v e r s e 17: " s o that t h e m a n o f G o d m a y b e t h o r o u g h l y e q u i p p e d for e v e r y g o o d w o r k . " T h e a p o s t l e ' s m a i n p o i n t is t h i s : T h e S c r i p t u r e s e q u i p believers. H o w d o e s P a u l e s t a b l i s h this e m p h a s i s ? H e c o u l d n ' t write l o u d e r , o r s e n d a v i d e o t a p e . H e d i d n ' t c h o o s e to w r i t e l a r g e r , o r u s e all c a p i t a l s , o r u n d e r l i n e , o r c h a n g e t h e c o l o r of h i s i n k , or u s e a b r o a d e r - p o i n t e d quill. W h a t did h e d o to d r i v e h o m e this b a s i c t r u t h ? A s w e c a r r y o n this i n v e s t i g a t i o n , b e a r in m i n d t h a t w e a r e e x p l o r i n g w h a t w e m i g h t call t h e linguistic l i f e - s e t t i n g o f P a u l — f i n d i n g o u t h o w h e u s e d w o r d s t o forcefully i n v a d e p e o p l e ' s l i v e s . The phrase "thoroughly e q u i p p e d " needs our attent i o n . It is t h e t r a n s l a t i o n of t w o s i m i l a r G r e e k w o r d s . First, t h e n o u n artios, w h i c h m e a n s " e q u i p p e d , r e a d y , p r e p a r e d . " T h e W o r d o f G o d is d e s i g n e d t o equip t h e m a n of G o d . H o w e v e r , t h e p h r a s e s a y s " t h o r o u g h l y e q u i p p e d . " T h a t is b e c a u s e in this v e r s e t h e r e • is a s e c o n d , similar w o r d , exertismenos, w h i c h is a v e r b d e r i v e d f r o m t h e n o u n artios. It is a p e r f e c t p a s s i v e p a r t i c i p l e , u s e d to d e s c r i b e a n a c t i o n t h a t 32

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text h a s t a k e n p l a c e in t h e p a s t , t h e r e s u l t s of w h i c h c o n t i n u e i n t o t h e p r e s e n t . A g a i n , it is t h e S c r i p t u r e s w h i c h will completely equip t h e m a n of G o d w i t h i n s i g h t a b o u t e v e r y g o o d w o r k . T h e S c r i p t u r e s s t a r t e d this w o r k at a p o i n t in t h e p a s t — i n T i m o t h y ' s c a s e , i n f a n c y ( 3 : 1 5 ) — a n d c o n t i n u e it till n o w . Biblical e q u i p p i n g c a n a n d s h o u l d b e a lifelong p r o c e s s . 1

D o y o u s e e w h a t is h a p p e n i n g ? T o forcefully u n d e r score t h e p u r p o s e c l a u s e in v e r s e 17, t h e writer r e p e a t s h i m s e l f , e m p l o y i n g t h e w o r d equipped t w i c e in t h e s a m e v e r s e . T h a t ' s a g o o d w a y to e m p h a s i z e . B u t h e is d o i n g m o r e t h a n w r i t i n g t h e s a m e w o r d t w i c e . H e a t t a c h e s a prefix to the s e c o n d w o r d . It is t h e p r e p o s i t i o n ex, w h i c h is u s e d h e r e to e m p h a s i z e a n d i n t e n s i f y t h e w o r d ; t h u s t h e translation "thoroughly e q u i p p e d . " The N e w International Version s e e k s t o c a p t u r e t h e i m p a c t of b o t h t h e s e w o r d s in a single p h r a s e , b u t in actuality t h e s e t w o w o r d s for " e q u i p p e d " d o n o t o c c u r n e x t to e a c h o t h e r in t h e v e r s e . T h e b a s i c w o r d is at t h e b e g i n n i n g , a n d t h e i n t e n s i f i e d w o r d is at t h e e n d . A m o r e a c c u r a t e t r a n s l a t i o n of t h e G r e e k text w o u l d b e : " s o that equipped m a y b e t h e m a n of G o d , for e v e r y g o o d w o r k h e h a s b e e n , a n d will c o n t i n u e to b e , thoroughly equipped." 2

L e d b y t h e Spirit of G o d , P a u l h a s c h o s e n certain w o r d s a n d p u t t h e m t o g e t h e r in a c e r t a i n w a y . • H e u s e s s e l e c t i o n — p i c k i n g o u t a c h o i c e w o r d f r o m his v o c a b u l a r y to c o n v e y t h e c o n c e p t of e q u i p p i n g ; • H e u s e s r e p e t i t i o n — t o g i v e t h e m a d o u b l e d o s e of equipping; • H e u s e s a n o u n a n d its v e r b f o r m — t o f e a t u r e b o t h t h e p r o d u c t a n d t h e p r o c e s s of e q u i p p i n g ; • He uses the perfect t e n s e — t o underline the ongoing e f f e c t i v e n e s s of e q u i p p i n g ; • H e u s e s a p r e p o s i t i o n a l p r e f i x — t o i n t e n s i f y t h e sign i f i c a n c e of e q u i p p i n g ; • He uses positioning—fore and a f t — t o remind us coming and going about equipping. W h y d i d P a u l u s e all t h e s e h i g h l i g h t i n g t e c h n i q u e s ? B e c a u s e h e a r d e n t l y b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e Word equips Christians, 33

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING a n d h e w a n t e d to c o n v e y that c o m m i t m e n t to T i m o t h y , e x p e c t i n g h i m in t u r n to c o n v e y it to o t h e r s (2 T i m . 2 : 2 ) . S o we h a v e m o r e t h a n a s e t o f e x e g e t i c a l facts in f r o n t of u s . W e h a v e i n s i g h t i n t o t h e life of t h e h u m a n a u t h o r . K n o w i n g h o w h e p u t v e r s e 17 t o g e t h e r , w e are g r i p p e d b y h i s c o n f i d e n c e in t h e W o r d a n d b y h i s c o n c e r n for e q u i p p i n g . If y o u w a n t to p r e a c h this p a s s a g e p o w e r f u l l y a n d c r e a t i v e l y , g e t s o c l o s e to t h e text that y o u r u b s h o u l d e r s w i t h t h e a u t h o r a n d h i s c o n f i d e n c e a n d c o n c e r n w o r k their w a y i n t o y o u r life. Y o u m a y w a n t to u s e y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n a n d d e v e l o p a c o n v e r s a t i o n P a u l c o u l d h a v e h a d w i t h h i m s e l f as h e p r e p a r e d to write this v e r s e , sifting t h r o u g h t h e d i f f e r e n t m e a n s h e m i g h t u s e t o get his p o i n t a c r o s s , a n d finally d i s c o v e r i n g w h a t w a s to h i m ( a n d t h e Spirit) t h e b e s t w a y to c o m m u n i c a t e to T i m o t h y t h e c o n c e p t of " e q u i p p i n g . " D o n ' t b e afraid to d o t h i s , b e c a u s e t h e fact is that P a u l n o d o u b t did m u l l v a r i o u s o p t i o n s o v e r in his m i n d b e f o r e a n d a s h e w a s w r i t i n g . W e c e r t a i n l y d o it, a n d P a u l w a s n o less h u m a n t h a n w e a r e . T h a t ' s o n e w a y of c r e a t i v e l y r e - c r e a t i n g t h e lifes e t t i n g of t h e text. If y o u w a n t to d o t h e s a m e k i n d of t h i n g s in o t h e r t e x t s , l o o k for r e p e t i t i o n of k e y w o r d s — s o m e t i m e s t h e s a m e w o r d , s o m e t i m e s a s y n o n y m . L o o k for t h e p r e p o s i t i o n a l p r e f i x e s , especially those that amplify and intensify. A t this p o i n t I s u s p e c t that y o u w o u l d like m e to g i v e y o u a list of o t h e r p a s s a g e s of S c r i p t u r e w h i c h h a v e i n t e r e s t i n g u s e s of r e p e t i t i o n a n d i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n . I p r e f e r to c h a l l e n g e y o u t o l o o k for t h e s e k i n d s of f a c t o r s in t h e texts f r o m w h i c h y o u c h o o s e to p r e a c h . H o w e v e r , I h a v e p r o v i d e d a f e w i d e a s in a n o t e at t h e b a c k of this b o o k . 3

LIFE-SETTING AND

HISTORY/CULTURE

N o w that w e h a v e s h a r p e n e d o u r linguistic sensitivity a bit, let's vitalize o u r historical-cultural a w a r e n e s s . E v e r y p o r t i o n of S c r i p t u r e w a s f o r m u l a t e d in a particular historicalcultural s e t t i n g , m e a n i n g that it w a s w r i t t e n at a certain t i m e 34

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text in h i s t o r y , w r i t t e n in a c e r t a i n p l a c e , a n d i n v o l v e d certain p e o p l e . T i m e is h i s t o r y , p l a c e is c u l t u r e , a n d p e o p l e a r e g e r m a n e to b o t h . T h e m o r e w e c a n r e - c r e a t e this original lifesetting, the better w e can understand a n d transmit the truth f o r m u l a t e d in it. I will s h o w y o u w h a t I m e a n . W h o w r o t e t h e Epistle to t h e R o m a n s ? P a u l . In o n e sense. A m a n n a m e d Tertius actually wrote d o w n the words ( 1 6 : 2 2 ) . S o t h e r e w e r e t w o p e o p l e vitally i n v o l v e d in t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f t h e original m a n u s c r i p t . P r o b a b l y o t h e r s . W h y d o I s a y this? In R o m a n s 16:23 w e a r e i n t r o d u c e d to G a i u s , o w n e r of t h e h o u s e w h e r e Paul s t a y e d d u r i n g his t h r e e m o n t h s in C o r i n t h . A s a m a t t e r o f fact, t h e e n t i r e Corinthian church e n j o y e d Gaius' hospitality o n occasion. S o if G a i u s lived t h e r e , a n d P a u l a n d T e r t i u s s t a y e d t h e r e a n d c o m p o s e d t h e letter to t h e R o m a n s t h e r e , t h e n G a i u s n o d o u b t l i s t e n e d in n o w a n d t h e n , a s k e d a q u e s t i o n o n c e in a while, and perhaps even offered suggestions. T h e s e m e n w e r e close friends, you k n o w ; Gaius was o n e of t h e f e w b e l i e v e r s w h o m P a u l h i m s e l f b a p t i z e d . G a i u s , his wife, a n d their servants surely provided meals for Paul and Tertius, along with mid-morning and mid-afternoon " c o f f e e b r e a k s . " I c a n i m a g i n e that d u r i n g t h e s e lighter m o m e n t s t h e conversation i n c l u d e d politics, b u s i n e s s , s p o r t s , a n d t h e w e a t h e r i n C o r i n t h , as well as t h e i m p u t a t i o n of s i n , j u s t i f i c a t i o n b y faith, b e i n g m o r e t h a n c o n q u e r o r s , G o d ' s s o v e r e i g n t y , I s r a e l ' s f u t u r e , spiritual gifts, r e s p o n s i b i l ities of c i t i z e n s h i p , t h e g r a y a r e a s o f life, e t c . , d e p e n d i n g o n w h e r e t h e y w e r e in t h e letter to t h e R o m a n s that particular d a y . I c a n ' t c o n c e i v e of P a u l a n d T e r t i u s s h u t t i n g t h e m s e l v e s u p in a r o o m for t w e l v e h o u r s e v e r y d a y , h a v i n g t h e i r f o o d s l i p p e d u n d e r t h e d o o r , n o t e n g a g i n g in a n y s m a l l talk w i t h e a c h o t h e r , o r r e f u s i n g to d i s c u s s t h e n a t u r e a n d p r o g r e s s of their l o n g , i m p o r t a n t letter w i t h a n y o n e e l s e b e c a u s e it w a s " t o p s e c r e t . " I feel c e r t a i n , a l s o , that E r a s t u s a n d Q u a r t u s d r o p p e d by f r e q u e n t l y a n d g o t i n v o l v e d in n u m e r o u s d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h P a u l a n d h i s f r i e n d s a b o u t life in g e n e r a l a n d t h e letter to t h e R o m a n s j r L p a r t i c u l a r ( 1 6 : 2 3 ) . T h e s a m e g o e s for T i m o t h y , L u c i u s , J a s o n , a n d S o s i p a t e r ( 1 6 : 2 1 ) . 35

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING T h e s e i n c i d e n t s a n d c o n v e r s a t i o n s could have happened. T h e text d o e s n ' t s a y t h a t t h e y d i d , b u t g i v e n t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l s m e n t i o n e d in R o m a n s 1 6 : 2 1 - 2 3 , it is certainly n o t w r o n g to a s s u m e that a lot of i n t e r p e r s o n a l i n t e r a c t i o n t o o k p l a c e . S o , in t h e a b s e n c e of a n y " C o r i n t h i a n C a s s e t t e T a p e s , " l e t ' s u s e o u r i m a g i n a t i o n w i t h r e g a r d to s o m e of t h e t h i n g s that m i g h t h a v e h a p p e n e d . E r a s t u s was a p r o m i n e n t f i g u r e in C o r i n t h — t h e city treasurer no less. W h e n you preach R o m a n s 1 3 : 1 - 7 , bring h i m i n t o a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h Paul a b o u t civil g o v e r n m e n t a n d , m o r e specifically, t a x e s . Q u a r t u s is d e s c r i b e d s i m p l y as " o u r b r o t h e r . " W h i l e w r i t i n g R o m a n s 1 2 : 1 0 Paul m i g h t h a v e a s k e d T e r t i u s w h o h a d b e e n t h e r e that m o r n i n g w h o e x e m p l i f i e d this t r u t h . T e r t i u s m i g h t h a v e quickly i d e n t i f i e d Q u a r t u s , g i v i n g a practical e x a m p l e of his b r o t h e r l y l o v e , a n d t h e n c o m m e n t i n g o n t h e fact that it was unusua) for the y o u n g e s t of f o u r b r o t h e r s ( Q u a r t u s = " f o u r t h " ) t o b e s o m a t u r e in l o v i n g i n t e r p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s , or p e r h a p s it w a s t h e p o w e r f u l , p o s i t i v e m o d e l i n g of h i s t h r e e o l d e r b r o t h e r s that p r o d u c e d it. O r p e r h a p s h e w a s a n o n l y child b o r n o n t h e f o u r t h d a y of the m o n t h a n d h i s p a r e n t s p r o v i d e d h i m with a positive example. T h e s e a r e t h e k i n d s of t h i n g s ^you c a n d o to c r e a t i v e l y r e - c r e a t e t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e text. A t t i m e s , l i s t e n i n g to a n e x p o s i t i o n of S c r i p t u r e is a b o u t a s e x c i t i n g a s w a t c h i n g h o u s e p a i n t d r y . A d d a d a s h o f color t o y o u r c o m m u n i c a t i o n of t h e W o r d . Y o u c a n b e faithful t o t h e text a n d still u s e y o u r imagination. S p i r i t e d i n t e r a c t i o n b e t w e e n Paul a n d T e r t i u s p r o b a b l y w e n t o n f r e q u e n t l y d u r i n g t h e w r i t i n g of R o m a n s . T o v i s u a l i z e Paul a s a n a l o o f , i m p e r s o n a l p u r v e y o r o f p r o s a i c , cold f a c t s , a n d T e r t i u s a s a p a s s i v e , s h a l l o w , r e c e i v e r of t h e s e facts is u n r e a l i s t i c . Belief in t h e " G o d - b r e a t h e d n e s s " of t h e W o r d d o e s n o t r e q u i r e u s to rule o u t h u m a n r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n c o m p o s e r a n d s e c r e t a r y . W e d o n o t h a v e to sacrifice t h e h u m a n p e r s o n a l i t i e s o f P a u l a n d T e r t i u s o n the altar o f inspiration. Let's creatively re-create what might have h a p p e n e d in t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f R o m a n s 1 2 : 2 . 36

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text The time:

Friday evening, about 9:30.

The place: C o r i n t h , at G a i u s ' l a r g e , c o m f o r t a b l e h o m e in the suburbs. The people: Paul a n d T e r t i u s . E r a s t u s got free t i c k e t s , a n d h e a n d t h e r e s t of t h e h o u s e h o l d are off to t h e I s t h m i a n G a m e s b e i n g h e l d at t h e C o r i n t h i a n C o l i s e u m . E x c e p t f o r J a s o n , S o s i p a t e r , a n d T i m o t h y — i t ' s their n i g h t t o b o w l in t h e Corinthian Christian League. The room: A n e n c l o s e d p o r c h off t h e living r o o m . T h e floor is m a d e of large s l a b s of l i m e s t o n e . T h e r o o f is c o n s t r u c t e d o f large b e a m s fairly c l o s e t o g e t h e r , w i t h r e e d s a n d b u s h e s laid o n t o p a n d a h a r d clay o v e r t h e s e . T h e w a l l s are m u d bricks. T h e w o o d e n doors on the w i n d o w s are wide o p e n t h i s fall e v e n i n g , w i t h a l a t t i c e - w o r k w o o d e n s c r e e n that g i v e s s o m e p r i v a c y a n d a d m i t s t h e c o o l b r e e z e . T h e d o o r s a r e m a d e of h e a v y s y c a m o r e , s a g g i n g a b i t o n t h e heavy iron hinges. The furnishings: A n oil l a m p o n t h e c o r n e r t a b l e ; a n o t h e r one on the desk, where Tertius writes on sheets of papyrus w i t h his quill a n d i n k . A stool i n t h e c o r n e r , a c o u c h a g a i n s t t h e w a l l , a n d p l e n t y of r o o m in t h e m i d d l e for P a u l t o p o n d e r and pace back and forth as h e formulates the Spirit-inspired letter t o t h e b e l i e v e r s in R o m e . T h a t s e t s t h e s c e n e . N o w w e o p e n t h e c u r t a i n s a n d listen to a dialogue between Paul and Tertius.

words:

P a u l p a u s e s for a m o m e n t , t h e n s l o w l y a d d s f o u r m o r e "to thelema tou theou."

" ' T h e will of G o d . ' A h ! I a m b e g i n n i n g to s e e w h a t y o u are driving at, Paul. A s our m i n d s are r e n e w e d by the Scriptures, w e are b e i n g e q u i p p e d to figure out for ourselves in v a r i o u s life s i t u a t i o n s w h a t t h e will of G o d i s . T h a t ' s a great c o n c e p t , P a u l . T h e p e o p l e in R o m e s h o u l d a p p r e c i a t e 37

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING it. I k n o w I s u r e d o . O k a y , t h a t ' s e n o u g h ! It's late. C a n w e p u t a p e r i o d t h e r e a n d quit till t o m o r r o w m o r n i n g ? I ' m getting writer's c r a m p . " T h e stocky apostle stood motionless, meditating. T h e n , d r i v i n g a c l e n c h e d fist i n t o t h e p a l m of h i s h a n d , h e b l u r t e d , " N o , T e r t i u s , w e c a n ' t s t o p y e t ! T h i s is t h e first t i m e in this letter that I've u s e d ' t h e will of G o d ' in this w a y . It's too i m p o r t a n t to l e a v e it d a n g l i n g there o n its o w n . W e n e e d to add something." " W e l l , . . . o k a y . . . b u t c o u l d w e m a k e it q u i c k ? I c a n hardly focus on the papyrus, m y eyes are so tired." " M i n e , t o o . . . n o w w h a t w e n e e d is a n a d j e c t i v e that will c a p t u r e t h e n a t u r e of t h e will of G o d . H o w c o u l d w e d o t h i s ? . . . y e s . . . h e r e . . . write this d o w n . . . to agathon." " 'To agathon'

it is. W h y this w o r d , P a u l ? "

" B e c a u s e it signifies that w h i c h is m o r a l l y g o o d in r e l a t i o n t o G o d . I m i g h t h a v e u s e d kalos, b u t s o m e t i m e s it h a s t h e i d e a of a e s t h e t i c b e a u t y . " " A n d w h a t y o u a r e s a y i n g is t h a t t h e will o f G o d f o r t h e b e l i e v e r will a l w a y s b e that w h i c h is e s s e n t i a l l y g o o d . " "Exactly . . .

as o p p o s e d to t h a t w h i c h is b a d . "

" T h e oil is g e t t i n g l o w in t h e l a m p . C a n w e call it a day?" " C a n ' t s t o p n o w , T e r t i u s ! P e o p l e m a y t e n d to t h i n k t h a t t h e will of G o d is p r i m a r i l y 'list l i v i n g ' — s l a v i s h o b e d i e n c e to t h i n g s that a r e right, r e j e c t i o n o f t h i n g s t h a t are w r o n g . It is t h a t , b u t it is more t h a n t h a t . " " I see your point, but "Euareston.

..."

W r i t e it d o w n , T e r t i u s , m y b o y . " 38

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text " N o t s u r e I k n o w h o w to spell it . . . " "E-u-a-r-e-s-t-o-n. Y o u k n o w this w o r d . O f t e n u s e d in a f a m i l y c o n t e x t w i t h r e f e r e n c e to t h e o b e d i e n t c h i l d . H e o r s h e is euareston — p l e a s i n g to his p a r e n t s . " A brief p a u s e , t h e n w i t h a t w i n k l e in h i s e y e , P a u l m u s e d , " M a y b e y o u r f a t h e r d i d n ' t u s e it v e r y o f t e n w i t h r e g a r d to y o u r b e h a v i o r w h e n you were growing u p ! " " I g u e s s n o t . I w a s p r e t t y w i l d in m y y o u n g e r y e a r s . " " W e l l , let m e tell y o u s o m e t h i n g v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g a b o u t this w o r d . T h e o t h e r d a y I w a s r e a d i n g in t h e G r e e k t r a n s l a t i o n of t h e H e b r e w S c r i p t u r e s — y o u k n o w , t h e S e p t u a g i n t — a n d e a r l y in G e n e s i s [5:22] t h e H e b r e w text s a y s t h a t 'Enoch walked with G o d . ' Guess h o w they translated ' w a l k e d ' ? 'Euareston.' E n o c h was 'pleasing' to G o d . " " N o w y o u ' v e g o t m y j u i c e s f l o w i n g , P a u l . T h e last t i m e I w a s in J e r u s a l e m I a t t e n d e d a s y m p o s i u m o n t h e s a y i n g s o f C h r i s t , a n d I clearly recall t h e a p o s t l e J o h n q u o t i n g C h r i s t a s s a y i n g t h a t H e a l w a y s did t h a t w h i c h w a s ' p l e a s i n g ' to H i s heavenly Father." " S e e h o w o n e little w o r d h e l p s , T e r t i u s ? D o t h e will of G o d , a n d y o u will b e e n g a g e d in a lifestyle p l e a s i n g t o H i m . " " A n d if y o u a r e p l e a s i n g G o d , y o u w o u l d n o d o u b t b e pleasing your parents, and your boss, even your pastor." " P r e c i s e l y ! A n d w h e n o n e is d i s a p p o i n t i n g h i s p a r e n t s , h e is p r o b a b l y d i s a p p o i n t i n g G o d . S e e w h a t I a m d r i v i n g a t ? I w a n t t h e m t o h a v e a c o n c e p t of t h e will of G o d t h a t is personal, as well as propositional." " R i g h t ! . . . All k i d d i n g a s i d e , P a u l , I a m really w i p e d o u t ! It w o u l d b e p l e a s i n g t o m e if w e c o u l d e n d it right h e r e . " " S t a y with m e , Tertius! Every sermon needs three p o i n t s . L e t m e give y o u o n e m o r e a d j e c t i v e to s h e d a d d i t i o n a l light o n t h e m e a n i n g of ' t h e will of G o d . ' " 39

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING " O k a y ! B u t m a k e it q u i c k , or w e a r e g o i n g to n e e d m o r e oil to s h e d light o n t h e m a n u s c r i p t . " "Teleion." "T-e-l-e-i-o-n, grown

m e a n i n g . . . d o n ' t tell m e . . . ' m a t u r e ,

up.'"

" A b s o l u t e l y ! T h e will of G o d will a l w a y s b e the m a t u r e attitude. T h e grown-up action." " A n d t h e o p p o s i t e a p p r o a c h to life is to t h i n k a n d act i m m a t u r e l y , like a b a b y . I t h i n k I p e r f o r m e d like that t h e o t h e r d a y w h e n I g o t s o f r u s t r a t e d at n o t b e i n g able t o find m y s a n d a l s , a n d e v e n w e n t to t h e p o i n t of a c c u s i n g T i m o t h y of t a k i n g t h e m . " " G o o d i n s i g h t , T e r t i u s . S h o w s y o u a r e g r o w i n g . . . . All r i g h t , w e a r e t h r o u g h for t h e d a y . S l e e p in a bit t o m o r r o w , if y o u w a n t t o . W e w o n ' t start till s e v e n o ' c l o c k ! " T h r o u g h an imaginative dialogue that could have h a p p e n e d , w e h a v e d e v e l o p e d w h a t m i g h t b e p a r t or e v e n all o f a s e r m o n o n t h r e e a d j e c t i v e s that a r e u s e d to d e s c r i b e t h e n a t u r e o f t h e will o f G o d . Paul d i d n ' t h a v e to u s e a n y descriptive words, but h e chose to. H e didn't have to u s e t h r e e , b u t h e c h o s e t o . H e d i d n ' t h a v e to u s e t h e s e t h r e e , b u t he chose to. H e didn't have to use Tertius, but he chose to. H e d i d all t h e s e t h i n g s w i t h m e a n i n g a n d p u r p o s e . W h a t w e are s e e k i n g to d o is c a p t u r e t h e m e a n i n g a n d p u r p o s e of t h e text t h r o u g h t h e c r e a t i v e m e d i u m of a d i a l o g u e , a d i a l o g u e that w e l l m i g h t h a v e o c c u r r e d . E v e n if it d i d n ' t o c c u r a s w e h a v e i m a g i n e d , a s l o n g a s t h e r e is n o t h i n g false o r m i s l e a d i n g in t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n w e h a v e d e s i g n e d , it is c e r t a i n l y a l e g i t i m a t e m e t h o d of c o m m u n i c a t i n g t h e t r u t h of t h e text. T h i s k i n d of d i a l o g u e c a n b e d o n e a n y w h e r e in R o m a n s , o r in a n y o t h e r p o r t i o n of S c r i p t u r e w h e r e a s c r i b e a n d t h e a u t h o r w e r e f u n c t i o n i n g togeth&r. It c o u l d b e d o n e 40

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text as a d r a m a t i c m o n o l o g u e , w i t h o n e p e r s o n s p e a k i n g b o t h p a r t s ; or t w o p e o p l e d o i n g it " l i v e " ; o r p r e r e c o r d e d

and

p l a y e d t h r o u g h t h e s o u n d s y s t e m a s p a r t of t h e s e r m o n ; or done with the preacher having a dialogue with an offstage, live, v o i c e t h r o u g h t h e s o u n d s y s t e m . T h e p r e a c h e r c o u l d play o n e o r b o t h r o l e s , or h e c o u l d t u r n it o v e r t o o t h e r staff m e m b e r s , o r e n l i s t t h e s e r v i c e s of qualified l a y p e o p l e in t h e congregation. O u r sample from R o m a n s could be expanded into a w h o l e s e r m o n , or c o n d e n s e d t o b e j u s t a brief illustration, and/or the dialogue could be carried on into the realm of p e r s o n a l , practical a p p l i c a t i o n . G a i u s a n d S o s i p a t e r arrive o n t h e s c e n e a n d g e t i n v o l v e d in t h e

could

discussion.

R e g a r d l e s s of h o w it is d e v e l o p e d a n d d e l i v e r e d , d o n ' t l o s e sight of t h e fact t h a t t h e p u r p o s e is to c r e a t i v e l y r e - c r e a t e t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g o f t h e text a n d , i n s o d o i n g , t o e x p o u n d t h e text with a d d e d historical, cultural, personal, a n d interpersonal dimensions. W e t u r n to t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t to illustrate a n o t h e r w a y of c a p t u r i n g t h e historical-cultural life-setting o f t h e text. In t h e B o o k o f E c c l e s i a s t e s , S o l o m o n is p r o b a b l y d e l i v e r i n g a series o f i n s i g h t f u l f i r e s i d e c h a t s t o t h e o l d e r a n d y o u n g e r m e m b e r s of h i s c o u r t . I n 7 : 1 3 - 1 4 h e r e l a t e s G o d to t h e g o o d a n d b a d , s t r a i g h t a n d c r o o k e d e x p e r i e n c e s of life. T h i s brief, i n s p i r e d , literary v i g n e t t e o n t h e s o v e r e i g n t y of G o d h a d s o m e k i n d of life-setting. It m i g h t h a v e b e e n s o m e t h i n g like this: T h e sun sank slowly into the Mediterranean, bathing t h e t e m p l e b u i l d i n g s in a w a r m , r e d g l o w . It w a s a b o u t s e v e n o'clock w h e n Solomon wheeled his chariot into the palace p a r k i n g lot a n d h e a d e d for h i s r e s e r v e d s p o t n e a r t h e buildings. His weekly meeting with his Cabinet and other l e a d e r s in t h e n a t i o n Israel w a s s c h e d u l e d for 7:30 o n this T h u r s d a y e v e n i n g . A s t h e k i n g s t e p p e d d o w n f r o m his c h a r i o t , h e p a u s e d to w a i t for T o n y , w h o h a d j u s t p u l l e d in alongside him. 41

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING " H i there, Tony! Had a good d a y ? " " N o t really! T e r r i b l e , as a m a t t e r o f f a c t . " "What

happened?"

" W e l l , I've b e e n u p w i t h m y little b o y , E b e n e z e r , s i n c e t h r e e t h i s m o r n i n g . I t h i n k h e h a s t h e B a b y l o n i a n flu. It's b e e n g o i n g a r o u n d t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d . T h e n o n t h e w a y to w o r k , m y right c h a r i o t w h e e l fell off a n d I s p r a i n e d m y b a c k g e t t i n g it o n . T h a t m e a n t I g o t to w o r k a b o u t a n h o u r a n d a half l a t e . " A n d w o u l d n ' t y o u k n o w i t — t h e c a m e l c a r a v a n d u e in f r o m D a m a s c u s at n o o n w a s o v e r f o u r h o u r s late. I d e s p e r a t e l y n e e d e d that s h i p m e n t of M o a b m i n i s k i r t s a n d A s s y r i a n s o c k e t w r e n c h e s this m o r n i n g . " F i n a l l y , I g o t h o m e a n d w a s r e l a x i n g in t h e front r o o m a n d g u e s s w h a t — t h e p a p e r b o y t h r e w t h e Jerusalem Journal right t h r o u g h t h e f r o n t w i n d o w . A n d m a y I r e m i n d y o u — w e t a k e t h e S a n d s t o n e e d i t i o n . W h a t a m e s s ! T o t o p it off, w h i l e w e w e r e all c l e a n i n g u p t h e living r o o m , C l a u d i a ' s s u p p e r b u r n e d to a crisp a n d w e e n d e d u p e a t i n g l e f t o v e r , cold C h a l d e a n c a s s e r o l e . " A l l in all, it h a s b e e n a terrible, h o r r i b l e , n o - g o o d , v e r y bad d a y ! " " W h a t a d a y ! H o w d o y o u h a n d l e all t h o s e u n e x p e c t e d , unwelcome events?" " I d o n ' t k n o w . S o m e t i m e s I try a n d figure o u t h o w I c o u l d h a v e p l a n n e d a h e a d to a v o i d t h e i n t e r r u p t i o n s . S o m e t i m e s I g e t g o o d a n d m a d . S o m e t i m e s I j u s t give u p , p a s s i v e l y r e s i g n i n g m y s e l f to t h e fact of f a t e — t h a t ' s t h e w a y life i s . " " L e t ' s g o i n s i d e , T o n y , t h e m e e t i n g is a b o u t to star*. L i s t e n c a r e f u l l y ! W h a t I h a v e to s a y s h o u l d h e l p y o u w o r k y o u r w a y t h r o u g h t h e s e k i n d s of d a y s . " 42

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text W e c a n sit in o n this m e s s a g e t o o , b e c a u s e it is r e c o r d e d for u s in E c c l e s i a s t e s 7 : 1 3 - 1 4 . T o n y w a s t h e f i g m e n t of m y i m a g i n a t i o n . B u t there c o u l d h a v e b e e n a T o n y in S o l o m o n ' s c o u r t , a n d h e could have had a bad day, and he could have been there when t h e s e c o n c e p t s w e r e p r e s e n t e d . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e r e could w e l l h a v e b e e n s o m e h u m o r in T o n y ' s e x p e r i e n c e . Life is f u n n y a s w e l l a s s e r i o u s , a n d o u r p r e a c h i n g s h o u l d reflect this b a l a n c e . T h e i n t r o d u c t i o n w e h a v e s u g g e s t e d c o n t a i n s a b r i e f d i a l o g u e of h u m o r o u s r e a l i s m — r e a l i s m that w o u l d p a v e t h e w a y for a c a r e f u l e x p o s i t i o n of t w o v e r s e s that deal p r o f o u n d l y a n d a n d practically w i t h t h e d o c t r i n e of the s o v e r e i g n t y of G o d . Y o u m i g h t b r i n g T o n y o n t o t h e p l a t f o r m live a n d i n t e r v i e w h i m . Y o u m i g h t get t w o l a y m e n o r staff a n d h a v e t h e m p r e s e n t this in skit f o r m a t at t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e m e s s a g e . O r T o n y c o u l d b e i n t e r v i e w e d at t h e c l o s e of t h e s e r m o n to s e e h o w h e is g o i n g to a p p l y t h e s e t r u t h s in the f u t u r e . T o n y ' s w i f e , C l a u d i a , c o u l d also b e a part of a n y of t h e s e s c e n e s , a s c o u l d his y o u n g c h i l d r e n o r t e e n a g e r s . T o n y c o u l d b e a s e a s o n e d saint o r a b r a n d - n e w b e l i e v e r . U s e y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n ! M a k e t h e S c r i p t u r e s c o m e alive! INNER-LIFE-SETTING T o t h i s p o i n t w e h a v e dealt w i t h l i f e - s e t t i n g s a s t h e y relate to c e r t a i n a s p e c t s of l a n g u a g e , h i s t o r y , a n d c u l t u r e . O u r a p p r o a c h h a s b e e n p r i m a r i l y i n t e r p e r s o n a l . B u t t h e r e is a l s o a n intrapersonal a s p e c t — t h a t is, w h a t g o e s o n w i t h i n t h e p e r s o n . F o r e x a m p l e , J e s u s told t h e d i s c i p l e s his h e a r t w a s t r o u b l e d a s h e c o n t e m p l a t e d t h e a g o n y of t h e c r o s s ( J o h n 12:27). P a u l r e v e a l e d to t h e R o m a n s h i s p e r p e t u a l s o r r o w a n d a n g u i s h o v e r h i s u n s a v e d b r e t h r e n in Israel ( 9 : 1 - 5 ) . In t h e p a r a b l e of t h e P r o d i g a l S o n , w e k n o w w h a t t h e y o u n g m a n said to h i m s e l f w h e n h e c a m e to his s e n s e s in t h e p i g p e n ( L u k e 1 5 : 1 7 - 1 9 ) . In t h e P s a l m s w e a r e f r e q u e n t l y g i v e n i n s i g h t a b o u t t h e i n n e r state o f t h e a u t h o r , a s in P s a l m 4 3 : 5 . H o w e v e r , t h e r e a r e m a n y p o r t i o n s of S c r i p t u r e w h e r e 43

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING w h a t is g o i n g o n i n s i d e t h e i n d i v i d u a l is n o t explicitly r e v e a l e d , y e t it w o u l d aid o u r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n a n d a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e text if w e k n e w w h a t t h e p e r s o n w a s t h i n k i n g a n d feeling. That's w h e r e w e bring our imagination into play. T h a t ' s w h e r e w e c r e a t i v e l y r e - c r e a t e t h e life-setting a n d t h e n p r o b e t h e i n n e r r e c e s s e s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l ( s ) i n v o l v e d in t h e text. W h a t w a s h e t h i n k i n g ? H o w w a s s h e r e a c t i n g ? H o w d o t h e y feel a b o u t t h a t ? W h y did h e s a y t h a t ? W h y did s h e d o t h a t ? A s k i n g a n d a n s w e r i n g s u c h q u e s t i o n s will e n a b l e u s to d i s c o v e r a n d d e v e l o p t h e i n n e r - l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e text. A c t u a l l y , w e h a v e a l r e a d y d o n e s o m e o f this i n t e r n a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n . W e h a v e s e e n h o w s t r o n g l y P a u l felt a b o u t t h e " e q u i p p i n g " n a t u r e of t h e W o r d . W e h a v e t h o u g h t a l o n g w i t h h i m a s h e m e n t a l l y d e c i d e d o n t h r e e a d j e c t i v e s to a m p l i f y t h e m e a n i n g of t h e will of G o d . W e h a v e tried to r e a d t h e m i n d o f a tired T e r t i u s . W e h a v e s u g g e s t e d a p o s s i b l e i n c i d e n t that m i g h t h a v e c a u s e d S o l o m o n to a r r a n g e h i s t h o u g h t s a s p r e s e n t e d t o u s in E c c l e s i a s t e s 7 : 1 3 - 1 4 . P e t e r o f f e r s u s p l e n t y of i n n e r - l i f e d a t a . L e t ' s d o s o m e p e r c e p t i v e p e e k i n g i n s i d e this o f t e n i m p e t u o u s m a n . In M a t t h e w 1 6 : 1 3 - 1 5 , Jesus moved from a general question, " W h o d o p e o p l e s a y t h e S o n of M a n i s ? " to a specific question, " W h o do you say I a m ? " H o w would you compare the internal pressure on the d i s c i p l e s w i t h r e f e r e n c e to t h e s e t w o q u e s t i o n s ? T h e s e c o n d i n v o l v e s m o r e p r e s s u r e b e c a u s e it is m o r e p e r s o n a l i z e d a n d thus m o r e threatening. Right? S o y o u might profitably a n a l y z e C h r i s t ' s p u r p o s e in g o i n g f r o m t h e g e n e r a l to t h e s p e c i f i c w i t h H i s d i s c i p l e s . Y o u c o u l d also s e e k to c r a w l i n s i d e t h e m i n d o f o n e or m o r e of t h e d i s c i p l e s a n d f i g u r e o u t w h a t k i n d o f a trip h i s e g o w a s t a k i n g at t h a t m o m e n t . W a s h e s o a r i n g w i t h i n s i g h t , o r s e a r c h i n g for i d e n t i t y ? Peter c o m e s up with the a n s w e r , " Y o u are the Christ, t h e S o n o f t h e living G o d " ( 1 6 : 1 6 ) . W h e n ? A f t e r a p e r i o d of a w k w a r d s i l e n c e , or q u i c k l y b e f o r e a n y o f his c o l l e a g u e s h a d t i m e to r e s p o n d ? W h y ? T o s h o w t h e m u p , or to h e l p t h e m o u t ? W a s h e their r e c o g n i z e d s p o k e s m a n , o r a s e l f - a p p o i n t e d know-it-all? Was he a quick thinker, or a p u s h y egotist? W a s 44

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text h e t r y i n g to get o n t o p , o r stay o n t o p ? T h e s e a r e t h e k i n d s of q u e s t i o n s t h a t will h e l p u s u n d e r s t a n d t h e i n n e r - l i f e - s e t t i n g of this text. In M a t t h e w 1 6 : 1 7 - 1 9 J e s u s g i v e s w o r d s o f p r a i s e a n d a f f i r m a t i o n to P e t e r , b u t m a k e s it quite c l e a r t h a t P e t e r h a d n ' t c o m e to his c o r r e c t c o n c l u s i o n a b o u t w h o C h r i s t w a s o n his o w n ; this t r u t h w a s r e v e a l e d to h i m b y t h e F a t h e r in h e a v e n . I w o n d e r if P e t e r h e a r d t h e s e latter f a c t s . I w o n d e r if the " b l e s s e d are y o u " w a s b o o m i n g a w a y , o v e r a n d o v e r in his m i n d , e s s e n t i a l l y d r o w n i n g o u t e v e r y t h i n g else t h e L o r d h a d to s a y . In m y o w n e x p e r i e n c e I find it t e m p t i n g to r e p l a y a f f i r m a t i o n t a p e s o v e r a n d o v e r , letting t h e m inflate m y fragile e g o , p o s s i b l y b l o c k i n g o u t o t h e r n e e d e d i n s i g h t s . W h e n w e d o well a n d p e o p l e p r a i s e u s , w a t c h o u t . A t t h e p o i n t of p r a i s e w e b e c o m e v e r y v u l n e r a b l e . O n e of t h e m a i n r e a s o n s w h y w e s e n s e t h a t P e t e r w a s m a j o r i n g o n h i m s e l f is w h a t h a p p e n e d in M a t t h e w 1 6 : 2 1 - 2 3 . T h e L o r d b e g a n to t e a c h H i s d i s c i p l e s a b o u t H i s c o m i n g suffering and death. Peter evaluated what the Lord was s a y i n g , d e c i d e d h e d i d n ' t like it, t o o k H i m a s i d e , a n d tried to straighten H i m out. K n o w i n g t h a t h e h a d some of t h e right a n s w e r s , P e t e r fell i n t o t h e t r a p of t h i n k i n g h e h a d all t h e right a n s w e r s — o r at l e a s t more of t h e right a n s w e r s t h a n t h e L o r d h a d at this point. That's a glimpse of the inner-life-setting of M a t t h e w 16:22. W e are watching a m a n function with arrogant sincerity. I n a c c u r a t e self-talk will p r o d u c e s u c h a p a r a d o x . M a t t h e w 16:23 c o n t a i n s C h r i s t ' s r e b u k e to P e t e r . H e p u t t h e disciple in S a t a n ' s c a m p . H o w d i d this m a k e P e t e r feel? D i d h e have e n o u g h insight to work his w a y through such a s t i n g i n g r e b u k e ? D i d t h e w o r d s in 1 6 : 2 4 - 2 8 s p e a k to P e t e r ' s ego problems? W e could go on through the Gospels and study Peter's i n n e r - l i f e - s e t t i n g in v a r i o u s s i t u a t i o n s — h i s v o w n e v e r to d i s o w n t h e L o r d , h i s t h r e e f o l d d e n i a l of C h r i s t , his bitter w e e p i n g , his c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h t h e r i s e n C h r i s t a b o u t l o v i n g s h e e p . T h e n w e c o u l d t u r n t o A c t s , w h e r e P e t e r r e g a i n s his 45

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING b o l d n e s s a n d l o s e s his p r e j u d i c e . A n d finally i n t o his t w o letters w h e r e , a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , h e tells his r e a d e r s to Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6). P e t e r k n e w w h a t h e w a s talking a b o u t . A s w e h a v e s a i d , s o m e t e x t s clearly p r e s e n t t h e i n n e r l i f e - s e t t i n g . O t h e r s d o n o t . W h e r e t h e text d o e s d o it, w e s h o u l d i n c l u d e it in o u r s t u d y a n d e x p o s i t i o n . W h e r e t h e i n n e r - l i f e - s e t t i n g is n o t o v e r t l y s t a t e d , w e s h o u l d carefully p r o b e t h e t h o u g h t s a n d f e e l i n g s of t h e p e o p l e i n v o l v e d a n d u s e t h e s e i n s i g h t s t o e n h a n c e o u r c o m m u n i c a t i o n of t h e t r u t h . T h e Bible s a y s too m u c h a b o u t t h e i n n e r m a n for u s to n e g l e c t it in o u r p r e a c h i n g . D e v e l o p i n g t h e i n n e r - l i f e - s e t t i n g will c a u s e u s t o b e m o r e b i o g r a p h i c a l i n o u r s t u d y a n d o u r p r e a c h i n g of t h e biblical text. It will s t i m u l a t e u s to t h i n k p e r s o n a l l y a s w e l l as p r o p o s i t i o n a l l y . It will e n a b l e u s to d e v e l o p n o t o n l y t h e d o c t r i n e of t h e text, b u t also t h e d r a m a of t h e text. 4

W h o s e i n n e r life a r e w e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t ? M o s e s ' i n n e r life. J o b ' s i n n e r life. T h e p s a l m i s t s ' i n n e r lives. S o l o m o n ' s i n n e r life. T h e p r o p h e t s ' i n n e r lives. T h e d i s c i p l e s ' i n n e r lives. L u k e ' s i n n e r life. P a u l ' s i n n e r life. In s h o r t , t h e i n n e r lives of all t h e biblical a u t h o r s . W h a t is g o i n g o n i n s i d e t h e s e biblical a u t h o r s a s t h e y w r o t e t h e i n s p i r e d text is h i g h l y s i g n i f i c a n t , b e c a u s e h o w t h e y felt a n d t h o u g h t i n f l u e n c e d w h a t t h e y said a n d h o w t h e y said it. It is u p to t h e p r e a c h e r to w o r k diligently to u n d e r s t a n d b o t h t h e text a n d w h a t w a s g o i n g o n in t h e life o f t h e a u t h o r s a s t h e y c o m p o s e d t h e text. W e a r e also to b e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t t h e i n n e r lives o f t h e r e c i p i e n t s of t h e text. W h a t w e r e t h e y t h i n k i n g a n d f e e l i n g a s t h e y r e a d it or l i s t e n e d t o s o m e o n e e l s e r e a d it? W a s t h i s t r u t h n e w to t h e m ? R e m i n d i n g a n d r e i n f o r c i n g w h a t t h e y already k n e w ? Correcting them? Convicting them? Complimenting them? W e r e they resisting? Accepting? T h e better w e u n d e r s t a n d t h e i n n e r life of t h e original r e c i p i e n t s , t h e m o r e r e l e v a n t w e c a n b e to t h e i n n e r life of t h e c u r r e n t recipients—namely, your congregation and you. 46

Creatively Re-Creating the Life-Setting of the Text IN

SUMMARY

T h e c h a l l e n g e o f this c h a p t e r h a s b e e n to creatively r e c r e a t e t h e life-setting of t h e biblical text. " L i f e - s e t t i n g " s i m p l y m e a n s t h e t h i n g s t h a t g o o n in a n d around a n d between t h e i n d i v i d u a l ( s ) a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e text. T h e S c r i p t u r e d o e s n o t a l w a y s r e v e a l to u s w h a t t h e s e t h i n g s a r e . T o the e x t e n t t h a t t h e y w o u l d b e h e l p f u l to o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e text, w e c a n l e g i t i m a t e l y u s e o u r i m a g i n a tion to c r e a t i v e l y r e - c r e a t e c e r t a i n s i g n i f i c a n t a s p e c t s of t h e life-setting of t h a t text. O u r p u r p o s e is n o t t o i m p o s e o u r c u l t u r e a n d i d e a s o n S c r i p t u r e , b u t to e x p o s e i n t e r e s t i n g a n d i n f o r m a t i v e d e t a i l s a b o u t t h e t e x t — t h e o b v i o u s , a n d the n o t s o - o b v i o u s . C r e a t i v i t y a n d i m a g i n a t i o n a r e u s e d to d e v e l o p those things that are not immediately obvious. W e f o c u s e d o u r a t t e n t i o n o n t h r e e s e l e c t e d f a c e t s of t h e life-setting o f t h e text. First, w e l o o k e d at d i f f e r e n t w a y s a n a u t h o r u s e s w o r d s to e m p h a s i z e a n d i n t e n s i f y . G r a n t e d , it is all G o d ' s W o r d , b u t G o d d o e s n o t c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h a n i n s i p i d m o n o t o n e . W e n e e d to p a y c l o s e a t t e n t i o n to w h a t H e s a y s a n d h o w H e s a y s it. S e c o n d , w e d e v o t e d t i m e to lifes e t t i n g in its i n t e r p e r s o n a l d i m e n s i o n , s h o w i n g h o w w e c a n raise o u r a n t e n n a e a n d f i n e - t u n e o u r r e c e i v e r s to p i c k u p biblical c o n v e r s a t i o n s that will h e l p u s to u n d e r s t a n d a n d to a p p l y t h e t r u t h s of t h e text. T h i r d , w e i n v e s t i g a t e d i n n e r - l i f e s e t t i n g s , d i r e c t i n g o u r a t t e n t i o n to w h a t is o r c o u l d b e g o i n g o n i n s i d e biblical c h a r a c t e r s . T h e s e p e o p l e w e r e n o t h o l l o w s e r v a n t s . T h e y w e r e full o f v i m , v i g o r , a n d vitality, a s w e l l a s some problems. Life-settings are helpful. U s e them!

47

4

Creatively Relating to the Life-Setting of the Congregation W

e h a v e b e e n d e a l i n g w i t h t h e life-setting of t h e text.

N o w it is t i m e t o m o v e t o t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e d i a g r a m a n d d e a l w i t h t h e life-setting of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n .

TEXT

PREACHER PREACHING

CONGREGATION

Figure 4.1 J u s t a s e v e r y text o f S c r i p t u r e h a s a life-setting, s o e v e r y h u m a n b e i n g h a s a life-setting. J u s t as it is i m p o r t a n t for u s to d i s c o v e r a n d d e v e l o p t h e life-setting of t h e text, s o it is a l s o i m p o r t a n t for u s to b e a w a r e of t h e life-setting of e a c h m e m b e r of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n . In this c h a p t e r w e s u g g e s t a n u m b e r of t h i n g s t h a t will h e l p u s b e c o m e a w a r e of a n d r e m a i n s e n s i t i v e to t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e p e o p l e to w h o m w e minister. 49

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING IDENTIFY Y O U R PEOPLE: W H O ARE

THEY?

Y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n is m o r e t h a n a g r o u p of p e o p l e w h o sit a n d listen to y o u p r e a c h e v e r y S u n d a y . E a c h p e r s o n is unique, with n u m e r o u s identities a n d multiple roles. Unless w e k e e p t h e s e f e a t u r e s in m i n d , w e will easily r e v e r t to g e n e r a l i z e d p r e a c h i n g to a s t e r e o t y p e d a u d i e n c e . " N o , " you say, " I offer m y people a sermonic m e n u t h a t h a s s o m e t h i n g for e v e r y i n d i v i d u a l ; t r u t h to m e e t e v e r y n e e d . " P e r h a p s y o u d o n o w a n d t h e n , b u t m o s t of t h e t i m e t h e m e n u s t a y s in t h e s t u d y a n d all y o u c^fer is " T o d a y ' s S p e c i a l , " w h i c h is u s u a l l y d e s i g n e d f o r t h e w h i t e , m i d d l e class, middle-aged, suburban male. W h o , then, are these customers w h o c o m e your w a y e a c h w e e k to i n g e s t y o u r spiritual f o o d ? W e l l , for s t a r t e r s , t h e y a r e male and female. A r e y o u c o n s c i o u s l y , specifically s p e a k i n g to b o t h s e x e s in e v e r y s e r m o n ? A r e y o u clearly a n d c o n s i s t e n t l y s e r v i n g t h e text to b o t h m e n a n d w o m e n ? Let's k e e p going. You can identify your people as they relate to t h e area o f m a r r i a g e a n d f a m i l y . H e r e is a s u g g e s t e d list: children adopted divorced in-laws wives singles widowed

mothers parents childless remarried sisters grandparents

separated fathers husbands relatives engaged brothers single parents

E v e r y p e r s o n in y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n fits into a n u m b e r o f t h e s e c a t e g o r i e s . T h e y a r e p a r t o f h i s or h e r life-setting. Every time you preach, single out o n e or more of these c a t e g o r i e s a n d relate t h e text to t h o s e n e e d s . H e r e is a list t h a t m o v e s categories: poor jogger

y o u n g adult healthy 50

into a number

sick addicted

of

other

Creatively Relating to the Life-Setting of the Congregation athlete black professional student elderly disabled self-employed

retired unemployed pastor wealthy Hispanic career woman

failure successful minority dying youth deacon teacher

A s y o u p r e p a r e for a c o m i n g s e r m o n , let y o u r m i n d r o a m t h r o u g h y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e y o u n g p e o p l e usually sit n e a r t h e f r o n t o n t h e left s i d e . T h e y a r e a f u n - l o v i n g g r o u p of f e l l o w s a n d g a l s . D o y o u u s e h u m o r n o w a n d t h e n in y o u r s e r m o n ? I h o p e s o , b e c a u s e t e e n a g e r s like to l a u g h , e v e n in church. S o m e o f t h e t e e n a g e r s a r e athletes. Is t h e r e s o m e w a y y o u c a n tie t h e biblical text t o w i n n i n g a n d l o s i n g , p l a y i n g first string or sitting o n t h e b e n c h , h i g h s c o r i n g v e r s u s h a r d l y ever scoring, submitting to the coach or " d o i n g your o w n t h i n g , " l o s i n g y o u r t e m p e r i n s t e a d of k e e p i n g y o u r c o o l , s t e w a r d s h i p o f o u r p h y s i c a l r e s o u r c e s , a c c e p t a n c e o f limitations? O u r four offspring w e r e quite involved in junior high a n d h i g h s c h o o l s p o r t s . A u d r e y a n d I s o u g h t to i n t e g r a t e biblical p r i n c i p l e s w i t h t h e i r a t h l e t i c l i f e - s e t t i n g s , h o p i n g t h a t o u r c h u r c h w o u l d r e i n f o r c e o u r m e s s a g e s to t h e m . It d i d n ' t h a p p e n very often. CONTEXTUALIZE YOUR PEOPLE: WHERE ARE THEY? Y o u r p e o p l e live a n d w o r k in a v a r i e t y o f e n v i r o n m e n t s . Life-setting preaching should prepare t h e m to handle the problems a n d the opportunities w h e r e v e r they find t h e m s e l v e s . H e r e is a s a m p l i n g o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l f a c t o r s to w h i c h w e are e x p o s e d : politics taxes inflation

pornography newspapers industry 51

leisure advertising motor homes

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING fitness education hijacking recreation aerobics business unions money radio dating science sports authority euthanasia accidents hospitals

war technology magazines television nuclear p o w e r humanism sex feminism AIDS medicine death credit pregnancy music morality prostitution s p a c e travel

drugs movies economics materialism prisons nursing homes job vacations computers art birth abortion crime government terrorism homosexuality

T h e list o b v i o u s l y c o u l d go o n i n t e r m i n a b l y . E v e r y t i m e w e t u r n a r o u n d , t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g n e w in o u r w o r l d to c h a l l e n g e u s . O f w h a t v a l u e is s u £ h a list to t h e p r e a c h e r ? W e l l , his a s s i g n e d t a s k is to e q u i p p e o p l e " t o live selfc o n t r o l l e d , u p r i g h t a n d g o d l y lives in this p r e s e n t a g e " (Titus 2 : 1 2 ) . T h e list a b o v e is a g o o d s a m p l i n g of w h a t t h e C h r i s t i a n h a s to face now in this p r e s e n t a g e . I l l u s t r a t i o n s c a n c o m e f r o m t h e s e a r e a s . A p p l i c a t i o n s c a n b e m a d e to t h e s e a r e a s . V i c t o r i e s c a n b e g a i n e d in t h e s e a r e a s . N o w , w i t h t h e s e r m o n in m i n d t h a t y o u a r e p r e p a r i n g for n e x t S u n d a y , let y o u r e y e s r o a m u p a n d d o w n the t h r e e c o l u m n s a b o v e . D o y o u s e e a n area of o b v i o u s a p p l i c a t i o n ? D o s o m e of y o u r p e o p l e w o r k in o n e of t h e s e fields? H a s o n e of t h e s e topics b e e n p r o m i n e n t in t h e n e w s this w e e k ? H a v e y o u a v o i d e d o n e of t h e s e i s s u e s l o n g e n o u g h ? C o n s i d e r o n e c a t e g o r y : advertising. Is t h e r e a c l e v e r , s u b t l e ad t h e m e d i a is c u r r e n t l y u s i n g to e n t i c e p e o p l e — y e s , e v e n y o u r p e o p l e — t o c o m p r o m i s e their v a l u e s ? T o s p e n d m o n e y t h e y d o n ' t h a v e ? T o b e m o r e m a t e r i a l i s t i c ? C o u l d this p a s s a g e of S c r i p t u r e alert t h e m to the d a n g e r of c o m p r o m i s e ? D o e s it teach t h e m h o w to b e m o r e d i s c e r n i n g ? A r e t h e r e a n y 52

Creatively Relating to the Life-Setting of the Congregation o t h e r w a y s y o u c o u l d relate t h e t r u t h of t h e text to t h e subtle d e c e p t i o n of t h e ad? W h a t w e a r e s a y i n g is that w e n e e d to t e a c h p e o p l e h o w to e v a l u a t e c o m m e r c i a l s o n radio a n d T V , h o w to b r o w s e t h r o u g h n e w s p a p e r s a n d m a g a z i n e s , h o w to r e s p o n d to half-price s a l e s , h o w to h a n d l e c o u p o n s a n d r e b a t e s , b e c a u s e t h a t ' s w h e r e p e o p l e l i v e — i n a n e n v i r o n m e n t that is s u p e r s a t u r a t e d w i t h a materialistic s y s t e m that is n o t heartily in favor of s e l f - c o n t r o l a n d u p r i g h t a n d g o d l y living. Y o u , the p r e a c h e r , m a y b e t h e o n l y anti-materialistic v o i c e t h e y will h e a r c r y i n g in t h e w i l d e r n e s s of a d v e r t i s i n g , w h i c h u b i q u i tously s u r r o u n d s t h e m a n d s u b t l y s e e k s to s e d u c e t h e m . ANALYZE YOUR PEOPLE: WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? H O W ARE THEY FEELING? T h e t w o p r e c e d i n g s u b j e c t s t e n d to h i g h l i g h t t h e i n t e r p e r s o n a l a s p e c t s of life: w h o a n d w h e r e o u r p e o p l e a r e , their roles a n d their r e l a t i o n s h i p s . N o w w e m o v e i n s i d e a n d direct o u r a t t e n t i o n to t h e zrcfrapersonal—the i n n e r - l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e p e o p l e in t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n . H e r e a r e s o m e o f t h e m e n t a l a n d e m o t i o n a l o p t i o n s y o u r p e o p l e c a n b r i n g to church with them. interested proud confused convicted surprised peaceful optimistic excited sobered inferior happy angry

neutral pessimistic rejoicing preoccupied bored skeptical accepting grieving suspicious worried tired antagonistic

frustrated challenged apathetic threatened motivated afraid compassionate guilty rejected lonely depressed tempted

L e t ' s d i s c u s s a f e w of t h e s e e m o t i o n s . M a n y p e o p l e a r e interested

in e v e r y t h i n g y o u s a y a n d in e v e r y t h i n g t h e c h u r c h 53

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING d o e s ; k e e p f a n n i n g their f l a m e . S o m e a r e i n t e r e s t e d in g a i n i n g k n o w l e d g e , b u t a r e n o t i n t e r e s t e d in m a k i n g a c o m m i t m e n t ; a l o n g w i t h t h e data y o u d e l i v e r , c h a l l e n g e t h e m to a d e c i s i o n . A f e w are p r o b a b l y t h e r e u n d e r p r o t e s t — p e r h a p s a t e e n a g e r , sitting in silent, s u l l e n rebellion a g a i n s t her parents w h o m a d e her c o m e , or an unsaved spouse w h o s e m a t e c a j o l e d h i m i n t o a t t e n d i n g . In e i t h e r c a s e , y o u r task is to s a y a n d d o t h i n g s that will s t i m u l a t e i n t e r e s t in G o d and the gospel. S o m e a r e confused. T h e y d o n ' t clearly u n d e r s t a n d w h a t it t a k e s to b e a C h r i s t i a n , or t h e y h a v e b e e n talking w i t h a m e m b e r of a cult w h o lives n e x t d o o r . T h e y n e e d c l e a r , specific t r u t h s r e l a t e d to their p e r s o n a l d i l e m m a s . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e y n e e d to k n o w it is n o t w r o n g to b e c o n f u s e d ; it is w r o n g to stay c o n f u s e d . A f e w are grieving. Bill's f i a n c é e j u s t b r o k e their e n g a g e m e n t . S a l l y ' s m o t h e r h a s c a n c e r . W e n d e l l got laid off. M a r t h a failed h e r d r i v e r ' s l i c e n s e e x a m . S h o w y o u r s e l f s e n s i t i v e to t h e s e k i n d s o f s i t u a t i o n s a n d p e o p l e will n o t o n l y c o m e to h e a r y o u p r e a c h , t h e y will sit n e a r t h e f r o n t ! Happiness is t h e p o s s e s s i o n o f s o m e . T h e kids h a v e r e c o v e r e d f r o m t h e c h i c k e n p o x , C h a r l i e g o t a r a i s e , P a m got a d a t e , H a l got a t e n - s p e e d b i k e — a n d t h e y a r e all in t h e S u n d a y morning service, each so excited that they have t r o u b l e c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n y o u r s e r m o n . Y o u h a v e to m a k e t h e m believe that w h a t y o u h a v e to s a y is m o r e i m p o r t a n t a n d m o r e e x c i t i n g t h a n a n y t h i n g e l s e in all this w o r l d , and/or y o u h a v e to relate t h e i r h a p p i n e s s to G o d a n d H i s W o r d . T h e s e are not only w o r d s that describe w h e r e people are; they are w o r d s that indicate w h e r e people can a n d s h o u l d b e . T h e p e r s o n w h o c o m e s to c h u r c h f e e l i n g r e j e c t e d should leave feeling accepted. T h e envious should go a w a y w i t h a n e w level o f c o n t e n t m e n t . T h e b o r e d s h o u l d b e c h a l l e n g e d . A n d b e c a u s e t h e r e a r e t h i n g s in life t h a t m a y a l w a y s b e b o r i n g ( s u c h as p u l l i n g w e e d s o r s w e e p i n g f l o o r s ) , t h e b o r e d s h o u l d l e a r n to c o p e w i t h b o r e d o m . Let it n o t b e a b o r i n g s e r m o n w i t h w h i c h t h e y h a v e to c o p e ! T h e s e are n o t o n l y w o r d s t h a t d e s c r i b e t h e c o n g r e g a 54

Creatively Relating to the Life-Setting of the Congregation tion; t h e y m i g h t w e l l d e s c r i b e t h e p r e a c h e r . Ideally^ t h e m a n in the^_pjujj£i^sJTouki b e p e a c e f u l , m o t i v a t e d , conffHent, a c c e p t e d , a n d o p t i m i s t i c . Realistically, h e m a y o n o c c a s i o n b e c o n f u s e d , t h r e a t e n e d , w o r r i e d , a n d tired. T h i s is w h e r e o p e n n e s s c a n b e p o w e r f u l , for t h i s is w h e r e t h e t r a n s p a r e n t preacher can function, in Henri N o u w e n ' s words, as " t h e w o u n d e d h e a l e r . " It t a k e s o n e to k n o w o n e , a n d t o b e o n e . 1

N o o n e c o m e s to c h u r c h v o i d o f all t h o u g h t s a n d feelings. Everyone brings certain pieces of mental a n d e m o t i o n a l b a g g a g e t o t h e p r e a c h i n g s e r v i c e . W e w o u l d like for t h e p e o p l e to c h e c k their b a g s at t h e d o o r a n d c o m e in e m p t y , r e a d y a n d willing to b e filled. If t h a t d o e s n ' t h a p p e n , w e w o u l d like to h a v e security c h e c k p o i n t s i n t h e n a r t h e x , a n d as each o n e w e n t through the scanner, w e would get a c o m p u t e r s c r e e n r e a d o u t o f t h e m e n t a l a n d e m o t i o n a l state o f e v e r y i n d i v i d u a l . I n s t e a d , in t h e y c o m e , b a g s a n d all, a n d it t h e n b e c o m e s t h e a w e s o m e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e p r e a c h e r to h e l p p e o p l e u n l o c k , u n z i p , u n p a c k , e v a l u a t e , a n d t h r o w a w a y or k e e p , r e p a c k , z i p , a n d l o c k . Y o u m a y w a n t t o " b a g " t h i s w h o l e illustration, b u t it is o n e w a y to p i c t u r e t h e p r o c e s s o f p r e a c h i n g . If, d u r i n g t h e w e e k , a lot o f suit(able) c a s e s e a r c h i n g is g o i n g o n in t h e life o f t h e p r e a c h e r a n d t h e p e o p l e , t h i n g s will o p e n u p b e t t e r o n S u n d a y . W H A T T O DO WITH LIFE-SETTING

DATA

W e h a v e d e v e l o p e d t h r e e e x t e n s i v e lists. T h e first identifies t h e p e o p l e : w h o t h e y a r e . T h e s e c o n d c o n t e x t u a l izes t h e p e o p l e : w h e r e t h e y a r e . T h e third a n a l y z e s t h e people: w h a t they are thinking a n d feeling. H o w can w e use this d a t a ? T y p e it all o n o n e p a g e , p u t t i n g t h e a p p r o p r i a t e w o r d lists u n d e r e a c h h e a d i n g . K e e p this s h e e t s o m e p l a c e in y o u r s t u d y w h e r e it is a l w a y s h a n d y f o r y o u to l o o k a t — p r e f e r a b l y w h e r e it is s t a r i n g y o u right in t h e f a c e . A s y o u p r e p a r e y o u r m e s s a g e s , p e r i o d i c a l l y g a z e a t this list, a s k i n g y o u r s e l f h o w y o u c a n r e l a t e t h i s t r u t h to i n - l a w s , retired persons, a coming election, and so on. As I gaze through the words on these lines, I think 55

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING a b o u t m y s e r m o n introduction. P e r h a p s t h e r e is s o m e antagonism o n t h e p a r t of y o u t h . T h e n I m i g h t start o u t w i t h : " I t is q u i t e p o s s i b l e that s o m e of y o u m a y n o t a g r e e w i t h w h a t I h a v e to s a y this m o r n i n g . . . s o I a s k all of y o u to p l e a s e listen carefully to t h e s e r m o n . . . . " O r , " Y o u ' v e h a d a g o o d w e e k . . . t h i n g s w e n t w e l l at h o m e a n d o n t h e j o b . . . in a w o r d , y o u w e r e successful. W h y ? W h y did y o u s u c c e e d ? W h a t did y o u d o t h a t m a d e y o u s u c c e s s f u l ? Is t h e r e s o m e t h i n g b a s i c a n d f o u n d a t i o n a l to s u c c e s s ? T h e W o r d of G o d p r o v i d e s i n s i g h t i n t o t h e a n s w e r to t h e s e q u e s t i o n s . O p e n y o u r B i b l e s to . . . " I n t r o d u c t i o n s c a n easily a n d o f t e n b e d r a w n f r o m t h e life-settings of t h e p e o p l e in y o u r c h u r c h . G l a n c i n g t h r o u g h t h e s e lists will p r o v i d e t h e s t i m u l u s y o u n e e d to d e v e l o p m e a n i n g f u l a n d v a r i e d i n t r o d u c t i o n s . Y o u c a n a l s o u s e t h e s e life-setting lists to p r o m p t illustrations. F o r e x a m p l e , e v e r y p e r s o n falls i n t o o n e of t h r e e c a t e g o r i e s — c h i l d r e n , y o u t h , o r a d u l t s — a n d , to a g r e a t e r or l e s s e r e x t e n t , t h e y a r e all a w a r e of t h e o t h e r t w o c a t e g o r i e s b e s i d e s their o w n . S o illustrations f r o m t h e e x p e r i e n c e s of a d u l t s , y o u t h , a n d c h i l d r e n o u g h t to b e d e v e l o p e d a n d u s e d f r e q u e n t l y , b e c a u s e w h e n y o u d o this y o u get o n t h e w a v e l e n g t h of e v e r y p e r s o n in y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . B u t r e m e m b e r , w e said earlier that o u r b i a s is t o w a r d w h i t e , middle-aged, middle-income, suburban males. To balance t h a t , I s t r o n g l y s u g g e s t that y o u a l s o u s e p l e n t y of illustrat i o n s f r o m a n d for t h e lives of c h i l d r e n , y o u t h , a n d w o m e n . A d u l t s will a l w a y s l i s t e n to w h a t y o u s a y to a n d a b o u t t h e i r c h i l d r e n a n d y o u n g p e o p l e . T h e r e v e r s e is n o t t r u e . C o n t e x t u a l i z e y o u r i l l u s t r a t i o n s . If y o u r y o u t h a r e d a t i n g , illustrate f r o m boy-girl r e l a t i o n s h i p s . If s o m e of y o u r m e n travel, illustrate f r o m t h e t e m p t i n g m a g a z i n e s in t h e airport s h o p s . In t h e s u m m e r , illustrate f r o m v a c a t i o n s . D e a l i n g w i t h c h e a t i n g ? Illustrate j u s t b e f o r e final e x a m s a r e g i v e n . D o y o u s e e m y p o i n t ? T h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l list is r e p l e t e w i t h s e r m o n illustration p o t e n t i a l . S o is t h e t h o u g h t / f e e l i n g list. Y o u c a n illustrate w i t h stories of s o r r o w , a n g e r , h a p p i n e s s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g in b e t w e e n . T h a t ' s w h e r e p e o p l e live. E n r i c h t h e text a n d e n l i g h t e n y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n with life-centered illustrations. 56

Creatively Relating to the Life-Setting of the Congregation H O W TO SECURE THIS LIFE-SETTING

DATA

H o w d o w e g e t this k i n d of b i o g r a p h i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p e o p l e that will c o n t i n u a l l y a p p r i s e u s a s to w h o t h e y a r e , w h e r e t h e y a r e , w h a t t h e y a r e t h i n k i n g , h o w t h e y are f e e l i n g ? H e r e a r e s o m e w a y s t h a t w o r k for m e . T r y t h e m o n a n d s e e h o w t h e y fit y o u . 1. Visit y o u r p e o p l e in t h e i r h o m e s , s c h o o l s , j o b s , a n d leisure p u r s u i t s . T h e c h u r c h is y o u r turf. T h o s e o t h e r p l a c e s c o n s t i t u t e their turf. M e e t t h e m t h e r e . T a l k w i t h t h e m t h e r e . T h i s is their w o r l d . K n o w w h e r e t h e y live, w h e r e t h e y w o r k , w h e r e t h e y g o to s c h o o l , w h a t their h o b b i e s a r e . F i n d o u t w h a t is i n v o l v e d in t h e life o f B e n , Carla, a n d the rest. 2. A s k q u e s t i o n s . G o o d p r e a c h e r s k n o w h o w to a s k q u e s t i o n s a n d listen to t h e a n s w e r s . L e a r n f r o m t h e m a n d about them. Ernest H e m i n g w a y said, " I have never spent a n h o u r w i t h a m a n that I c o u l d n ' t w r i t e his b i o g r a p h y . " D e v e l o p this k i n d of a n i n s a t i a b l e a p p e t i t e for i n f o r m a t i o n about people. 3. R e a d . Y o u c a n l e a r n m u c h a b o u t t h e w o r l d in w h i c h y o u r p e o p l e live b y r e a d i n g b o o k s a n d m a g a z i n e s . Business Week, Sports Illustrated, Psychology Today, Reader's Digest will p r o v i d e all k i n d s o f i n s i g h t s for r e l e v a n t i n t r o d u c tions, illustrations, a n d applications. Dip into best sellers, b o t h fiction a n d n o n f i c t i o n ; f i n d o u t w h y t h e y a r e s o p o p u l a r . I k n o w — y o u c a n ' t a f f o r d all this r e a d i n g m a t e r i a l . S o u s e t h e p u b l i c library. F i n d o u t w h o r e a d s in your congregation, and borrow from them. I k n o w — y o u d o n ' t h a v e t i m e to r e a d . M a k e t i m e . I k n o w — y o u ' r e a slow reader. Take a rapid reading course. I k n o w — y o u r e a d t h e n e w s p a p e r , Leadership, Christianity Today, and Moody Monthly. Broaden your horizons. 4 . L i s t e n to N a t i o n a l Public R a d i o . W a t c h e d u c a t i o n a l television. Both these organizations do s o m e fine reporting j o u r n a l i s m , m o s t of t h e t i m e in g r e a t e r d e p t h t h a n r e g u l a r 57

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING r a d i o a n d T V s t a t i o n s . All Things Considered is a late a f t e r n o o n p r o g r a m of N P R that p r o v i d e s e x c e l l e n t e x p o s u r e to a b r o a d r a n g e o f n e w s . W i t h o u t c o m m e r c i a l s . 5. C o n s i d e r s e r v i c e c l u b s : R o t a r y , K i w a n i s , the L i o n s , a n d s o o n . If y o u j o i n , y o u h a v e to g e t i n v o l v e d t h r o u g h b o t h r e g u l a r a t t e n d a n c e a n d active s e r v i c e . W e e k l y p r o g r a m s e x p o s e y o u to w h a t ' s g o i n g o n in y o u r c o m m u n i t y . If y o u d o n ' t c h o o s e to j o i n , a s k o t h e r s w h o a r e m e m b e r s to t a k e you now and then. 6. T a k e a d v a n t a g e of o p p o r t u n i t i e s p r o v i d e d b y local colleges and universities. Continuing education courses are a l w a y s a v a i l a b l e . T h e y will e n r i c h y o u r o w n life a n d y o u r m i n i s t r y . S p e c i a l l e c t u r e s a r e o f t e n h e l d in d i f f e r e n t colleges, different departments. Encourage college stud e n t s in y o u r c h u r c h to let y o u k n o w w h e n s p e c i a l programs are scheduled. 7. A t t e n d p r o f e s s i o n a l s e m i n a r s . I a l m o s t h e s i t a t e to m e n tion t h e s e , s i n c e w e a r e s e m i n a r s a t u r a t e d to t h e p o i n t that local c h u r c h m i n i s t r y is s o m e t h i n g w e d o b e t w e e n seminars. But there are m a n y g o o d o n e s . C o n s i d e r i n v i t i n g s o m e of y o u r lay l e a d e r s to a t t e n d m i n i s t r y s e m i n a r s w i t h y o u . It will h e l p to e q u i p t h e m , a n d it will h e l p t h e m b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d w h a t y o u d o . T h e n t u r n that a r o u n d a n d a s k t h e m o n o c c a s i o n t o t a k e y o u t o o n e of t h e i r p r o f e s s i o n a l m e e t i n g s or s e m i n a r s . It m a y h e l p to s h a r p e n s o m e of y o u r o w n skills, i n t r o d u c e y o u to n e w s u b j e c t s a n d i d e a s , a n d i n c r e a s e y o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g of s o m e m e m b e r s of y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . 8. F o r m a s e r m o n p r e p a r a t i o n a n d e v a l u a t i o n t e a m . T h i s is o n e o f t h e m o s t p r o d u c t i v e t h i n g s I h a v e e v e r d o n e in m y p a s t o r a l m i n i s t r y . F o r m a t e a m t h a t is r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f your c o n g r e g a t i o n — m a l e , female, young, old, thinker, d o e r , t r a d i t i o n a l , c o n t e m p o r a r y , a n d s o o n . S i x to t e n p e o p l e w o u l d b e a g o o d n u m b e r . A s k t h e m to m e e t w i t h y o u for a n h o u r a n d half in t h e m i d d l e of t h e w e e k for a p e r i o d of o n e to t h r e e m o n t h s . 58

Creatively Relating to the Life-Setting of the Congregation THE PREPARATION AND EVALUATION

TEAM

T h e r e a r e t w o i t e m s o n t h e a g e n d a at a m i d w e e k sermon preparation and evaluation meeting as suggested a b o v e . First, a n e v a l u a t i o n of last S u n d a y ' s m e s s a g e . S e c o n d , p r e p a r a t i o n of n e x t S u n d a y ' s m e s s a g e . E v a l u a t i o n d o e s n ' t c o m e e a s y . L a y p e o p l e a r e n o t u s e d to d o i n g it, a r e o f t e n n o t t r a i n e d t o d o it, a n d in s o m e i n s t a n c e s d o n ' t t h i n k it s h o u l d b e d o n e : t h e L o r d ' s a n o i n t e d are n o t t o b e t o u c h e d ! B u t w i t h a n o p e n n e s s o n t h e part of t h e rest o f t h e t e a m , it c a n b e c o m e a v e r y p r o f i t a b l e s e s s i o n , w i t h p l e n t y of p o s i t i v e a s w e l l as some negative feedback. H e l p in p r e p a r a t i o n g o e s like t h i s : T h e p a s t o r s h a r e s t h e p a s s a g e h e will b e u s i n g , g i v e s t h e m t h e g e n e r a l o u t l i n e h e will f o l l o w , a n d t h e overall t h r u s t h e e x p e c t s t h e m e s s a g e t o have. T h e t e a m m e m b e r s point out w h e r e they n e e d a clearer u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e text; h o w t h e y s e e t h e t r u t h a p p l y i n g to t h e i r lives a n d t h e lives of t h e i r c h i l d r e n , their f r i e n d s ; w a y s in w h i c h t h e t r u t h c o u l d b e i l l u s t r a t e d ; a n d w h a t s h o u l d b e e m p h a s i z e d . T h e r e s u l t s : a p a s t o r w h o starts p r e p a r i n g earlier, a g r o u p of l a y p e o p l e w h o b e c o m e m o r e intelligently i n v o l v e d in helping t h e p a s t o r d e v e l o p h i s s e r m o n , w h o listen i n t e n t l y o n S u n d a y m o r n i n g to s e e h o w h e and they a r e d o i n g , a n d w h o e v a l u a t e b o t h s t r e n g t h s a n d w e a k n e s s e s in order to help their pastor grow. A t t i m e s I h a v e g o n e t h r o u g h t h i s p r o c e s s w i t h adult a n d y o u t h S u n d a y s c h o o l t e a c h e r s a n d tied t h e s e r m o n a n d Sunday school lesson together. O n occasion I have met i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e m o r n i n g s e r v i c e w i t h t h e t e a m for a n e v a l u a t i o n w h i l e t h i n g s w e r e f r e s h in t h e i r m i n d s . I h a v e used the entire midweek prayer and study group as a p r e p a r a t i o n a n d e v a l u a t i o n t e a m . Y o u c o u l d u s e m e m b e r s of y o u r staff, m e m b e r s of y o u r b o a r d , i n t e r n s , o r B i b l e c o l l e g e a n d s e m i n a r y s t u d e n t s t o t e a m u p w i t h y o u i n this k i n d o f e n d e a v o r . It will m a k e y o u a b e t t e r p r e a c h e r , n o t o n l y b e c a u s e y o u a r e a s k i n g f o r a n d r e c e i v i n g e v a l u a t i o n , b u t also b e c a u s e y o u a r e p r e p a r i n g y o u r s e r m o n s with p e o p l e a s well a s for p e o p l e . 2

59

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING IN

SUMMARY

Nobody " j u s t preaches the W o r d . " W h e n you preach, y o u a l w a y s p r e a c h t h e W o r d to people. T h e crucial q u e s t i o n is, h o w w e l l d o y o u k n o w p e o p l e ? T h i s c h a p t e r h a s b e e n d e s i g n e d to r e m i n d y o u of v a r i o u s w a y s y o u c a n d e t e r m i n e a n d use the current life-settings of the people. R e m a i n i n g e v e r - s e n s i t i v e to w h o t h e y a r e , w h e r e t h e y a r e , w h a t t h e y a r e t h i n k i n g , a n d h o w t h e y are f e e l i n g will a l l o w u s to s c r a t c h w h e r e t h e y itch.

60

5

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher I n t h e p r e c e d i n g c h a p t e r s w e h a v e dealt w i t h t h e life-setting of t h e a n c i e n t biblical text a n d t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g o f t h e p r e s e n t d a y c o n g r e g a t i o n . W h o l i n k s t h e text a n d t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n t o g e t h e r ? T h e p r e a c h e r . H o w d o e s h e d o it? With his own lifesetting. H e h a s o n e , y o u k n o w . J u s t b e c a u s e h e is o n his w a y to h e a v e n d o e s n ' t m e a n h e h a s c h e c k e d o u t of this w o r l d . U p o n g r a d u a t i n g f r o m B i b l e c o l l e g e or s e m i n a r y , h e d i d n ' t h a v e to t u r n i n h i s h u m a n i t y t o r e c e i v e h i s d i p l o m a . E v e r y p r e a c h e r b r i n g s to t h e t a s k of p r e a c h i n g h i s o w n p e r s o n a l , u n i q u e life-setting. W e n e e d t o e x p l o r e this c o n c e p t . YOUR PERSONAL

ENDOWMENTS

Your sex, size, shape, strength, coordination, face, v o i c e — i n s h o r t , all of y o u r p h y s i c a l e n d o w m e n t s — m a k e y o u a h u m a n b e i n g similar to all o t h e r s . Y e t e x p e r i e n c e p r o v e s that n o b o d y l o o k s , w a l k s , o r talks e x a c t l y like y o u . Y o u a r e a u n i q u e p e r s o n , r e c o g n i z a b l y d i s t i n c t f r o m all o t h e r h u m a n s . F u r t h e r m o r e , like o t h e r s , y o u h a v e a m i n d , e m o t i o n s , a n d will. B u t y o u d o n ' t t h i n k , f e e l , a n d act e x a c t l y like a n y o n e e l s e , s o o n c e a g a i n y o u m u s t r e g a r d y o u r s e l f as 61

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING u n i q u e , w i t h a p e r s o n a l i t y t h a t is r e c o g n i z a b l y distinct f r o m e v e r y o n e e l s e . F i n a l l y , y o u h a v e c e r t a i n gifts a n d talents that m a k e it p o s s i b l e for y o u to d o c e r t a i n t h i n g s e x c e e d i n g l y w e l l . O t h e r h u m a n b e i n g s also h a v e skills, e v e n s o m e of t h e s a m e ones you have, but each person packages and delivers t h e s e skills in a n d t h r o u g h u n i q u e i n d i v i d u a l i t i e s . Y o u are a custom-made person. C u s t o m - m a d e b y w h o m ? U l t i m a t e l y , b y G o d . " I t is h e w h o m a d e u s , " said t h e p s a l m i s t ( 1 0 0 : 3 ) . D a v i d p e r s o n a l i z e s a n d localizes G o d ' s c r e a t i v e h a n d i w o r k : " F o r y o u c r e a t e d m y i n m o s t b e i n g ; y o u k n i t m e t o g e t h e r in m y m o t h e r ' s w o m b . . . . I a m fearfully a n d w o n d e r f u l l y m a d e ; y o u r w o r k s a r e w o n d e r f u l , I k n o w that full w e l l " ( 1 3 9 : 1 3 - 1 4 ) . Isaiah c o m e s to t h e s a m e c o n c l u s i o n : " W e a r e t h e clay, y o u a r e t h e p o t t e r ; w e a r e all t h e w o r k of y o u r h a n d " (64:8). T o a n y d i s s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e divine d e s i g n in u s , Isaiah i s s u e s a s o l e m n w a r n i n g : " W o e to h i m w h o q u a r r e l s w i t h his M a k e r " ( 4 5 : 9 ) . T h e clay d o e s n o t talk b a c k to t h e P o t t e r . M o s e s e x p a n d s o u r c o n c e p t of c u s t o m i z i n g w i t h t h e r e v e l a t i o n t h a t G o d g a v e t h e Israelite c r a f t s m e n all t h e skills n e e d e d to b u i l d t h e t a b e r n a c l e ( E x o d . 3 1 : 1 - 6 ) . A n d of c o u r s e , t h e gifts of t h e Spirit, w h i c h all b e l i e v e r s p o s s e s s , a r e n o t t h e r e s u l t of o u r c h o i c e or of m e r e c h a n c e . T h e H o l y Spirit " g i v e s t h e m to e a c h o n e , j u s t a s h e d e t e r m i n e s " (1 C o r . 1 2 : 1 1 ) . Y o u r p h y s i c a l b e i n g , t h e c o m p o n e n t s of y o u r p e r s o n a l ity, y o u r t a l e n t s a n d gifts all c o m b i n e t o m a k e y o u a u n i q u e p e r s o n . B e h i n d y o u r u n i q u e n e s s is a s o v e r e i g n , c r e a t i v e G o d . H e h a s a n i n f i n i t e n u m b e r of p a t t e r n s to c h o o s e f r o m . W h e n He made you, He chose one He had never used before; w h e n H e finished you, H e retired the pattern. T h e r e n e v e r h a s b e e n o n e exactly like y o u . T h e r e will n e v e r b e a n o t h e r e x a c t l y like y o u . Y o u a r e o n e of a k i n d . 1

YOUR RESPONSE TO YOUR

ENDOWMENTS

G e t in c l o s e t o u c h w i t h y o u r G o d - o r d a i n e d u n i q u e n e s s . Discover and develop your God-given strengths. Identify 62

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher and accept your God-allowed limitations. Find out w h o you are p h y s i c a l l y , m e n t a l l y , e m o t i o n a l l y , a n d volitionally. D e t e r m i n e w h a t y o u can d o w i t h y o u r t a l e n t s a n d gifts. A s y o u d i s c o v e r a n d d e v e l o p y o u r u n i q u e n e s s a s a person, realize that y o u a r e also d i s c o v e r i n g a n d d e v e l o p i n g y o u r u n i q u e n e s s a s a preacher. T h e r e i s o n l y o n e p e r s o n like y o u . T h u s t h e r e is o n l y o n e p r e a c h e r like y o u . Y o u r o b l i g a t i o n is to find out w h o y o u are a n d t h e n be y o u r s e l f to t h e full, w i t h excellence. Y o u will discover t h i n g s a b o u t y o u r s e l f t h a t y o u w i s h were different. Some you can change, s o m e you can't. You m a y w i s h y o u w e r e taller, b u t y o u a r e n ' t a n d n e v e r will b e . A c c e p t y o u r s e l f at 5 ' 6 " a n d l o w e r t h e p u l p i t o r s t a n d o n a stool. Y o u l o n g for a m e l l i f l u o u s b a s s v o i c e , b u t y o u r vocal c o r d s o p e r a t e to deliver a h i g h - p i t c h e d , slightly r a s p y t o n e . V o i c e l e s s o n s m a y h e l p , b u t y o u will p r o b a b l y h a v e to settle for s o m e t h i n g less t h a n b a s s , u n l e s s y o u c a n live w i t h a l o w level c o l d f o r t h e rest of y o u r m i n i s t r y ! Y o u w i s h y o u c o u l d p r o b e d e e p e r in y o u r s t u d y o f t h e W o r d , b u t y o u ' r e j u s t n o t a s a n a l y t i c as o t h e r s y o u k n o w . H o w e v e r , y o u d e l i g h t in s y n t h e s i z i n g — t h a t is, p u t t i n g i d e a s t o g e t h e r s o t h e y f o r m a n understandable whole. G o d has fashioned you as H e wanted y o u to b e f a s h i o n e d . D o n ' t q u a r r e l w i t h y o u r M a k e r . Coopej^te^v^^JTim. M a n y t l u n g s can be Changed. Your teeth are crooked? A n orthodontist can help. Have a shoulder slump? Stand up straight. Y o u lisp? S e e a s p e e c h t h e r a p i s t . H a v e a facial tic o r body twitch? Consult a physician or psychologist. A mole on y o u r c h i n ? T r y a d e r m a t o l o g i s t . T e n d to b e s o f t - s p o k e n ? L e a r n to p r o j e c t y o u r v o i c e , a n d t u r n u p t h e v o l u m e o n t h e P A system. Carrying too m u c h weight? Eat less a n d exercise m o r e . C o l o r b l i n d ? H a v e y o u r w i f e c h o o s e y o u r ties. P u t y o u r h a n d in y o u r p o c k e t w h e n y o u p r e a c h ? S e w t h e p o c k e t shut. Too m a n y " y o u k n o w s " and " u h s " ? Listen to yourself on tape. H a v e s o m e o n e count t h e m for y o u . E x p u n g e the m a j o r i t y o f these, " f i l l e r " w o r d s f r o m y o u r s p e a k i n g . Y o u k n o w , y o u d o n ' t h a v e to s a y t h e m , y o u k n o w . U h . . . y a know whatta mean? 63

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING E v e n w h e n y o u c h a n g e m a n y of t h e s e k i n d s of i d i o s y n c r a s i e s , y o u will still b e t h e u n i q u e y o u . T h i s u n i q u e y o u is o n e m a j o r p a r t of y o u r l i f e - s e t t i n g . W h a t y o u h a v e b e e n e n d o w e d w i t h , y o u p r e a c h w i t h . W a t c h o u t for t h e c o p y - c a t m e n t a l i t y that p r e s s u r e s y o u to b e like s o m e o n e e l s e . T h e o t h e r g u y a p p e a r s to b e p o p u l a r a n d s u c c e s s f u l , a n d h e w e l l m a y b e , b u t t h e r e is o n l y o n e p e r s o n in all this w o r l d exactly like h i m — t h a t ' s h e . Y o u c a n ' t b e his c l o n e . D o n ' t try to b e . B e y o u r G o d - o r d a i n e d self. Y o u r i n h e r e n t , intrinsic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d qualities a r e w h a t m a k e y o u y o u . S t a y c o n s i s t e n t l y a n d clearly in t o u c h w i t h w h o y o u a r e a n d w h a t y o u c a n a n d c a n ' t d o . In o t h e r w o r d s , d i s c o v e r y o u r own personal equation: John Jones = a + b + c - d . Your l i f e - s e t t i n g is n o t j u s t where y o u a r e , it is a l s o who y o u a r e , a n d w h o y o u a r e will significantly i n f l u e n c e how y o u p r e p a r e and preach. YOUR PERSONAL

EXPERIENCES

Your persona] e n d o w m e n t s are the inherent characteristics, q u a l i t i e s , a n d a p t i t u d e s t h a t G o d h a s b e s t o w e d o n y o u . Y o u r p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e s a r e t h e e v e n t s t h a t h a p p e n in y o u r life. W e k n o w t h a t all t h e s e e v e n t s a r e a p a r t of G o d ' s s o v e r e i g n p l a n for u s . W h a t w e m a y classify as g o o d a n d b a d u l t i m a t e l y all w o r k t o g e t h e r f o r o u r g o o d ( R o m . 8 : 2 8 ) . S o l o m o n listed t w e n t y - e i g h t d i f f e r e n t h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e s , f o u r t e e n of t h e m p o s i t i v e , f o u r t e e n of t h e m n e g a t i v e , at l e a s t f r o m o u r s t a n d p o i n t . Y e t f r o m his i n s p i r e d p e r s p e c t i v e h e w e n t o n to classify all t w e n t y - e i g h t of t h e m as " b e a u t i f u l " (Eccl. 3 : 1 - 1 1 ) . Paul s p e a k s t o t h e s a m e c o n c e p t w h e n h e d e c l a r e s t h a t G o d " w o r k s o u t e v e r y t h i n g in c o n f o r m i t y w i t h t h e p u r p o s e o f his w i l l " ( E p h . 1:11). E a c h a n d e v e r y e x p e r i e n c e in life is a p a r t of G o d ' s p u r p o s e a n d p l a n . It is for y o u r l e a r n i n g a n d H i s g l o r y . All t h e s e d i v i n e l y a r r a n g e d e x p e r i e n c e s c o n s t i t u t e y o u r life-setting, f r o m b i r t h t o d e a t h . T h e " y o u " t h a t p r e a c h e s is t h e " y o u " that w a s b o r n , r a i s e d , f e d , c l o t h e d , spanked, educated, hurt, employed, married, misunder64

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher s t o o d , h o n o r e d — a n d all t h e myriad o t h e r experiences that m a k e y o u a n a u t h e n t i c m e m b e r of the h u m a n race. All the e x p e r i e n c e s y o u h a v e h a d a n d will have a r e p o t e n t i a l bridges linking t h e text to t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n and t h e congregation to t h e text. L e t ' s e x p l o r e t h i s bridging o p e r a t i o n . Y O U R USE OF Y O U R

EXPERIENCES

1. R e m e m b e r i n g Your P a s t T w o t h i n g s y o u c a n b e s u r e of. You h a d many, many e x p e r i e n c e s w h i l e y o u w e r e g r o w i n g up t h a t a r e common to e v e r y o n e e l s e . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , you h a d s o m e experiences u n i q u e to y o u . All t h e s e e x p e r i e n c e s can b e u s e d to enhance y o u r p r e a c h i n g . O n e of t h e b a s i c p r o b l e m s is that you have f o r g o t t e n m u c h of t h e s e d a t a . T h e y a r e p i l e d up in the v a r i o u s s t o r e r o o m s o f y o u r m i n d , and m a n y of t h e doors are s h u t , s o m e e v e n l o c k e d . W h a t to do? S t a r t writing your a u t o b i o g r a p h y . N o t a f o r m a l , f a n c y t r e a t m e n t of your life, b u t a listing o f _ J h e _ _ y a r i a u s — t h i n g s - 4 h * t - y o u remember h a p p e n i n g a l o n g j h e ^ j w a y , K e e p this list h a n d y , andjjyery t i m e y o u t h i n k of a n o t h e r e x p e r i e n c e , w r i t e . i l down. Here a r e s o m e t h i n g s f r o m m y list ( m o s t I r e m e m b e r , some my p a r e n t s told m e a b o u t ) :

ter

Born in Prescott, the mile-high city of Arizona Hospital I was born in burned down shortly thereaf-

Remember going down steep, snow-covered hill on sled in winter Big bonfires at top and bottom of sledding hill Played under the ironing board and it collapsed on me Fell out of our moving car when I was f o u r — n o t hurt badly Used to watch Dad shovel coal into the basement furnace Stuffed leaves way up both nostrils—had to go to the doctor 65

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING Played with Tommy who lived next door Had difficulty learning to ride bike, kept running into the wall Rode a school bus to kindergarten Hit a kid over the head with my chocolate milk bottle on the school bus Some older kids pushed me into a trench and wouldn't let me out till supper Fell out of bed and hurt my back on my mucilage bottle Had one sister, three years younger than I Got sick and had to come home and take a nap every day in third grade Shattered my parents' bedroom window with my BB gun Had a crush on Prina Stanley in fourth grade Member of a gang that harassed kids who weren't for Franklin D. Roosevelt in fifth grade These incidents are a mere beginning. I use these kinds o f p e r s o n a l v i g n e t t e s p r i m a r i l y f o r illustrations a n d a p p l i c a t i o n s . T h e s e c h i l d h o o d life-settings will c a p t u r e t h e a t t e n t i o n of e v e r y p e r s o n i n y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n , y o u n g a n d o l d . W h a t I a m s u g g e s t i n g is t h a t y o u d e v e l o p a similar list of y o u r o w n c h i l d h o o d e x p e r i e n c e s — a list that y o u c a n l o o k at a s y o u p r e p a r e y o u r s e r m o n s , a n d a list that y o u c a n a d d to a l o n g t h e w a y a s o t h e r e v e n t s c o m e t o m i n d . J u s t a s G o d h a s u n i q u e l y e n d o w e d e a c h of u s , s o H e h a s g i v e n e a c h of u s a u n i q u e set of g r o w i n g - u p e x p e r i e n c e s . Next m o v e into your teenage years. Record some of the e x p e r i e n c e s y o u h a d at h o m e w i t h p a r e n t s , b r o t h e r s a n d s i s t e r s , o t h e r r e l a t i v e s , a n d f r i e n d s . List all t h e d i f f e r e n t places you w e n t on family vacations. Jot d o w n the n a m e s of the teachers you r e m e m b e r , the subjects you took, the teams you played on, the embarrassing m o m e n t s you agonized t h r o u g h , h i g h l i g h t s of y o u r b o y - g i r l r e l a t i o n s h i p s , h i l a r i o u s things that h a p p e n e d to y o u , w a y s a n d m e a n s y o u w e r e disciplined, honors and awards you received, whether you w e r e an introvert or an extrovert, a leader or a follower, 66

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher intelligent or n o t s o , all t h e h o b b i e s y o u h a d , g r e g a r i o u s or a l o n e r , s h y o r o u t g o i n g . In o t h e r w o r d s , b e g i n t o r e m e m b e r a n d w r i t e d o w n s o m e of t h e specific, i n t e n s e l y

personal

details of y o u r y o u t h . H e r e is a c a t e g o r y y o u w o n ' t w a n t t o l e a v e o u t : all t h e j o b s y o u h a d w h i l e y o u w e r e g r o w i n g u p . H e r e ' s m y list: washed windows stock clerk picked acorns drove a tractor mowed lawns milked cows camp counselor

picked cotton trained horses swept floors sales clerk baling hay night irrigator dynamite blasting

worked on ranch cleaned test tubes cleaned stables built fences delivery boy drove a truck worked for veterinarian

A w e a l t h o f i l l u s t r a t i o n s a n d a p p l i c a t i o n s is b o u n d u p in all t h e s e p a r t - t i m e j o b s . T h e y will h e l p y o u r e c o g n i z e h o w v a r i e d y o u r e x p e r i e n c e i s , a n d it will alert y o u r l i s t e n e r s to t h e fact t h a t y o u h a v e d o n e s o m e t h i n g b e s i d e s p r e a c h . Naturally

you

would

want

to

trace

your

spiritual

pilgrimage through your childhood and teenage years. Did y o u g r o w u p in a C h r i s t i a n h o m e ? W a s c h u r c h a vital p a r t of y o u r earlier y e a r s ?

Did you

run

around

with

Christian

friends? W h e n did you b e c o m e a Christian? Did you pray? R e a d y o u r B i b l e ? D i d y o u e v e r g e t in b i g t r o u b l e ? D i d y o u attend Christian_or public schools? Did y o u u s e profanity? D r u g s ? . T o b a c c o ? A l c o h o l ? W h a t k i n d jof s e x u a l t e m p t a t i o n s did y o u s t r u g g T e ~ w i t h ? ^ V n a t p e o p l e w e r e p o s i t i y e / n e g a t i v e role m o d e l s for y o u ? W e r e y o u r e b e l l i o u s ? D i d y o u e v e r r u n a w a y f r o m h o m e ? D i d y o u e v e r w a n t t o ? W h a t k i n d s of t h i n g s d o m i n a t e d y o u r l i f e — s p o r t s , j o b , girlfriend o r b o y friend, cars, music,

hobbies?

I stress writing these things d o w n , because y o u won't remember

all o f t h e m w h e n

y o u are putting a

sermon

t o g e t h e r . If y o u h a v e a list, y o u c a n q u i c k l y p e r u s e it a n d p i c k o u t s o m e t h i n g t h a t ties r i g h t in w i t h y o u r m e s s a g e . A

word

to

those

who 67

want

to

forget

their

past,

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING e s p e c i a l l y w h e n it c o n t a i n s a lot of g r o s s sin: Y o u w o u l d r a t h e r n o t t h i n k a b o u t it or talk a b o u t it. Y o u w o u l d like to b u r y it o n c e a n d for all. In the w o r d s of P a u l , y o u w o u l d like to f o r g e t t h e p a s t a n d f o c u s o n t h e f u t u r e (Phil. 3 : 1 2 - 1 4 ) . C e r t a i n l y that is a w o r t h y g o a l , b u t r e m e m b e r also t h a t G o d a l l o w e d y o u t o h a v e t h o s e v a r i e d e x p e r i e n c e s in y o u r b a c k g r o u n d a n d m a y w a n t to u s e y o u to w a r n o t h e r s . I n s i g h t s f r o m y o u r e x p e r i e n c e c a n b e p o w e r f u l p e r s u a d e r s to h e l p y o u n g p e o p l e a v o i d t h o s e s i n s or extract t h e m s e l v e s f r o m t h e m . Y o u n e e d n o t p a r a d e y o u r p a s t in f r o n t of p e o p l e , b u t y o u s h o u l d n o t h i d e it e i t h e r . I a l s o f i n d that u n i q u e l y t a l e n t e d p e o p l e w h o g e t s a v e d o f t e n w a n t to w a l k a w a y f r o m their field of e x p e r t i s e b e c a u s e t h e y u s e d it i n a s e c u l a r , n o n - C h r i s t i a n c o n t e x t . F o r i n s t a n c e , t h e brilliant t r u m p e t p l a y e r w h o m e e t s C h r i s t a n d d e c i d e s to g o i n t o the m i n i s t r y . H i s t r u m p e t b e c o m e s a s y m b o l of his p r e - s a l v a t i o n d a y s — w i t h all t h e i r sin a n d s e l f - c e n t e r e d n e s s — a n d t h u s h e w a n t s to p u t it a w a y a n d c l o s e that c h a p t e r o f h i s life. A s a result, a lot of t a l e n t will n o t b e u s e d for t h e glory o f t h e G o d w h o b e s t o w e d it. 2. R e v e a l i n g Y o u r P r e s e n t W e h a v e b e e n u r g i n g y o u to dig i n t o y o u r p a s t a n d u s e it i n y o u r p r e a c h i n g . It will d o w o n d e r s to h e l p y o u a u t h e n t i c a t e y o u r h u m a n i t y a n d v a l i d a t e y o u r credibility. It is a n a t u r a l w a y of u s i n g y o u r p a s t life-setting to creatively c o m m u n i c a t e t r u t h to p e o p l e . A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t d i m e n s i o n of y o u r l i f e - s e t t i n g is y o u r i m m e d i a t e p r e s e n t , t h a t is, w h a t is h a p p e n i n g n o w in y o u r life. It is e a s i e r to c a p t u r e a n d r e c o r d o u r p r e s e n t e x p e r i e n c e t h a n it is to r e m e m b e r o u r p a s t . P a s t e x p e r i e n c e s h a v e a w a y of s l i p p i n g a w a y f r o m u s . H o w e v e r , it is p r o b a b l y h a r d e r to r e v e a l t o o t h e r s w h a t is h a p p e n i n g right n o w in o u r lives t h a n it is t o tell w h a t h a p p e n e d w a y b a c k w h e n . Y e t e v e r y b o d y e l s e h a s a p r e s e n t life-setting w i t h w h i c h t h e y a r e h a v i n g to d e # l . W h y n o t u s ? W h a t is h a p p e n i n g n o w in y o u r marriage? W h a t n e w things are you learning about marriage 68

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher in g e n e r a l , y o u r p a r t n e r a n d y o u in particular? W h e n d o y o u find t i m e in y o u r b u s y s c h e d u l e s to talk? W h a t is fairly e a s y to talk a b o u t , a n d w h a t is m o r e difficult? W h a t a r e y o u r d i f f e r e n c e s ? A r e y o u c u r r e n t l y w o r k i n g o n a n y g o a l s in y o u r marriage? D o you m a k e yourselves accountable to each other w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e s e g o a l s ? A n y a c c o u n t a b i l i t y to a third p a r t y , a n o t h e r c o u p l e , a small g r o u p , o r t h e e n t i r e c o n g r e g a tion? W h a t c r e a t e s p r o b l e m s in y o u r m a r r i a g e ? W h a t h e l p s to solve the problems? If y o u s e l d o m o r n e v e r s a y a n y t h i n g f r o m t h e pulpit about your marriage, what messages may you be conveying? T h a t it is n o t i m p o r t a n t . T h a t it is n o n e of t h e i r b u s i n e s s . T h a t e v e r y t h i n g is j u s t great. T h a t t h e r e a r e p r o b l e m s , b u t y o u w o n ' t say a n y t h i n g a b o u t t h e m . T h a t t h e w h o l e s u b j e c t is t o o i n t i m a t e to b e d i s c u s s e d p u b l i c l y . T h i s last s t a t e m e n t is p r o b a b l y t h e c l i n c h e r . W e s t r u g g l e w i t h h o w to deal w i t h i n t i m a t e i s s u e s in o u r p r e a c h i n g a n d u s u a l l y o p t f o r silence or superficiality. If w e d o d e c i d e to deal w i t h t h e i n t i m a t e i s s u e s , w e still t e n d to s a y little o r n o t h i n g a b o u t o u r s e l v e s in relation t o t h e i s s u e . If y o u a r e m a r r i e d , y o u h a v e a m a r i t a l life-setting j u s t a s all t h e m a r r i e d c o u p l e s in y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n d o . T h e o n l y w a y y o u c a n really c o n n e c t w i t h t h e m is t o m e n t i o n y o u r m a r r i a g e a s w e l l a s t h e i r s . D o it d i s c r e e t l y a n d w i t h d i g n i t y . D o it o p e n l y a n d h o n e s t l y , y e t s e n s i t i v e l y a n d a p p r o p r i a t e l y . D o it n o t t o e m b a r r a s s , b u t t o e d i f y . K e e p it in b a l a n c e . P r e s e n t t h e p o s i t i v e ( c h a n g e s , p r o g r e s s , victories) a s well a s the negative (struggles, frustrations, failures). W h a t is h a p p e n i n g n o w in y o u r family? H o w old a r e your children? H o w are they different from each other and f r o m t h e i r p a r e n t s ? H o w a r e t h e y similar t o M o m a n d D a d ? H o w d o t h e y like s c h o o l , c h u r c h , s p o r t s , o r m u s i c ? D o t h e y fight? W h i n e ? Resist? Forget? Rebel? Sulk? S c r e a m ? Everybody else's kids do, h o w c o m e yours don't? O h , they do, y o u s a y . W e l l , h o w c o m e y o u n e v e r m e n t i o n it f r o m t h e pulpit? B e c a u s e d o w n in t h e i n n e r r e c e s s e s of y o u r b e i n g t h e r e is a little v o i c e called " e g o " a n d w h e n e v e r y o u a r e t e m p t e d t o a d m i t t h a t y o u r o f f s p r i n g a r e n o r m a l , at t i m e s 69

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING s u b n o r m a l , y o u r e g o w h i s p e r s , " D o n ' t tell ' e m , p r e a c h e r ; t h e y d e s p e r a t e l y n e e d s o m e o n e to look u p t o , a n d for s u c h a t i m e as t h i s , y o u ' r e t h e m a n . " T h e m a s k is p u t in p l a c e . W h a t a b o u t y o u r p a r e n t a l b e h a v i o r in t h e h o m e ? A r e y o u c o n s i s t e n t in e s t a b l i s h i n g a n d e n f o r c i n g t h e r u l e s ? A r e you a n d your wife a parenting team? Does M o m do the threatening while Dad does the thrashing? Are you so c a u g h t u p in t r y i n g t o c o u n t e r a c t y o u r o w n family b a c k g r o u n d that y o u h a v e s w u n g p a s t t h e m i d p o i n t a n d g o n e to t h e o t h e r e x t r e m e ? W o u l d y o u d a r e b r e a t h e a w o r d o f this to y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n , o r a r e y o u letting t h e e g o c o n v i n c e y o u that y o u s h o u l d k e e p q u i e t a b o u t y o u r f a m i l y affairs until y o u h a v e y o u r p a r e n t i n g act t o g e t h e r . T h e n y o u will tell all. T h e m a s k r e m a i n s i n p l a c e — t o t h e d e t r i m e n t of e v e r y o n e . W h a t is h a p p e n i n g in you? P l e n t y . All w e e k l o n g y o u h a v e b e e n b u s y in t h e m i n i s t r y . B u s y s t u d y i n g . B u s y w r i t i n g . Busy talking. Busy listening. Busy praying. Busy helping. B u s y c o u n s e l i n g . Y o u h a v e h a d to c o p e w i t h f a i l u r e , f r u s t r a t i o n , a bit of d e p r e s s i o n , s o m e a n g e r , criticism, a n d inadequacies. At the same time you have helped three p e o p l e c o m e to k n o w C h r i s t as t h e i r L o r d a n d S a v i o r . T h e monthly board meeting went smoothly. Congregational g i v i n g is u p . Y o u r s e r m o n o u t l i n e j e l l e d o n T u e s d a y . T h a t n o t e of a p p r e c i a t i o n c a m e in t h e m a i l o n T h u r s d a y . N o w it is S u n d a y m o r n i n g . In a f e w m o m e n t s y o u will s t e p t o t h e pulpit a n d preach. Y o u have d o n e your h o m e w o r k — y o u k n o w what y o u a r e g o i n g to p r e a c h . Y o u h a v e b e e n w i t h y o u r p e o p l e — y o u k n o w to whom y o u a r e g o i n g to p r e a c h . Y o u r text is 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 2 : 2 5 - 2 6 : . . . so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. In y o u r s e r m o n y o u p o i n t o u t that this text is u s i n g t h e h u m a n b o d y to illustrate h o w t h e spiritual b o d y , t h e c h u r c h , s h o u l d f u n c t i o n . P e o p l e in t h e c h u r c h s h o u l d h a v e m u t u a l c o n c e r n for e a c h o t h e r . T h a t is t h e p r i n c i p l e in v e r s e 2 5 . 70

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher T w o specific i m p l i c a t i o n s o r illustrations a r e g i v e n in v e r s e 2 6 . If a m e m b e r of t h e c h u r c h is s u f f e r i n g , all t h e o t h e r m e m b e r s o f t h e c h u r c h s h o u l d s u f f e r w i t h t h a t o n e , a n d if a m e m b e r is h o n o r e d , all t h e o t h e r m e m b e r s s h o u l d r e j o i c e w i t h t h a t o n e . T h a t is t h e w a y a h e a l t h y h u m a n b o d y f u n c t i o n s . If t h e r e is p l e a s u r e in t h e t a s t e b u d s , t h e w h o l e b o d y licks its l i p s . T h a t ' s a s s u m i n g t h e r e is a h e a l t h y c o m m u n i c a t i o n s y s t e m o p e r a t i n g in t h e h u m a n b o d y . T h e s a m e o u g h t to b e true in t h e c h u r c h . If t h e r e a r e o p e n , h o n e s t r e l a t i o n s h i p s in t h e local c h u r c h , t h e n n o o n e s u f f e r s alone a n d n o o n e rejoices alone. A t t h i s p o i n t y o u relate t h i s t r u t h t o t h e life-setting of y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n b y m e n t i o n i n g t h e fact t h a t F r e d M a r t i n g o t laid off f r o m h i s j o b last w e e k a n d their third b a b y is d u e in a m o n t h . T h e M a r t i n s a r e h u r t i n g — a n d t h e e n t i r e b o d y is g o i n g to h e l p t h e m b e a r t h e b u r d e n . Y o u also a n n o u n c e that Jody Bird and Chet Jordan have just b e c o m e engaged and will b e m a r r i e d s o o n . T h e i n f o r m e d b o d y r e j o i c e s w i t h J o d y a n d C h e t . In t h e c o m i n g w e e k s , m a n y m e m b e r s will b e i n v o l v e d i n h e l p i n g this y o u n g c o u p l e p r e p a r e for t h e w e d d i n g a n d m a r r i e d life. N o w c o m e s a crucial m o m e n t in y o u r s e r m o n . Y o u h a v e s t r u g g l e d all w e e k w i t h t h e i d e a o f s h a r i n g s o m e t h i n g f r o m y o u r o w n l i f e - s e t t i n g — a m a t t e r of s u f f e r i n g , a m a t t e r o f r e j o i c i n g . Y o u r i n t e r n a l d i a l o g u e h a s g o n e like t h i s : " T h e t r u t h s o f this p a s s a g e a p p l y to all m e m b e r s o f t h e body, pastors included." " I k n o w t h a t , b u t at t h e s a m e t i m e I a m t o b e o n e t h e y l o o k u p t o , a l e a d e r w h o is m o r e t h a n a c o n q u e r o r , o n e w h o s h o u l d b e m a s t e r i n g t h e p r o b l e m s o f life o n a d a y - t o - d a y basis." " O k a y , t h e n tell t h e m all a b o u t t h e s e daily v i c t o r i e s . " " W e l l , a s a m a t t e r o f fact, I h a v e a d a y o f d e f e a t n o w and t h e n . " 71

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING " T e l l t h e m a b o u t that t o o . " " I ' m afraid t h e y will lose c o n f i d e n c e in m e if I s h a r e a personal problem from the pulpit." " A n d I ' m afraid t h a t I'll c o m e a c r o s s as b o a s t i n g , if I s h a r e a n area of s u c c e s s . " " S o y o u w a n t to b e o n e of t h o s e m i d d l e - o f - t h e - r o a d m i n i s t e r s — n i c e , neat, and neutral, a cool d u d e w h o conveys to e v e r y o n e that y o u ' v e got y o u r act t o g e t h e r . " " N o , I w o u l d really like to b e a p p r o p r i a t e l y h o n e s t a b o u t s o m e of t h e p o s i t i v e s a n d n e g a t i v e s in m y life, b u t f r a n k l y , I ' m afraid t o try i t . " B u t y o u d i d ! Y o u m e n t i o n e d that y o u c o n s t a n t l y s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e p r o b l e m of d o i n g t h i n g s at t h e last m o m e n t , a n d a s k e d y o u r p e o p l e to p r a y for y o u a n d h o l d y o u accountable. T h e n you took a few m o m e n t s and detailed a c o u p l e of t h i n g s y o u did last w e e k t o b u i l d y o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h y o u r w i f e a n d c h i l d r e n . A s a r e s u l t of t h e s e t w o u n v e i l i n g s , y o u r credibility a s a p e r s o n , p a s t o r , a n d p r e a c h e r is o n t h e r i s e . 2

3. Projecting Into the Future W e h a v e talked a b o u t r e m e m b e r i n g y o u r p a s t a n d r e v e a l i n g y o u r p r e s e n t . D o i n g t h e s e a l l o w s y o u to c r e a t i v e l y u s e y o u r life-setting in y o u r p r e a c h i n g . T h e r e is o n e m o r e d i m e n s i o n to y o u r life-setting t h a t n e e d s a t t e n t i o n . It is t h e future. W e all like to t h i n k a n d p l a n a h e a d . W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then N e w Year's, then spring break, then s u m m e r vacation. W e anticipate events such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, buying a n e w car, t a k i n g a trip, a d d i n g a r o o m to t h e h o u s e , a d d i n g a b a b y to the f a m i l y , a n d s o o n . T h o u g h e a r t h b o u n d a n d t i m e - c o n s t r a i n e d , w e h a v e b e e n g i v e n t h e ability b y G o d t o t h i n k 72

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher beyond the here, beyond the now. So we dream dreams and set g o a l s — f o r tomorrow, next w e e k , next m o n t h , next year. W e project ourselves, our ministries, our churches, into the future. W h y ? B e c a u s e t h e just a r e to live b y faith, a n d faith h a s to d o w i t h w h a t w e h o p e for, y e t w h a t w e d o n o t s e e ( H e b . 11:1). If y o u h a v e t h e gift of faith, t h e n y o u a r e e n d o w e d w i t h t h e u n i q u e , G o d - g i v e n ability to e n v i s i o n w h a t n e e d s to b e d o n e ; w h a t c a n b e d o n e . G o d h a s b e s t o w e d o n y o u t h e c a p a c i t y to c o m b i n e i n s i g h t a n d f o r e s i g h t . Y o u h a v e t h e v i r t u e s of a f a n a t i c , w i t h o u t the v i c e s . S u c h a gift t e n d s t o m a k e y o u a futurist. A s i g n i f i c a n t a s p e c t of y o u r l i f e - s e t t i n g is p r o p h e t i c . A s y o u link t h e text o f S c r i p t u r e t o t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n , y o u a r e n o t d o i n g it j u s t to i n f o r m t h e m , b u t a l s o t o m o t i v a t e a n d m o b i l i z e t h e m w i t h r e f e r e n c e to w h a t G o d c a n a n d will d o in t h e f u t u r e — t h e f u t u r e of t h e i r c h u r c h a n d t h e i r lives. E v e n if y o u d o n ' t p o s s e s s t h e gift o f f a i t h , y o u a r e still o b l i g a t e d to b e c o m p e t e n t i n b e l i e v i n g , for w i t h o u t faith it is i m p o s s i b l e t o p l e a s e G o d ( H e b . 11:6; cf. M a t t . 6:30; G a l . 3 : 1 1 ; C o l . 2 : 6 - 7 ) . T h u s , a n y a n d all p r e a c h e r s s h o u l d b e p e r s o n s of f a i t h , p e r s o n s w h o a r e c o n s t a n t l y e x t e n d i n g t h e i r life-setting i n t o t h e f u t u r e . S o let y o u r p e o p l e i n o n w h a t y o u s e e G o d d o i n g in y o u r life a n d t h e i r s i n t h e c o m i n g d a y s . W h a t c h a r a c t e r qualities d o y o u w a n t to d e v e l o p ? W h a t w e a k n e s s e s d o y o u w a n t t o s t r e n g t h e n ? W h a t skills d o y o u w a n t to s h a r p e n a n d r e f i n e ? W h a t h a b i t s of h o l i n e s s d o y o u w a n t to inculcate? In w h a t d i r e c t i o n d o y o u s e e t h e c h u r c h g o i n g ? W h a t n e w p r o g r a m s d o y o u s e e n e e d e d ? W h a t staff n e e d s a r e y o u p r o j e c t i n g ? W h e r e d o y o u w a n t to p l a n t a n e w c h u r c h ? W h a t target g r o u p s s h o u l d b e e v a n g e l i z e d ? W h a t n u m e r i c a l g r o w t h a r e y o u a i m i n g for? It w o n ' t all b e p o s i t i v e . F a i t h s e e s w h a t G o d c a n d o in u s a n d t h r o u g h u s . F a i t h a l s o s e e s w h a t c a n h a p p e n if w e r e m a i n i g n o r a n t or c o n t i n u e to d i s o b e y G o d . T h e preacher m u s t w a r n as well as c o m m a n d a n d c h a l l e n g e . H e m u s t s h a r e his b u r d e n s a n d fears a s w e l l a s h i s aspirations. It's r i s k y to d r e a m o u t l o u d . Y o u will r e c e i v e criticism 73

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING a n d r e j e c t i o n . T h e r e m a y b e n o n c h a l a n c e a n d a p a t h y that will s l o w l y deflate y o u r e g o a n d e n t h u s i a s m . T h e r e c a n b e premature commitment, where people jump on your bandw a g o n for a w h i l e a n d t h e n slide off w h e n t h e r o a d g e t s rough and you aren't looking. Share your burdens and your visions. Introduce t h e m slowly. Explain t h e m carefully. Be persistent without being obnoxious. Be patient without g e t t i n g d e p r e s s e d . T r y o u t t h e radical i d e a s first o n y o u r b o a r d , y o u r staff, a n d o t h e r o p i n i o n l e a d e r s in y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . I n e v i t a b l y y o u will f i n d o t h e r v i s i o n a r i e s in y o u r c h u r c h . T h e y m a y b e o n y o u r w a v e l e n g t h or o n o n e of t h e i r o w n . S o y o u will h a v e to l i s t e n as w e l l a s talk. Y o u will h a v e to b e o p e n to their s u g g e s t i o n s , as y o u e x p e c t t h e m to b e o p e n to y o u r s . P r e a c h e r s d o n o t h a v e a m o n o p o l y o n n e w ideas. W e r e p e a t , it is r i s k y t o d r e a m o u t l o u d . It is t h r e a t e n i n g t o p r y t h e lid off y o u r f a n t a s i e s a n d d r e a m s a n d t h e n p o u r t h e m o u t in p u b l i c w h e r e p e o p l e c a n listen to t h e m , analyze t h e m , evaluate t h e m , and accept or reject t h e m . W e all h a v e a f e a r o f i n t i m a c y . E v e n t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n is a bit uneasy w h e n the preacher bares his soul, because that forces e a c h l i s t e n e r to g r a p p l e w i t h h i s o r h e r g o a l s for t h e f u t u r e — goals that m a y be diametrically different from the preacher's, or g o a l s t h a t m a y b e n o n e x i s t e n t . A well-rounded life-setting can a n d should include o n e ' s t h o u g h t s a n d f e e l i n g s a b o u t t h e f u t u r e . It is a t r a g e d y for t h e p r e a c h e r t o o m i t t h e s e factors f r o m h i s s e r m o n s . It o n l y s e r v e s t o d i l u t e h i s m e s s a g e b y d e l e t i n g a critical d i m e n s i o n f r o m t h e act of p r e a c h i n g . IN

SUMMARY

W e h a v e h i g h l i g h t e d t h e s o v e r e i g n t y of G o d as it r e l a t e s to y o u r p e r s o n a l e n d o w m e n t s a n d y o u r p e r s o n a l e x p e r i ences. W e then underscored the importance of appropriate self-disclosure, w h e r e b y your s e r m o n s can b e creatively enhanced by remembering your past, revealing your pres e n t , a n d p r o j e c t i n g y o u r f u t u r e . T h e g o a l of t h e c h a p t e r is t o 74

Creatively Using the Life-Setting of the Preacher make you more human, more transparent, more competent, a n d m o r e a w a r e of y o u r u n i q u e n e s s a s a p r e a c h e r . N o w it is u p to y o u . M a k e u p t h e s u g g e s t e d lists a n d u s e t h e m regularly.

75

6 Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching C ^ u e s t i o n : If t h e H o l y Spirit w e r e t o write a b o o k on creative p r e a c h i n g , h o w m a n y p a g e s w o u l d it h a v e ? A n s w e r : It w o u l d h a v e a n infinite n u m b e r of p a g e s . T h a t ' s a lot of p a g e s . B u t t h e fact t h a t t h e H o l y Spirit is o m n i s c i e n t d e m a n d s t h e a n s w e r s t a t e d a b o v e . T h e r e a r e an infinite n u m b e r of w a y s H e c a n c o m m u n i c a t e t r u t h . T h e fact t h a t e v e r y h u m a n b e i n g is a u n i q u e l y e n d o w e d a n d u n i q u e l y e x p e r i e n c e d i n d i v i d u a l a l s o s u p p o r t s t h e a n s w e r . T h e r e are a n infinite n u m b e r o f w a y s t h e H o l y Spirit c a n c o m m u n i c a t e t r u t h through us. T h o u g h w e all p r e a c h t h e s a m e W o r d , a n d t h o u g h w e a r e all i n d w e l t b y t h e s a m e Spirit, n o b o d y p r e a c h e s e x a c t l y like a n y o n e e l s e . N o , w e a r e n o t g o i n g t o try t o stuff infinity i n t o t h e n e x t t w o c h a p t e r s . R a t h e r , w e a r e g o i n g to c o n t i n u e to e x p a n d o u r h o m i l e t i c a l h o r i z o n s to a l l o w u s to s e e m o r e o p t i o n s a n d a l t e r n a t i v e s in o u r p r e a c h i n g . W e h a v e d e f i n e d creativity as t h e ability to t a k e t h e t h i n g s t h a t h a v e b e e n c r e a t e d a n d u s e t h e m in n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s . T h e text of S c r i p t u r e h a s b e e n b r o u g h t i n t o b e i n g b y G o d . W e d o n ' t c r e a t e t h e text. W e s e e k to u n d e r s t a n d it a n d c o m m u n i c a t e it creatively, that is, in n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t w a y s . 77

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING It w o u l d b e p r e s u m p t u o u s of m e to i n t i m a t e that e v e r y t h i n g I p r e s e n t is n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t a n d that m y i d e a s are c o m p r e h e n s i v e a n d c o m p l e t e . I a m in p r o c e s s , j u s t as y o u a r e . S o m e of m y i d e a s will b e familiar. Let t h e m b e a n e n c o u r a g i n g r e i n f o r c e m e n t t o y o u r m i n i s t r y . S o m e will b e n e w . L e t t h e m b e a c h a l l e n g e to y o u . B e s l o w to r e j e c t t h e m . B e w i l l i n g to try t h e m . A d a p t t h e m to y o u r G o d - g i v e n uniqueness. W h e n w e e x p l o r e c r e a t i v e w a y s of c o m m u n i c a t i n g t r u t h , w e h a v e to b e careful n o t to a l l o w t h e m e t h o d to dominate the message. W e have an unbridled commitment to s t u d y t h e W o r d carefully a n d to p r e a c h it c o n s i s t e n t l y . A s e l e c t e d a s s o r t m e n t o f d i f f e r e n t w a y s to d o this is n o t to p r o m p t p r e a c h e r s t o b e c l e v e r , c u t e or w e i r d . It is to s t i m u l a t e t h e m to realize that t h e r e is m o r e t h a n o n e b e s t w a y t o p r e a c h ; as a m a t t e r of fact, t h e r e a r e m o r e t h a n a f e w g o o d w a y s t o p r e a c h . F o r e a c h of u s , t h e r e a r e a n u n l i m i t e d n u m b e r of g o o d w a y s t o p r e a c h . W e a r e n ' t t r y i n g to f o m e n t f a d s ; w e a r e e a r n e s t l y s e e k i n g t o facilitate t h e t r a n s f e r of i d e a s a n d t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n of i n d i v i d u a l s . A WORD ABOUT

VARIETY

V a r i e t y n o t o n l y k e e p s u s o n t h e H o l y S p i r i t ' s track, b u t a l s o facilitates a n effective redundancy. People n e e d rem i n d e r s a n d r e v i e w t o r e i n f o r c e w h a t t h e y k n o w (2 P e t e r 1 : 1 2 - 1 5 ) . W h e n w e s a y the s a m e t h i n g s o v e r a n d o v e r , w e a r e b e i n g r e d u n d a n t . T h e r e is a p u r p o s e f u l r e d u n d a n c y , d e s i g n e d t o r e d u c e u n c e r t a i n t y . H o w e v e r , if w e r e p e a t t h i n g s o v e r a n d o v e r in e s s e n t i a l l y t h e s a m e w a y , w e a r e being boringly repetitious—I say, boringly repetitious. Hear m e n o w , I m e a n boringly repetitious. Vary the ways you c o m m u n i c a t e t h e s a m e t r u t h , a n d y o u will h a v e a m o r e effective r e d u n d a n c y . If w e u s e t h e s a m e t e c h n i q u e s o v e r a n d o v e r , e v e n t u ally o u r p r e a c h i n g will b e c o m e t o o predictable. High predictability c a n l e s s e n l i s t e n e r a t t e n t i o n a n d c o n c e n t r a t i o n . It c a n h a v e a n u m b i n g , n e u t r a l i z i n g effect o n t h o s e m e m b e r s of t h e 78

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching c o n g r e g a t i o n w h o a r e still a w a k e . V a r i e t y will p r o d u c e a m e a s u r e o f a n t i c i p a t i o n t h a t will attract a n d h o l d t h e l i s t e n e r s ' a t t e n t i o n . B u t d o n ' t p u s h a g o o d t h i n g t o o far. T o b e totally u n p r e d i c t a b l e in y o u r p r e a c h i n g m e t h o d o l o g y is t o o u n s e t t l i n g for p e o p l e . W e all n e e d a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of routine. V a r i e t y facilitates o u r ability to r e l a t e to individual m e m b e r s of the congregation. People listen, learn, a n d r e s p o n d in d i f f e r e n t w a y s a n d at d i f f e r e n t r a t e s . W e v a r y o u r p r e a c h i n g m e t h o d s to t a k e t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l d i f f e r e n c e s i n t o a c c o u n t . F u r t h e r m o r e , if w e u s e a v a r i e t y of p r e a c h i n g m e t h o d s and employ t h e m effectively, w e provide a powerful, p o s i t i v e m o d e l for t h e p r e a c h i n g a n d t e a c h i n g staff a n d for t h e y o u n g m e n a n d w o m e n i n t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n w h o will o n e d a y b e in t h e m i n i s t r y . T h a t is h o w t h e t h e o r y w o r k s . N o w l e t ' s t u r n t o specific practice. USING THE TAPE

RECORDER

T h e first a n d m o s t i m p o r t a n t u s e o f t h e t a p e r e c o r d e r is to r e c o r d o u r s e r m o n s a n d l i s t e n t o t h e m . D o it at l e a s t o n c e a m o n t h for t h e first t h r e e y e a r s o f y o u r m i n i s t r y ; t w o or t h r e e t i m e s a y e a r a f t e r t h a t . T h e t a p e r e c o r d e r d o e s n o t lie. P u t S c r i p t u r e r e a d i n g s o n t a p e for a c h a n g e o f p a c e in the morning worship service. Use s o m e o n e w h o has a good v o i c e a n d k n o w s h o w to d o i n t e r p r e t i v e r e a d i n g . P u t a c r o s s r e f e r e n c e o n t a p e i n s t e a d o f h a v i n g e v e r y b o d y l o o k it u p a n d t h e n r e a d i n g it to t h e m . S u p p o s e y o u a r e p r e a c h i n g o n t h e nature of the h u m a n heart from Mark 7 : 1 7 - 2 3 . You might p a u s e for a m o m e n t a n d s a y : 1

" T h e prophet Jeremiah also understood the nature of the human heart, and spoke clearly about it. Listen carefully to what he had to s a y . " O n tape, and probably best w h e n put through your sound system, b o o m s the voice of Jeremiah, slowly and deliberately saying: 79

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING " T h e heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure" (Jeremiah 17:9). J e r e m i a h m i g h t r e p e a t it f o r e m p h a s i s o r a d d v e r s e 10. S u p p o s e t h e r e is a n i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e text totally d i f f e r e n t f r o m y o u r s . Y o u w a n t to m e n t i o n it a n d d e a l w i t h it. W h y n o t p u t it o n t a p e a n d r u n it t h r o u g h y o u r s o u n d s y s t e m at t h e a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e in t h e s e r m o n ? O r y o u t a l k e d with s o m e o n e during the w e e k w h o has been struggling w i t h t h e p r o b l e m o n w h i c h y o u are p r e a c h i n g . C a p t u r e in capsule form your conversation on tape. Y o u m i g h t p u t s o m e live o p i n i o n i n t e r v i e w s o n t a p e . A p p r o a c h p e o p l e in t h e s h o p p i n g m a l l , o r in t h e c h u r c h p a r k i n g lot, a n d a s k t h e m w h a t t h e y t h i n k a b o u t capital p u n i s h m e n t , n u c l e a r w a r , C h r i s t i a n s r u n n i n g for p r e s i d e n t , G o d , t h e c h u r c h — w h a t e v e r it is y o u a r e p r e a c h i n g a b o u t . P u t g e r m a n e c o m m e n t s t h r o u g h t h e s o u n d s y s t e m . T h e y will a d d a f r e s h b r e a t h of s e c u l a r reality to y o u r s e r m o n . T h e i n n e r s t r u g g l e s of o n e ' s c o n s c i e n c e in t h e h e a t of temptation can be recorded and played. Even possible a t t i t u d e s o r q u e s t i o n s that m e m b e r s of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n might have about the message could be put on tape. At the b e g i n n i n g of t h e s e r m o n y o u s a y : "I'm preaching on prophecy this morning. I wish I could read some of your minds. I'd sure like to know . . . honestly now . . . what you really think about prophecy . . . " A n d o n t a p e c o m e s a n u m b e r of i n d i v i d u a l s c a n d i d l y v o i c i n g their opinions: "Prophecy scares m e to death. If I wasn't sitting up near the front, I'd leave right n o w . " "It's all about the future . . . way up in heaven. Why don't you talk about something p r a c t i c a l . . . for me . . . right here and n o w . " " O h boy, another eschatological escapade . . . telling us which prophetic prefix we hold to . . . pre-, post-, mid-, or a-! I'm confused! Why didn't God give us a simple timetable that everybody can agree o n . " 80

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching T h e r e a r e s o m e u s e f u l g u i d e l i n e s for u s i n g a t a p e r e c o r d e r in w o r s h i p . U s e g o o d e q u i p m e n t — t a p e s , r e c o r d e r s , a n d P A . D o n ' t talk t o o fast. R e h e a r s e until it b e c o m e s n a t u r a l . A script will s a v e y o u lots of t i m e . A v o i d l a s t - m i n u t e p r e p a r a t i o n ; y o u will s e l d o m g e t quality u n d e r p r e s s u r e . K e e p it s h o r t ; o n e or t w o m i n u t e s is p l e n t y . D o n ' t u s e your v o i c e o n t a p e , u n l e s s it's y o u r c o n s c i e n c e or y o u r s t r u g g l e s ; u s e t h e v o i c e s o f p e o p l e i n t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n . L o o k for t h o s e w i t h skills in r e a d i n g , i n t e r p r e t i n g , a n d a c t i n g . U s e m e n ' s and w o m e n ' s voices. Use children, youth, and adults. USING LIVE

VOICES

E v e r y t h i n g w e h a v e j u s t m e n t i o n e d w i t h r e g a r d to t h e t a p e r e c o r d e r c a n also b e d o n e l i v e , w i t h t h e p e r s o n visible in t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n or u n s e e n o f f s t a g e . T h e m a i n p o i n t of this is to m o v e a w a y f r o m m o n o l o g u e f o r a m o m e n t a n d e n g a g e in d i a l o g u e . B e c a u s e it is d i f f e r e n t , a n d t h u s relatively u n p r e d i c t a b l e , it will a l w a y s c a p t u r e t h e i m m e d i a t e , total a t t e n t i o n of e a c h p e r s o n in t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n . Y o u m i g h t p l a n t o h a v e s o m e o n e i n t e r r u p t y o u at a p r e a r r a n g e d p o i n t to c h a l l e n g e a c o n c e p t y o u a r e d e v e l o p i n g , o r to a s k a q u e s t i o n p r o m p t e d b y y o u r m e s s a g e , o r t o s e e k clarification. S u p p o s e y o u are preaching on 2 T i m o t h y 2:22 and are d e v e l o p i n g t h e first c l a u s e : " F l e e t h e evil d e s i r e s o f y o u t h . " A t e e n a g e r ' s v o i c e m i g h t c o m e i n t o t h e r o o m f r o m an offstage mike, saying: " M y friends and I need a bit of help. Every time we hear this from you adults, it seems to end up as a reference to sex. We are beginning to get the impression that life for us teenagers is basically staying away from each other." N o w you have everyone's undivided attention. You can g o a h e a d a n d d i a l o g u e w i t h t h e o f f s t a g e t e e n a g e r , letting t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n listen in o n y o u r c o n v e r s a t i o n , o r y o u c a n i n f o r m t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n is valid a n d y o u i n t e n d to a d d r e s s it. 81

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING W h e n y o u u s e this m e t h o d , realize that y o u a r e a t t e m p t i n g to raise a n d deal w i t h t h e k i n d s of q u e s t i o n s t h a t m e m b e r s of y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n a r e or s h o u l d b e a s k i n g . O n occasion you or another person can play the devil's advocate. Or one person can represent the entire congregation and b e c o m e its alter e g o . O n e Sunday evening I was preaching on the authority of S c r i p t u r e . T h e r e w e r e m a n y c o l l e g e s t u d e n t s in t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n , s o m e of w h o m I k n e w w e r e s t r u g g l i n g w i t h b e l i e v i n g in t h e a u t h o r i t y of a text w r i t t e n t h o u s a n d s of y e a r s a g o ; skeptical a b o u t i n s p i r a t i o n , i n e r r a n c y , a n d s o o n . S o I worked with a layman during the week; then, while I w a s p r e a c h i n g , h e w o u l d p o s e , at p r e a r r a n g e d p o i n t s in a slightly s k e p t i c a l w a y , t h e k i n d s of q u e s t i o n s the c o l l e g i a n s w e r e a s k i n g or w e r e b e i n g a s k e d b y their s k e p t i c a l , u n s a v e d p e e r s . W e a n s w e r e d t h e q u e s t i o n s f r o m t h e text. D i a l o g u e o f this sort n e e d n o t e l i m i n a t e e x p o s i t i o n . T h e person can dialogue with you in the s a n c t u a r y — from the platform, from the choir, from the balcony, from t h e m a i n floor. S o m e o n e m i g h t a s k f o r , o r g i v e , a n illustration o r a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e t r u t h y o u a r e p r e s e n t i n g . O n e c o u l d h e a r t i l y a g r e e w i t h a n i d e a y o u a r e p r e s e n t i n g . If y o u a r e p r e s e n t i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t is a bit d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h e traditional a p p r o a c h — s a y , f o r e x a m p l e , a c o n t e x t u a l i n t e r p r e t a tion of R e v e l a t i o n 3 : 2 0 — y o u will h a v e s o m e u n e a s y , s t a r t l e d p e o p l e . W h y n o t h e a r f r o m o n e o r t w o of t h e m ? S o m e guidelines for planned dialogue are appropriate. A g o o d s o u n d s y s t e m h e l p s . A l s o b e a w a r e of t h e p o t e n t i a l s h o c k to t h e a u d i e n c e w h e n a v o i c e cries o u t of t h e wilderness! Your response should be somewhere between s u r p r i s e a n d n o n c h a l a n c e . R e s i s t t h e t e m p t a t i o n to o v e r s t a t e y o u r c a s e or o v e r w h e l m t h e o t h e r p e r s o n in t h e d i a l o g u e . R e l a t e y o u r c o m m e n t s to t h e biblical text. Y o u can h a v e t h e person spontaneously interrupt you, or you can request the r e s p o n s e . If y o u d o t h e latter, m a k e s u r e y o u r p l a n n e d p a r t n e r s p e a k s o u t quickly; s o m e b o d y e l s e m a y w a n t to g e t i n t o t h e act w i t h o u t a script! N a t u r a l h u m o r a r i s e s easily o u t of t h e s e d i a l o g u e s ; j u s t d o n ' t let it get o u t of h a n d . P r a c t i c e . 82

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching Practice o n l o c a t i o n . Q u i t w h i l e y o u a r e a h e a d ; allow t w o to t h r e e m i n u t e s at t h e m o s t for this e x e r c i s e . INTERVIEWING

INDIVIDUALS

Tuesday n o o n you have lunch with Dan Wright. He s h a r e s w i t h y o u h o w h e is h a n d l i n g t h e fact that h e w a s laid off t h r e e w e e k s a g o a n d h a s n o t yet f o u n d a n o t h e r j o b . In a unique way h e has been drawing on God's varied resources to carry h i m a n d his family t h r o u g h this p r e s s u r e p e r i o d . Y o u k n o w t h e rest of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n w o u l d profit f r o m h e a r i n g D a n a n d y o u a s k h i m to s h a r e t h e s e i n s i g h t s n e x t S u n d a y in the e v e n i n g s e r v i c e . H e a g r e e s . B u t S u n d a y e v e n i n g is a d i s a s t e r . D a n is afraid of t h e m i k e a n d d o e s n ' t u s e it. H i s soft v o i c e b a r e l y m a k e s it to t h e first r o w . H e l e a v e s out t w o - t h i r d s of w h a t h e told y o u , a n d t h e third h e p r e s e n t s is d i s o r g a n i z e d a n d r a m b l i n g . Y o u r r e s p o n s e ? " I ' l l n e v e r d o that a g a i n . " W a i t a m i n u t e ! B e f o r e y o u t h r o w in t h e t e s t i m o n y t o w e l , try t h e i n t e r v i e w m e t h o d . W h a t y o u really w a n t is to duplicate the conversation you and D a n had over lunch on Tuesday. You can accomplish that by interviewing Dan on S u n d a y e v e n i n g . P u t a l a p e l m i k e o n h i m . H a v e h i m sit o n a stool or a n e a s y c h a i r a c r o s s f r o m y o u o n t h e p l a t f o r m , a n d in a casual interview draw out the insights he shared with you. P e o p l e e n j o y l i s t e n i n g to a c o n v e r s a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n it c o n t a i n s p e r s o n a l d e t a i l s a b o u t i n d i v i d u a l s , d i f f e r i n g p o i n t s of v i e w , a n d h u m o r . I n t e r v i e w i n g a l l o w s y o u to t a p o n e or m o r e of t h e s e a r e a s . H e r e are s o m e w a y s to u s e t h e interview m e t h o d : • N e w believers—incidents and individuals that G o d used in their c o n v e r s i o n e x p e r i e n c e . • N e w m e m b e r s — w h o are they? W h e r e do they c o m e from? W h a t d o they do? W h y did they c h o o s e this church? • Missionaries—candidates on deputation, those on h o m e a s s i g n m e n t . T h e i r w o r k , their n e e d s , their p l a n s , their frustrations. 83

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING • C o l l e g e or s e m i n a r y s t u d e n t s h o m e o n studies, future plans.

vacation—their

• N e w l e a d e r s in t h e c h u r c h — t h e i r gifts, their g o a l s . • Special occasions—anniversaries, m o v i n g away, graduation, e n g a g e m e n t , marriage, short-term missionaries, retirement, etc. T h e s e k i n d s of i n t e r v i e w s c o u l d b e i n t e g r a t e d i n t o s e r m o n s or s t a n d a l o n e in o t h e r p a r t s of t h e s e r v i c e . D o n ' t stop with the foregoing suggestions. Put your c r e a t i v e i m a g i n a t i o n to w o r k . S t a r t i n g a series o n G a l a t i a n s ? In y o u r first m e s s a g e i n t e r v i e w t h e a u t h o r — t h e a p o s t l e P a u l . A s k h i m w h y h e w r o t e t h e l e t t e r , w h e r e h e w a s at t h e t i m e , to w h o m h e w r o t e it, h o w h e is g e t t i n g a l o n g w i t h P e t e r , h o w h e feels a b o u t t h e G a l a t i a n s , w h a t p r o m p t e d h i m t o u s e s u c h s t r o n g l a n g u a g e in 3 : 1 , w h a t h e did for t h r e e y e a r s in A r a b i a ( 1 : 1 7 ) , a n d w h y h e calls a t t e n t i o n to his w r i t i n g in 6 : 1 1 . T h i s m e t h o d will a l l o w y o u t o c o v e r w h a t is o f t e n p e d a n t i c i n t r o d u c t o r y m a t e r i a l in a n i n t e r e s t i n g , u n u s u a l way. Y o u c o u l d u s e t h e s a m e t e c h n i q u e w i t h r e f e r e n c e to a n y biblical c h a r a c t e r — a b o u t a p a r t i c u l a r e x p e r i e n c e h e o r s h e h a d w h i c h is r e c o r d e d in S c r i p t u r e , o r a b o u t a l e s s o n l e a r n e d , a d e c i s i o n m a d e , a t r u t h p r e s e n t e d , or w h a t w a s r e a l l y m e a n t i n a g i v e n v e r s e of S c r i p t u r e . N o w a n d t h e n m a k e a s e c o n d h a n d illustration y o u r o w n by using an interview approach. Betty related an i n c i d e n t d u r i n g t h e w e e k that b e a u t i f u l l y illustrates a p o i n t y o u a r e g o i n g to m a k e in y o u r s e r m o n . I n s t e a d of telling t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n w h a t s h e s a i d , p a u s e a n d interact w i t h h e r right t h e r e in t h e s a n c t u a r y d u r i n g t h e s e r m o n . Y o u c a n dialogue b e t w e e n pulpit and p e w , or y o u can ask her to c o m e u p to t h e p l a t f o r m a n d i n t e r a c t w i t h h e r t h e r e , p u t t i n g h e r a t a m i c r o p h o n e t o b e s u r e s h e i s h e a r d b y e v e r y o n e . All t h i s , of c o u r s e , w o u l d b e p l a n n e d a h e a d a n d r e h e a r s e d . H e r e a r e s o m e h i n t s for b e t t e r i n t e r v i e w i n g . D o n ' t preface your questions with unnecessary words such as " L e t m e a s k y o u a q u e s t i o n . " A s k s i m p l e , specific q u e s t i o n s : 84

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching " H o w w e r e y o u s a v e d ? " is t o o c o m p l e x a n d t o o g e n e r a l ; " W h a t i n c i d e n t did G o d first u s e to m a k e y o u a w a r e of y o u r spiritual n e e d ? " is s i m p l e a n d s i n g u l a r . U s e b o t h fact a n d f e e l i n g q u e s t i o n s . " W h e n d i d y o u get m a r r i e d ? " " W h o told y o u it w a s w r o n g ? " T h e s e a r e fact questions; ask plenty of t h e m . " H o w did you k n o w you were in l o v e ? " " H o w did y o u r e a c t w h e n y o u f o u n d o u t it w a s w r o n g ? " T h e s e a r e f e e l i n g q u e s t i o n s ; a s k p l e n t y of t h e m t o o . T h e i n t e r v i e w e e s a r e a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t y t o this dial o g u e . T h e y s h o u l d a n s w e r q u e s t i o n s briefly a n d t o t h e p o i n t . D r a w o u t m o r e detail w i t h f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s . If y o u a s k , " W h e r e w e r e y o u b o r n ? " a n d t h e y p r o c e e d t o give their life h i s t o r y , d i a l o g u e s h u t s d o w n a n d y o u l o s e t h e d y n a m i c of a g o o d i n t e r v i e w . L a s t b u t n o t l e a s t , e v e n t h o u g h a n i n t e r v i e w c a n a n d s h o u l d h a v e f r e s h n e s s a n d s p o n t a n e i t y , it s h o u l d b e r e h e a r s e d ; and it is perfectly acceptable to u s e notes. PRINTED

MATERIALS

A s k e l e t a l s e r m o n o u t l i n e in t h e b u l l e t i n will p r o m p t m a n y p e o p l e to follow t h e s e r m o n m o r e c l o s e l y a n d t a k e n o t e s . A c o m p l e t e o u t l i n e g i v e s t h e m m o r e d e t a i l b u t less i n c e n t i v e to w r i t e . S o m e " f i l l - i n - t h e - b l a n k " o u t l i n e s m a y stimulate m o r e active involvement. H o w about a pre-sermon q u i z in t h e b u l l e t i n t o w h e t t h e i r a p p e t i t e for w h a t is c o m i n g , or to test their k n o w l e d g e o f t h e s u b j e c t o r t h e i r a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d it? Y o u m i g h t try a q u e s t i o n in t h e b u l l e t i n for p e o p l e to p o n d e r b e f o r e t h e m e s s a g e , o r a t e a s e r q u e s t i o n o r i n t e r e s t - c a t c h i n g s t a t e m e n t i n t h i s w e e k ' s b u l l e t i n for n e x t week's sermon. D e v e l o p a brief set of a g r e e / d i s a g r e e s t a t e m e n t s that relate t o t o d a y ' s or n e x t w e e k ' s s e r m o n , o r a d i a g r a m t h a t g r a p h i c a l l y relates to t h e s e r m o n t o p i c — f o r e x a m p l e , a t e e t e r - t o t t e r d r a w n in t h e b u l l e t i n e a c h S u n d a y f o r a series o n living t h e b a l a n c e d life. H a v e y o u tried a practical a p p l i c a t i o n a s s i g n m e n t p r i n t e d u p a n d p a s s e d o u t t o m e m b e r s of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n a s t h e y l e a v e , d e s i g n e d for d i s c u s s i o n at t h e 85

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING n o o n m e a l or to b e u s e d in p e r s o n a l d e v o t i o n s d u r i n g t h e week? M a p s , charts, stimulating or controversial quotes, s e r m o n s y n o p s e s , a n d t h e like c a n a l s o be p r i n t e d . H e r e a r e s o m e g u i d e l i n e s for u s i n g print m e d i a . K e e p t h e material s i m p l e a n d u n c l u t t e r e d . (It h e l p s if y o u r s e r m o n also h a s t h o s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . ) R e f e r to p r i n t e d h e l p s . E n c o u r a g e u s e of t h e m . D o n ' t a s s u m e p e o p l e l o v e to r e a d and write. Stimulate writing and preserving by furnishing B i b l e - s i z e d (4>/4 x 5Vi) p u n c h e d n o t e s , l o o s e - l e a f n o t e b o o k s , a n d d i f f e r e n t c o l o r e d p a p e r for d i f f e r e n t s e r i e s . SECURING

FEEDBACK

W e c o n t i n u e t o s u f f e r f r o m w h a t R e u e l H o w e calls t h e " m o n o l o g i c a l i l l u s i o n . " T h e illusion is t h a t c o m m u n i c a t i o n is a c c o m p l i s h e d b y telling p e o p l e w h a t t h e y o u g h t t o k n o w . D i s c u s s i o n a n d f e e d b a c k greatly facilitate t h e p r e a c h e r ' s a w a r e n e s s of w h a t h a s actually b e e n c o m m u n i c a t e d a n d w h a t p e o p l e w a n t a n d n e e d to k n o w . S u n d a y e v e n i n g is a g o o d t i m e a n d p l a c e to d i s c u s s t h e m e a n i n g a n d i m p l i c a t i o n s of t h e m o r n i n g m e s s a g e . Y o u c a n u s e i n d i v i d u a l r e a c t o r s or a reaction panel immediately after the s e r m o n . 2

I o n c e a s k e d o u r h e a d u s h e r if h e w o u l d a s k t w o p e r s o n s to b e r e a d y t o a s k t w o k e y q u e s t i o n s a f t e r t h e s e r m o n . I told h i m n o t to tell m e w h o t h e y w e r e . A t t h e c l o s e of t h i s m e s s a g e I i n f o r m e d t h e a u d i e n c e t h a t t w o of t h e m w e r e p r i m e d to r e s p o n d . T h e y d i d — p u t t i n g m e o n t h e s p o t ! Discussion questions can b e given to people to take h o m e and use. After a message, the congregation can be d i v i d e d i n t o small g r o u p s , a n d right t h e r e i n t h e s a n c t u a r y a g u i d e d d i s c u s s i o n of t h e m e s s a g e c a n b e o r g a n i z e d . If y o u r S u n d a y school m e e t s after the service, consider having the c l a s s e s d i s c u s s t h e s e r m o n . A t that p o i n t y o u will h a v e w h a t e v e r y e d u c a t o r w a n t s — p r e p a r e d p u p i l s ! Y o u c a n also a p p o i n t c e r t a i n p e o p l e t o g i v e y o u w r i t t e n o r oral f e e d b a c k o n the message; they become your sermon response team. A c a r d in t h e p e w r a c k s o r a tear-off in t h e b u l l e t i n will a l l o w a n y o n e to give y o u t h e i r p e r s p e c t i v e o n t h e m e s s a g e . 86

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching It is e v e n in t h e r e a l m of possibility to h a v e S u n d a y s c h o o l c l a s s e s that m e e t b e f o r e t h e w o r s h i p service to d o s o m e p r e l i m i n a r y s t u d y in t h e text to b e p r e a c h e d . O r y o u m i g h t h a v e a " S e r m o n D i s c u s s i o n C l a s s " that m e e t s periodically o r r e g u l a r l y e i t h e r b e f o r e or a f t e r t h e w o r s h i p service to a l l o w t h o s e w h o w i s h to d i s c u s s t h e m e s s a g e t h e y are g o i n g to h e a r or h a v e j u s t h e a r d . T h e p r e a c h e r c a n c o n d u c t t h i s , or a n y qualified t e a c h e r c a n d o it. K e e p this t h o u g h t in m i n d : you are always stimulating feedback w h e n you preach. The o n l y q u e s t i o n i s , is it h a r n e s s e d a n d h e a l t h y a n d b e i n g h e a r d b y y o u a n d o t h e r s w h o n e e d to h e a r it, or is it g o i n g u n d e r g r o u n d as g o s s i p ? DIALOGUE

PREACHING

T w o people, preferably you being o n e of them, can s t u d y a p a s s a g e of S c r i p t u r e t o g e t h e r , p r e p a r e a s e r m o n t o g e t h e r , a n d p r e a c h it t o g e t h e r . T h e t e a m c a n a l t e r n a t e o n w o r d s , p h r a s e s , c l a u s e s , or v e r s e s . O n e c a n h a n d l e t h e observation p h a s e , the other providing the interpretation. O n e could illustrate, a n d the other deal with application. O n e c a n c h a l l e n g e t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , t h e o t h e r c a n d e f e n d it. Y o u c a n b o t h u s e t h e s a m e p u l p i t , b u t it is b e t t e r to h a v e s e p a r a t e s p e a k e r ' s s t a n d s . It is p r o b a b l y b e s t to sit o n s t o o l s o r c h a i r s a n d c l e a r t h e p l a t f o r m o f t h e large pulpit a n d o t h e r f u r n i t u r e t h a t m a y b e in t h e w a y . If d i a l o g u e p r e a c h i n g is to s u c c e e d , t h e r e m u s t b e g o o d preparation, and dynamic, aggressive interaction. Though y o u c a n u s e n o t e s , t h e r e n e e d s t o b e a s p o n t a n e i t y to t h e presentation. In other words, be natural and be professional. T h i s m e t h o d is a f i n e w a y to train y o u n g e r staff m e m b e r s a n d l a y p e o p l e to p r e a c h . Y o u h a v e t h e e x p e r i e n c e in p r e a c h i n g , s o y o u c a n e n s u r e that t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n d o e s n o t b o g d o w n o r g e t o f f t h e track. T h e d y n a m i c s of d i a l o g u e will a l l o w y o u to u s e a lot of n a t u r a l h u m o r , y e t in t h e s a m e message you can be deeply serious. O n occasion I have shortened a dialogue sermon and u s e d t h e last t e n m i n u t e s for q u e s t i o n s a n d c o m m e n t s f r o m 87

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING t h e a u d i e n c e . D i a l o g u e p r e a c h i n g will a l s o facilitate u s i n g a r e s o u r c e p e r s o n w h o h a s i n s i g h t s in c e r t a i n a r e a s g e r m a n e to the text. For example, I once had a dialogue with a counselor in a n e x p o s i t i o n of t h e story of t h e P r o d i g a l S o n ( L u k e 1 5 : 1 1 - 3 2 ) . I developed the theological aspects and h e handled the psychological. W e spent hours going over this p a s s a g e t o g e t h e r . T h e i n t e n s e p r e p a r a t i o n paid off. DRAMATIZING THE BIBLE A N D

DOCTRINE

D r a m a t i c p o t e n t i a l r e s i d e s in m a n y p o r t i o n s of t h e S c r i p t u r e s . T h e scripts n e e d n o t b e l o n g a n d c o m p l e x . All t h a t is r e q u i r e d is a fairly fertile i m a g i n a t i o n a n d s o m e t i m e . F o r i n s t a n c e , e v e r y b o d y in y o u r c h u r c h l i s t e n s to n e w s o n t h e r a d i o . W h y n o t p r e s e n t a p o r t i o n of t h e Bible f r a m e d in this f o r m a t ? T u n e in a n d listen to a n e x a m p l e . D r a m a in D a n i e l Ann: Y o u a r e l i s t e n i n g to t h e n u m b e r o n e station in B a b y l o n — K N E B — w i t h s t u d i o s a t o p t h e S h i n a r S h e r a t o n in beautiful d o w n t o w n B a b y l o n — s e r v i n g the greater Tigris a n d Euphrates valleys. T h e t i m e o n o u r M e s o p o t a m i a n m o o n d i a l is n o w 7:30 i n the evening. T h e f o l l o w i n g a n n o u n c e m e n t is b r o u g h t t o y o u a s a p u b l i c service b y t h i s station in c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e B a b y l o n i a n Big B r o t h e r s a n d t h e C h a l d e a n C o m m u n i t y Chest. T h e Big B r o t h e r s a n d t h e C o m m u n i t y C h e s t a r e s p o n s o r i n g a b e n e f i t b a r b e c u e a n d c h a r i o t s h o w at t h e local f a i r g r o u n d s t o m o r r o w e v e n i n g f r o m five until t e n . F o o d will be served during the entire time. As y o u eat delicious m e a t r o a s t e d o v e r coals f r o m t h e f i n e s t L e b a n e s e l o g s , y o u m a y w a n d e r t h r o u g h t h e m a g n i f i c e n t d i s p l a y of c h a r i o t s . Y o u will 88

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching s e e t h e n e w e s t in s t y l e s a n d t h e latest i d e a s in d e s i g n . D o n ' t m i s s t h e slick w h e e l s , p a d d e d d a s h , d i s c b r a k e s , s u s p e n s i o n ride, b u c k e t s e a t s . A n d t h e r e will b e f r e e c h a r i o t rides for all t h e c h i l d r e n . All this f o r j u s t t e n s h e k e l s f o r a d u l t s a n d five s h e k e l s f o r c h i l d r e n . All p r o c e e d s g o t o h e l p t h e B a b y l o n i a n Big B r o t h e r s a n d t h e C h a l d e a n C o m m u n i t y C h e s t . D o n ' t miss this exciting evening a n d the opportunity to help these worthy projects. Y o u ' v e j u s t f i n i s h e d a m e a l of t a s t y t r o u t f r o m Tigris—and you're comfortable—with KNEB.

the

S o n o w — f o r t h e latest n e w s — h e r e ' s o u r m a n of t h e h o u r w i t h n e w s u p to t h e m i n u t e — H a u l P a r v e y . Haul: H e l l o , B a b y l o n i a n s — t h i s is H a u l P a r v e y ! A chariot was hijacked three hours ago on route 666 j u s t w e s t o f t h e city. T w o m e n d r e w t h e i r s w o r d s a n d o r d e r e d t h e d r i v e r t o c h a n g e h i s c o u r s e a n d t a k e t h e m to M a c e d o n i a . It is s u s p e c t e d that t h e s e m e n a r e w i s e m e n f r o m K i n g N e b u c h a d n e z z a r ' s c o u r t a n d t h a t t h e y a r e s e e k i n g to f i n d a s y l u m in a n e u t r a l c o u n t r y . T h i s is j u s t o n e of t h e m a n y e x c i t i n g e v e n t s that h a v e b e e n o c c u r r i n g all d a y l o n g s i n c e t h e e x e c u t i o n edict w a s i s s u e d b y t h e k i n g this m o r n i n g . A s y o u k n o w , earlier t o d a y t h e k i n g i s s u e d a c o m m a n d t h a t all t h e c o u r t - a p p o i n t e d w i s e m e n o f t h e n a t i o n w e r e to b e t a k e n i n t o c u s t o d y a n d b e p u t to d e a t h . T h i s o r d e r w a s p r o m p t e d by t h e failure o f this g r o u p to r e v e a l t o t h e k i n g b o t h t h e c o n t e n t a n d m e a n i n g of a strange d r e a m he recently h a d . Special agents from the p a l a c e s e c u r i t y f o r c e h a v e b e e n r o u n d i n g u p all t h e w i s e m e n t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y . T h e d a t e of e x e c u t i o n will b e a n n o u n c e d s o o n . T h i s station will carry t h e e v e n t live. A n d n o w h e r e ' s a bulletin j u s t h a n d e d m e direct f r o m t h e p a l a c e p r e s s s e c r e t a r y : " T h e o r d e r to e x e c u t e t h e w i s e m e n has been temporarily suspended by the king. T h e 89

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING o c c a s i o n for s u c h a c t i o n is to allow o n e of t h e w i s e m e n — a y o u n g J e w n a m e d B e l t e s h a z z a r — t o s e e if h e c a n e x p l a i n t h e d r e a m to t h e k i n g . T h e k i n g h a s a l l o w e d h i m f o r t y - e i g h t h o u r s to s e c u r e t h e n e e d e d i n f o r m a t i o n . In t h e m e a n t i m e , n o w i s e m e n will b e a l l o w e d to l e a v e t h e c o u n t r y . " W h a t a f a s c i n a t i n g story! B e s u r e a n d stay t u n e d to this station for t h e latest d e v e l o p m e n t s a s t h e y o c c u r . H a u l P a r v e y . . . g o o d day! T h i s d r a m a , b a s e d o n D a n i e l 2 , w a s d e s i g n e d to h i g h l i g h t t h e c o n t e n t s of t h e c h a p t e r t h r o u g h a c o n t e m p o r a r y m e d i u m , r a d i o . T w o o f f s t a g e v o i c e s p r e s e n t e d this m a t e r i a l , after w h i c h I r e i n f o r c e d t h e b r o a d c a s t w i t h a n e x p o s i t i o n of the text itself. O n another occasion I was preaching on the passage c o n c e r n i n g d e m o n s in M a r k 1 : 2 5 - 2 8 . I w a n t e d to g i v e t h e congregation an orientation to these nefarious characters. I w r o t e t h e script a n d e n l i s t e d a y o u n g m a n w i t h a h i g h p i t c h e d v o i c e to d i a l o g u e w i t h m e o n S u n d a y . H e w a s at a n o f f s t a g e m i k e a n d I w a s s t a n d i n g at t h e p u l p i t . I m a d e m y beginning statement and he came screeching through the speakers. I focused m y attention on the speakers and w e w e n t at it, p r o v i d i n g t h e p e o p l e w i t h a s h o r t c o u r s e o n biblical d e m o n o l o g y . A n I n t e r v i e w W i t h D i r k the D e m o n P: I d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t y o u , b u t I ' m a l w a y s a bit l e e r y o f s o m e t h i n g that actually e x i s t s , y e t I c a n ' t s e e it. D : T h a t d o e s n ' t b o t h e r m e o n e bit. P: W e l l , w h o are y o u ? D : W e l l , I g u e s s I a m t h e k i n d of t h i n g y o u a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t . I exist, b u t y o u c a n ' t s e e m e . P: I c a n c e r t a i n l y hear

you. W h o did y o u say you are?

D: I'm D i r k — D i r k the D e m o n . I h a n g around here quite a lot. 90

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching P: A r e y o u especially a s s i g n e d to p u b l i c a d d r e s s s y s t e m s ? I'll b e t y o u ' r e t h e o n e w h o p u t s t h e h u m in t h e s p e a k e r s , b u r n s o u t t h e a m p l i f i e r s , b l o w s the f u s e s , l o o s e n s t h e connections . . . D : L o o k — I ' m in t h e b u s i n e s s of f o u l i n g u p t h e c o m m u n i c a tion of t h e W o r d of G o d . B u t I m u s t s a y , t h e r e a r e u s u a l l y e n o u g h d u m - d u m C h r i s t i a n s b o t c h i n g it u p s o w e l l , t h e r e ' s little left for m e to d o . Y o u k n o w — p r e a c h e r s a n d t e a c h e r s w h o a r e n ' t w e l l - p r e p a r e d , m a t e r i a l that is p o o r l y p r e s e n t e d , s o m e o n e w h o f o r g e t s to t u r n o n t h e m i c r o p h o n e , c o n n e c t i o n s that a r e h a l f - s o l d e r e d . . . C h r i s t i a n s a r e g e t t i n g s o s l o p p y — b l e s s their h e a r t s — I love ' e m ! P: W h e r e d i d y o u c o m e f r o m ? D: H e a v e n . You might say I'm o n e of those individuals w h o s t a r t e d at t h e t o p , a n d I ' m w o r k i n g m y w a y d o w n . I u s e d to b e a n a n g e l . . . P: A n

angel?

D : Y e h — a n a n g e l ! J u s t sitting a r o u n d s t r u m m i n g a n d singi n g a n d s e r v i n g . T h e n I g o t i n v o l v e d in t h e P: T h e

ACLU.

ACLU?

D : R i g h t — t h e A n g e l s C e l e s t i a l L i b e r t i e s U n i o n . A b u n c h of u s g o t t o g e t h e r a n d d e c i d e d w e d i d n ' t w a n t Him t o r u n t h e w h o l e s h o w . O u r celestial r i g h t s w e r e b e i n g v i o l a t e d . S o w e started planning a revolution. P: W h a t

happened?

D : M a n , w h a t a c o u n t e r i n t e l l i g e n c e s y s t e m He's g o t ! W e w e r e discovered before w e hardly got g o i n g — a n d w e were t h r o w n o u t . I ' m still t r y i n g to figure o u t h o w He k n e w what w e were thinking . . . P: S o y o u u s e d t o b e a n a n g e l in h e a v e n , b u t y o u w e r e t h r o w n out because you were trying to take over? 91

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING D : T h a t ' s right! K i c k e d o u t ! L e a d e r a n d all. S e n t to e a r t h , of all p l a c e s ! B u t o u r l e a d e r is s o m e t h i n g e l s e — h e j u s t t r a n s f e r r e d t h e r e v o l t to this s c e n e , a n d w e h a v e b e e n g i v i n g t h e M a n U p s t a i r s fits e v e r s i n c e . P: H o w m a n y d e m o n s a r e t h e r e ? D : S o r r y , I c a n ' t tell y o u ! T h a t ' s — u h — c l a s s i f i e d i n f o r m a t i o n . But b e l i e v e m e , y o u c a n ' t c o u n t t h a t h i g h . P: W e l l n o w ! J u s t w h a t d o y o u d o ? D : S i m p l e ! I d o e v e r y t h i n g p o s s i b l e t o g e t p e o p l e to l e a v e Him o u t . S o m e t i m e s I m a k e p e o p l e m i s e r a b l e — a n d t h e n I sit b a c k a n d w a t c h t h e m b l a m e Him. O r f r e q u e n t l y I m a k e p e o p l e real h a p p y a n d p r o s p e r o u s — s o t h e y figure t h e y d o n ' t n e e d Him. Y o u k n o w , I really g e t a thrill o u t of m y w o r k — d e v i s i n g w a y s to s t i m u l a t e p e o p l e to r e v o l t a g a i n s t Him. P: H a s y o u r a p p r o a c h c h a n g e d d o w n t h r o u g h t h e y e a r s ? D : O h m y , y e s ! W e u s e d to m o v e in a n d c o m p l e t e l y d o m i n a t e a p e r s o n ' s l i f e — t a k e o v e r a n d m a k e t h e m act like w e w a n t e d t h e m t o . P: T h a t ' s p r o b a b l y w h a t w e call d e m o n p o s s e s s i o n . D o y o u still d o t h a t ? D : W e s u r e d o . I n s o m e p l a c e s w e c a n control a f e w superstitious souls and get them so scared and confused t h e y ' l l w o r s h i p a n y t h i n g . B u t in p l a c e s like [ n a m e of t o w n ] w h e r e p e o p l e a r e e d u c a t e d , c u l t u r e d , religious, and s o m e are even Christians, w e have develo p e d a m o r e s u b t l e a p p r o a c h . W e ' v e g o t a s y s t e m t h a t is absolutely s a t a n i c — i f you'll pardon the expression. W e infiltrate life w i t h R . M . N . P: R . M . N . ? W h a t d o e s t h a t s t a n d for? D: Rationalism . . . Materialism . . . Naturalism. W e have filtered t h e s e i d e a s i n t o e v e r y a r e a o f s o c i e t y . A n d , b o y , is it w o r k i n g ! P e o p l e a r e c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e y a r e s m a r t 92

Creative Audio and Print Media in Preaching e n o u g h to solve all t h e i r p r o b l e m s — t h a t ' s r a t i o n a l i s m . T h e y w o r s h i p m o n e y a n d p o s s e s s i o n s — t h a t ' s materialism. A n d they are sure that supernatural things don't h a p p e n — t h a t ' s naturalism. P: B u t d o e s t h a t m a k e p e o p l e r e v o l t a g a i n s t G o d ? D : W e l l , it s u r e d o e s n ' t m a k e t h e m b o w d o w n b e f o r e Him! It j u s t m a k e s t h e m h a p p y w i t h o u t Him. A n d t h a t ' s w h a t w e w a n t — a pleasant revolution! P: D i r k , y o u s e e m s o p o s i t i v e a n d c o n f i d e n t . E v e n a bit c o c k y , I'd say! A s if t h e r e v o l u t i o n is s u c c e s s f u l . T h e w o r l d is y o u r s . D : It is! It is! W e try h a r d e r ! W e ' r e n u m b e r o n e ! P: A r e n ' t y o u afraid of a n y t h i n g ? D : O n l y o n e p e r s o n — H i m . W e ' r e all afraid of Him. Y o u c a n s t u d y t h e first c h a p t e r o f t h e G o s p e l of M a r k a n d understand why. P: T h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t w e i n t e n d t o d o . R i g h t n o w ! a b o u t s t a y i n g a r o u n d a n d s t u d y i n g it w i t h u s ?

How

D : N o w a y ! I ' v e g o t m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s to d o ! T h e r e a r e s o m e o f y o u r p e o p l e w h o a r e still in b e d . I ' m g o i n g to c o n f i r m i n their m i n d s t h a t t h e y a r e right w h e r e t h e y ought to be . . . T h i s d r a m a w a s p r e s e n t e d in a fairly f o r m a l S u n d a y morning worship service. T h o s e w h o were expecting the n o r m w e r e a bit s t a r t l e d , b u t b y t h a t t i m e I h a d b e e n t h e r e for seven years, and they trusted m e . T h e y k n e w that even w h e n m y methodology was unpredictably creative, m y t h e o l o g y w a s still s o u n d l y c o n s e r v a t i v e ! T h e B i b l e o o z e s w i t h d r a m a t i c possibilities. W a n t to d e a l w i t h conflict? L e t P a u l a n d B a r n a b a s g e t i n t o t h e act ( A c t s 1 5 ) . W a n t to give y o u r p e o p l e i n s i g h t o n Bible s t u d y and teaching/preaching? Walk t h e m through the entire s e r m o n - b u i l d i n g p r o c e s s i n s t e a d of g i v i n g t h e m t h e p r o d u c t . 93

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING W a n t to a p p e a l to e v e r y a g e ? Let a p u p p e t rise out of t h e baptistry and c o m m e n t on your sermon. N e e d insight on failure? T a l k w i t h P e t e r . O r b e P e t e r a n d talk to y o u r s e l f . W a n t perspective on sovereignty? Chat with Nebuchadnezzar. I n t e r e s t e d in f i n d i n g out h o w S a t a n o p e r a t e s ? I n t e r v i e w J o b . W a n t to k n o w m o r e a b o u t h e a v e n ? C o n s u l t a n a n g e l — M i c h a e l , for i n s t a n c e . D e a l i n g w i t h t h e fall of m a n ? C o n t a c t A d a m and Eve. Y o u m a y n o t b e s t r o n g in s e e i n g t h e s e possibilities, n o r s t r o n g in p u t t i n g t h e m i n t o effect. If y o u still w a n t to e x p l o r e t h e p o t e n t i a l , l o o k for t h o s e i n y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n w h o are willing and able. IN

SUMMARY

W e all gravitate t o w a r d c e r t a i n p r e a c h i n g m e t h o d s a n d p r e a c h i n g s t y l e s . It is in t h e s e a r e a s w e a r e c o m f o r t a b l e a n d r e a s o n a b l y s u c c e s s f u l . W e o u g h t to i d e n t i f y t h e m a n d u s e t h e m o f t e n , c o n s t a n t l y s t r i v i n g to r a i s e o u r level of e x c e l lence. A g r o w i n g p r e a c h e r , h o w e v e r , s h o u l d also b e e x p l o r i n g o t h e r w a y s of c o m m u n i c a t i n g t r u t h , n o t t o r e p l a c e t h e tried a n d t r u e , b u t to e x p a n d o n e ' s G o d - g i v e n p o t e n t i a l . S o m e t i m e s t h e p o o r e s t m e t h o d is t h e o n e w e u s e all t h e t i m e , s i m p l y b e c a u s e w e m a y start t a k i n g it for g r a n t e d a n d b e c o m e a bit s l o p p y , o r b e c a u s e w e start to b e c o m e p r e d i c t a b l e . T h i s c h a p t e r h a s b e e n w r i t t e n to c h a l l e n g e y o u to b e a little less p r e d i c t a b l e b y b e i n g a little m o r e c r e a t i v e .

94

7

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching Seeing

a d d s a vital d i m e n s i o n to t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n process. Y o u r congregation usually sees the pulpit, your Bible, a n d y o u . T h e s i z e a n d s u b s t a n c e o f t h e p u l p i t , as w e l l as the a m o u n t of roaming that you do while you are p r e a c h i n g , will d e t e r m i n e h o w m u c h t h e y s e e o f y o u . Y o u r b o d y l a n g u a g e will a d d f u r t h e r v i s u a l m e s s a g e s . It w o u l d b e wise periodically to have your preaching videotaped and see w h a t o t h e r s s e e w h e n y o u p r e a c h . T h e c a m e r a d o e s n o t lie. OBJECT

LESSONS

T h e r e are as m a n y object lessons as there are objects. B r i n g i n g a n o b j e c t i n t o t h e p u l p i t to d i s p l a y a n d u s e at t h e o p p o r t u n e t i m e will e n h a n c e y o u r c o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d r e i n f o r c e y o u r a p p e a l t o p e o p l e ' s s e n s e of s i g h t . T h e r e a r e n u m e r o u s good object-lesson books; stop b y the bookstore a n d b u y o n e . E n l i s t t h e a i d o f o t h e r s in y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n w h o m a y h a v e skill w i t h v i s u a l a i d s . S u p p o s e y o u a r e p r e a c h i n g o n c o m m i t m e n t in m a r r i a g e from a passage such as Genesis 2:24. W h a t object lesson c o u l d y o u u s e ? G o to y o u r t o o l b o x a n d f i n d t w o s m a l l , 95

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING d i f f e r e n t - s h a p e d p i e c e s of w o o d , t h e n c l a m p t h e m t o g e t h e r with a " C - c l a m p . " During the sermon use the object lesson to p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e r e a r e n u m e r o u s e x t e r n a l p r e s s u r e s that p u s h c o u p l e s i n t o e n g a g e m e n t a n d m a r r i a g e , s u c h as p e e r pressure, parents, pregnancy, infatuation, or desperation. A f t e r y o u h a v e b e e n m a r r i e d for a w h i l e , t h e s e p r e s s u r e s t e n d to d r o p off ( r e m o v e t h e c l a m p ) , a n d w h a t is between h o l d s y o u t o g e t h e r . If it i s a superficial c o m m i t m e n t , y o u c a n easily drift a p a r t . If it is a d e e p , g e n u i n e , loving c o m m i t m e n t , y o u will stick w i t h e a c h o t h e r a n d w o r k o u t y o u r difficulties in t h e light of y o u r m u t u a l c o m m i t m e n t . (If y o u w a n t to f o c u s o n a s u p e r f i c i a l , e x t e r n a l l y o r i e n t e d c o m m i t m e n t , d o n ' t g l u e t h e p i e c e s of w o o d t o g e t h e r ; if y o u w a n t t o e m p h a s i z e an internally oriented c o m m i t m e n t , do glue.) H o w a b o u t a n o b j e c t l e s s o n to illustrate y o u r p h i l o s o p h y of p r e a c h i n g ? O b t a i n a n e m p t y , o p a q u e , plastic b l e a c h b o t t l e . P u t a n i n c h o r t w o of dirt i n it a n d s c r e w t h e c a p o n . H o l d it u p a n d a s k e a c h m e m b e r of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n to t h i n k of h i m s e l f o r h e r s e l f a s o n e o f t h e s e s m a l l - n e c k e d b o t t l e s . Y o u r p r e a c h i n g t a s k is t o i n s e r t biblical t r u t h i n t o t h e p e r s o n (bottle). P e o p l e c a n h e l p b y b e i n g o p e n a n d r e a d y to r e c e i v e t r u t h ( r e m o v i n g t h e i r " c a p s " ) a n d b y ridding t h e m s e l v e s of t h e i r sin t h r o u g h c o n f e s s i o n a n d c l e a n s i n g . ( A s y o u s a y t h e s e w o r d s , u n s c r e w t h e c a p a n d p o u r o u t t h e dirt.) N o w c o m e s t h e p r e a c h i n g . Y o u r c h a l l e n g e is to g e t a lot of t r u t h i n t o e v e r y p e r s o n . A t this p o i n t lift a large t u b o f w a t e r , telling t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n t h a t y o u w a n t to fill all t h e b o t t l e s w i t h " t r u t h " w i t h o n e flip of t h e t u b . ( D e m o n s t r a t e y o u r t u b - f l i p p i n g t e c h n i q u e . ) A l a s , y o u c a n ' t d o it! T h e o p e n i n g s a r e t o o s m a l l . M o s t o f t h e " t r u t h " will d e c e p t i v e l y r u n d o w n the outside of the bottles a n d e n d u p o n the floor. T h e s o l u t i o n is n o t m o r e " t r u t h t u b s " o r b i g g e r b o t t l e s . T h e s o l u t i o n is t o fill a n eyedropper with water from the tub and walk a m o n g the b o t t l e s — g i v i n g each person an individualized, internal injection of truth from G o d ' s W o r d . That's y o u r p h i l o s o p h y of p e r s o n a l i z e d p r e a c h i n g a n d , i n c i d e n t a l l y , the congregation's philosophy of personalized listening. P r e a c h i n g o n J o h n 15? B r i n g a v i n e i n t o t h e p u l p i t . 96

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching Expounding o n James 1 : 2 2 - 2 5 ? Use a mirror. Dealing with H e b r e w s 10:24? C o n s i d e r h a v i n g a pair of s p u r s or a cattle p r o d . H a n d l i n g H e b r e w s 5 : 1 1 - 1 4 ? D r i n k a g l a s s of milk a n d e a t a r a w c a r r o t — d u r i n g t h e s e r m o n . T h e n e x p l a i n that w h a t t h e milk a n d c a r r o t d o f o r y o u p h y s i c a l l y , t h e W o r d of G o d will d o f o r y o u spiritually. I n c i d e n t a l l y , e x p l a i n i n g t h e latter p o i n t will n o t b e a s e a s y as y o u m i g h t t h i n k . Are you getting the picture? There are object lessons right in t h e text a s w e l l as b e y o n d t h e text. L o o k for b o t h . S e t a g o a l : a n o b j e c t l e s s o n in a s e r m o n at l e a s t o n c e a m o n t h . OVERHEAD

PROJECTION

T h e o v e r h e a d p r o j e c t o r a l l o w s u s to p r o j e c t t h i n g s o n t h e s c r e e n w i t h o u t t u r n i n g o f f t h e lights or l o s i n g e y e c o n t a c t w i t h o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . H o w c a n w e u s e this visual aid in o u r preaching? Everything that w e can print in the bulletin, w e c a n also p r i n t o n a t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d p r o j e c t o n t o t h e s c r e e n . Quizzes, quotes, agree/disagree statements, outlines, verses of S c r i p t u r e , k e y w o r d s a n d p h r a s e s , c r o s s r e f e r e n c e s , t h e m e or proposition statements, questions, case studies, " W h a t would you d o ? " situations, and more. F o r e x a m p l e , a s p e o p l e sit in t h e s a n c t u a r y w a i t i n g for t h e service t o start, t h e i r t h i n k i n g c o u l d b e s t i m u l a t e d a n d directed by a quote on the screen that reads: " W h e n Christians don't suffer, the church d o e s . " P o n d e r i n g this s t a t e m e n t w o u l d h e l p p r e p a r e t h e c o n g r e g a tion to listen c a r e f u l l y t o a s e r m o n t h a t will e x p l a i n i t . O r , o n t h e lighter s i d e , a m e s s a g e o n faith a n d d o u b t c o u l d b e f o c u s e d in a w o r d p i c t u r e like t h i s : 1

"Doubts are ants in the pants of faith."

2

T h i s is a totally d i f f e r e n t w a y of e x p r e s s i n g t r u t h . It h a s a bite to it. It will s t i n g y o u i n t o i n v o l v e m e n t . O r a n o t h e r : "Always pray about a matter before you talk to anyone else about it." Agree? Disagree? 97

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING

WORD

PREACHER Figure 7.1 E t c h truth i n t o t h e m i n d s o f p e o p l e n o t o n l y by t h e s e r m o n s y o u p r e a c h , b u t also b y t h e s h o r t , p i t h y s t a t e m e n t s y o u p r o j e c t o n t h e s c r e e n t h a t boil y o u r s e r m o n d o w n i n t o a f e w choice words. Graphics—vivid visual w a y s o f s h o w i n g s i g n i f i c a n t relationships and responsibilities—can and should occasionally b e u s e d i n y o u r p r e a c h i n g . L i n e s , c i r c l e s , a r r o w s , a n d b o x e s , a l o n g w i t h k e y w o r d s , a r e e f f e c t i v e w a y s of d e p i c t i n g concepts, organization, order, structure, integration, separat i o n , d e p e n d e n c y , i n t e r d e p e n d e n c y , s e q u e n c e , origin, a n d o t h e r c o n c e p t s . F o r e x a m p l e , t h e t w o a r r o w s in f i g u r e 7.1 c o n v e y t h e c o n c e p t t h a t t h e t a s k of t h e p r e a c h e r is t w o f o l d — t o g e t i n t o t h e W o r d a n d to let t h e W o r d get i n t o h i m . These two responsibilities d e m a n d study a n d an openn e s s t o G o d o n t h e p a r t of t h e p r e a c h e r . If y o u a r e n o t s t r o n g in b o t h , y o u r p r e a c h i n g will b e w e a k , s h a l l o w , a n d s u p e r f i c i a l . In f i g u r e 7.2 w e a d d t w o m o r e a r r o w s t h a t s h o w t h a t t h e p r e a c h e r is also t o get i n t o t h e lives of h i s c o n g r e g a t i o n a n d let t h e m g e t i n t o his life. G e t t i n g i n t o t h e W o r d a n d letting t h e W o r d g e t i n t o y o u r e q u i r e a n o n g o i n g d e s i r e to get t o k n o w o t h e r s , a n d a w i l l i n g n e s s to let t h e m g e t t o k n o w y o u . If y o u a r e n o t s t r o n g in b o t h , y o u r p r e a c h i n g will b e at b e s t t h e o r e t i c a l ; at w o r s t , sterile. Finally, in f i g u r e 7.3 w e a d d t w o m o r e a r r o w s to i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n is t o g e t i n t o t h e W o r d a n d a l l o w t h e W o r d t o g e t i n t o their e x p e r i e n c e . 98

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching

WORD

PRFAPHFI?

» - CONGREGATION

K

Figure 7.2

WORD

Figure 7.3 T h e s e t w o responsibilities can only b e accomplished w h e n y o u d e c i d e t h a t y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n m u s t l e a r n h o w to s t u d y a n d a p p l y t h e Bible o n t h e i r o w n , i n s t e a d of j u s t l e a r n i n g h o w to l i s t e n to t h e r e s u l t s o f y o u r s t u d y o f t h e W o r d . T h r e e k e y w o r d s a n d six significant a r r o w s h a v e b e e n e m p l o y e d t o visually articulate a biblical p h i l o s o p h y of p r e a c h i n g — i n fact, a biblical p h i l o s o p h y of m i n i s t r y . A simple diagram. A significant a n d complex idea. O u r temptation is t o c l u t t e r u p i m p o r t a n t biblical c o n c e p t s w i t h a lot of v e r b i a g e . S i m p l i f y ! G o o d v i s u a l a i d s will h e l p . R e m e m b e r , y o u are a person, preaching to persons. O n e of t h e b e s t w a y s t o p e r s o n a l i z e y o u r p r e a c h i n g is to p r o j e c t p e o p l e o n t o t h e s c r e e n . All k i n d s o f p e o p l e : m e n a n d w o m e n , y o u n g a n d old, h a p p y and sad, black a n d white. 99

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING Give t h e m n a m e s . Focus on their faces. Portray different facial expressions, b e c a u s e e a c h facial e x p r e s s i o n a r i s e s o u t of, a n d g i v e s e v i d e n c e for, a particular life-setting. C o n s i d e r T o m a n d C h e r y l , a typical c o u p l e in their m i d thirties (fig. 7 . 4 ) . C h e r y l is a h o m e m a k e r , h a s t w o g r a d e s c h o o l c h i l d r e n , a n d w o r k s t w o n i g h t s a w e e k a s a n u r s e at a local h o s p i t a l . T o m is a n a c c o u n t a n t w h o is w i t h a g r o u p , b u t is t h i n k i n g s e r i o u s l y of g o i n g i n t o b u s i n e s s f o r h i m s e l f . T h e y m e t in c o l l e g e a n d w e r e m a r r i e d a f t e r g r a d u a t i o n .

Figure 7.4 In a s e r m o n y o u c o u l d p r o j e c t T o m a n d C h e r y l o n t o t h e s c r e e n a n d g i v e y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n b i o g r a p h i c a l d a t a like t h a t g i v e n a b o v e . A d a p t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n to y o u r s e t t i n g . If t h e y live i n a rural c o m m u n i t y , y o u m i g h t w a n t t o c h a n g e t h e d e s c r i p t i o n . Y o u r m a i n p u r p o s e is t o r e l a t e t h e text y o u a r e p r e a c h i n g to t h e life-setting o f this c o u p l e . T h e y a p p e a r h a p p y — a n d it c o u l d b e b e c a u s e t h e y a r e a p p l y i n g this t r u t h t o t h e i r lives. Y o u m a y w i s h to e l a b o r a t e o n t h i s c o n d i t i o n . T o m is c o n t e m p l a t i n g a m a j o r j o b - c h a n g e d e c i s i o n . C o u l d t h e t r u t h of t h e text b e r e l a t e d t o this d e c i s i o n ? C h e r y l is g o n e t w o n i g h t s a w e e k f r o m t h e h o u s e . Is t h i s a t r u t h that c o u l d tie in w i t h t h e fulfillment s h e e x p e r i e n c e s as a n u r s e ? C o u l d it relate t o t h e fact that T o m b o u g h t a f a n c y s p o r t s c a r a n d t h a t is o n e o f t h e m a i n r e a s o n s C h e r y l h a d to g o b a c k t o w o r k ? A r e T o m a n d C h e r y l h a p p y in p a r t i c u l a r a r e a s o f t h e i r 100

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching m a r r i a g e ? If s o , is it b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e b e e n p u t t i n g this t r u t h i n t o p r a c t i c e ? D o t h e y j u s t l o o k h a p p y , w h e n in fact t h e y a r e n ' t , a n d is it all a f a c a d e ? Is it b e c a u s e t h e y a r e i g n o r a n t o f t h i s t r u t h ? O r c o u l d it b e that t h e y k n o w it, b u t a r e n ' t d o i n g it? O b v i o u s l y y o u d o n ' t try to f o r c e t h e text i n t o all t h e s e m a t t e r s , b u t s e e k to i n t e r p r e t a n d a p p l y it w h e r e it clearly i m p i n g e s o n life. W h i l e y o u a r e c a r r y i n g o n this l i f e - s e t t i n g p r e a c h i n g , a d d i n g visual i m p a c t to y o u r v e r b a l p r e s e n t a t i o n , members

of your

congregation

are

with

you,

not

only

because of w h a t you are saying, but also because of w h o m t h e y a r e s e e i n g . In v a r i o u s w a y s t h e y a r e i d e n t i f y i n g w i t h T o m a n d / o r C h e r y l . T h e y o u n g e r o n e s a r e h e a d e d in that d i r e c t i o n in t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e , a n d y o u a r e p r o m p t i n g t h e m t o think about w h a t they should do n o w to e n s u r e a positive f u t u r e for t h e m a n d their m a r r i a g e . O t h e r s a r e r i g h t w h e r e T o m a n d Cheryl are n o w ; from the W o r d you can give t h e m insight they can use immediately. T h e older ones are looking back, a n d with a seasoned maturity they are thinking about h o w they made some of the same mistakes and solved some o f t h e s a m e k i n d s o f p r o b l e m s b y a p p l y i n g G o d ' s t r u t h to their lives. Putting T o m a n d Cheryl on the screen, e v e n for a m o m e n t , will e n h a n c e t h e ability t o relate t h e t r u t h to life. T h i s is C h a r l i e (fig. 7 . 5 ) . W h a t is h e r e a d i n g ? P e r h a p s a layoff

notice,

an

unexpected

bill, a letter o f r e j e c t i o n , a l o w e r grade than h e anticipated. Suggest

to

your

congregation

a

n u m b e r of options. Life is like this. W e all g e t bad news. Your sermon may be along the lines of J o h n

16:33,

h e l p i n g p e o p l e a c c e p t t h e reality of p r o b l e m s . O r it m a y b e a text s u c h a s P h i l i p p i a n s 4 : 6 - 7 , helping people

to realize

the 101

Figure 7.5

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING p o w e r of p r a y e r . U s i n g t h e s e t e x t s g i v e s t h e i m p r e s s i o n that w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d w a s n o t C h a r l i e ' s fault. It c o u l d h a v e b e e n , a n d y o u m a y w a n t to e x p l o r e t h a t a v e n u e w i t h a p a s s a g e s u c h as G a l a t i a n s 6 : 7 - 8 . V i s u a l s c a n h e l p i n application. You have expounded the t r u t h o f a g i v e n text a n d n o w y o u i n t e n d to m o u n t a fullscale i n v a s i o n i n t o t h e lives o f y o u r p e o p l e . Y o u c o u l d s a y t h e s e w o r d s , o r h a v e s o m e o n e e l s e (visible o r h i d d e n ) s a y t h e m , o r p u t t h e m o n t h e s c r e e n ( s e e fig. 7 . 6 ) . "If that's what the Word of God says, and if that's what it means, and if it is really true, and I believe it is, then I think I had better start making some changes."

" G o o d thinking, Fred. Now, based on this truth, what specific things can you start doing this week in your relationship to your customers and fellow employees at the office?"

" Y o u are right on target, Norma. How would these biblical imperatives affect your attitude toward your invalid husband and those rambunctious grandchildren?"

Figure 7.6 Y o u c o u l d f u r n i s h t h e s e a n s w e r s y o u r s e l f , or y o u c o u l d draw them from a Fred and Norma offstage. You might make a suggestion and have one or both of them disagree a n d o f f e r s o m e t h i n g m u c h m o r e p e r t i n e n t t o their r e s p e c t i v e 102

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching

Figure 7.7 s i t u a t i o n s . In t h e final a n a l y s i s , y o u w a n t t o i n j e c t t r u t h i n t o their l i f e - s e t t i n g s a n d to train t h e m to d o it o n their o w n . T o d o this y o u m a y h a v e t o c o m e a c r o s s a s s o m e o n e w h o d o e s n ' t h a v e all t h e a n s w e r s . W h a t a b l o w ! Occupations a r e a n o t h e r crucial area (fig. 7 . 7 ) . Y o u r p e o p l e s p e n d f o r t y h o u r s a w e e k at their j o b s . W h a t t h e y d o is i m p o r t a n t . H o w t h e y d o it is a l s o i m p o r t a n t . G i v e y o u r p e o p l e n a m e s : S h e i l a S e c r e t a r y , B e r t B u i l d e r . T h e n relate t h e W o r d to t h e i m p o r t a n c e of their j o b s a n d t o t h e quality o f their w o r k . H o w d o t h e y feel a b o u t w h a t t h e y a r e d o i n g ? W h a t d o e s it m e a n f o r e a c h of t h e m to b e s u c c e s s f u l ? H o w c a n t h e y w i t n e s s o n t h e j o b ? W h a t p r e s s u r e s a r e t h e r e to b e s l o p p y , s l o w , d i s h o n e s t ? W h a t p o t e n t i a l f o r a d v a n c e m e n t is there? C a n w h a t they are doing b e classified as " t h e Lord's work"? Be sure to use pictures that can b e related to m e m b e r s o f y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e v i s u a l s i n f i g u r e 7.7 a r e q u i t e relevant to t h e building trades or office work. T o touch other p e o p l e y o u m i g h t d e p i c t , o r at l e a s t r e f e r t o , B o s s B a r n e y , w h o s u p e r v i s e s B e r t ' s c a r p e n t r y , o r B a n k e r Bill, w h o p u t s u p t h e m o n e y for t h e e n t i r e p r o j e c t . S h e i l a m a y w o r k for M a n a g e r M a u d e — w h o n o r m a l l y is a t e d d y b e a r b u t n o w a n d t h e n a t y r a n t . It is y o u r p r i v i l e g e a s t h e p r e a c h e r to b r i n g the truth of the W o r d into the world w h e r e your people work. 103

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING

Figure 7.8 Overlays g i v e u s t h e c h a n c e to d e v e l o p a sequence. T h a t ' s the w a y w e live, in s e q u e n c e , constantly processing data from within and beyond ourselves and then responding with our thoughts, feelings, and actions. H e r e is S e n s i t i v e S t e v e (fig. 7 . 8 ) . I n s c e n e 1, h e d o e s n ' t look too happy. W h y not? A customer just worked h i m over o n t h e p h o n e f o r n o t d e l i v e r i n g a n o r d e r o n t i m e . It c a u g h t S t e v e off g u a r d , a n d h i s i m m e d i a t e r e a c t i o n w a s t o b e miserable, m a d , and sad. H e might be saying things to h i m s e l f like " I t ' s n o t m y fault, it's t h e s h i p p i n g d e p a r t m e n t ' s " o r " T h a t ' s t h e third t i m e t h i s w e e k t h i s h a s h a p p e n e d ; I c a n ' t s e e m to d o a n y t h i n g right." Y o u m i g h t a s k y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n to c o m e u p w i t h w o r d s a n d p h r a s e s t h a t c o u l d d e s c r i b e w h a t is g o i n g o n inside Steve. They k n o w . They've been there. N o w project the second panel onto the screen, overlapp i n g t h e first illustration. T h e facial e x p r e s s i o n a n d t h e size 104

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching of t h e c l o u d w o u l d i n d i c a t e t h a t S t e v e is m u l l i n g his w a y t h r o u g h this e x p e r i e n c e in a fairly h e a l t h y , positive w a y . C o u l d t h a t b e b e c a u s e h e is b r i n g i n g t h e W o r d of G o d into t h i s s i t u a t i o n ? It c e r t a i n l y c o u l d b e . A s a m a t t e r of fact, it c o u l d b e t h e v e r y p o r t i o n o f S c r i p t u r e o n w h i c h y o u are preaching. T h e Scriptures say something about making p r o m i s e s y o u c a n ' t k e e p ; a b o u t d e a l i n g w i t h p e o p l e w h o are angry and overbearing; about learning from adversity. N e x t c o m e s p a n e l 3 , o v e r l a p p i n g t h e o t h e r s : t h e s u n is s h i n i n g a n d S t e v e is s m i l i n g . H o w l o n g did it take h i m to work his w a y through these issues? A few m o m e n t s , a n u m b e r of h o u r s , m a y b e all d a y , or e v e n all w e e k . B u t h e w a s s e n s i t i v e e n o u g h to relate t h e W o r d of G o d to his lifes e t t i n g , a n d t h a t ' s w h a t y o u w a n t y o u r p e o p l e to b e able to d o . A r e y o u e q u i p p i n g t h e m to d o t h a t ? D o y o u s e e h o w p i c t u r e s will h e l p ? S t e v e c a m e t h r o u g h h i s e x p e r i e n c e w i t h flying colors a n d e n d e d u p w i t h a s m i l e o n his f a c e . It d o e s n ' t a l w a y s w o r k like t h a t . S o m e t i m e s m a t t e r s g o f r o m b a d to w o r s e . M e e t m y f r i e n d , G l o r i a , f o r i n s t a n c e . I call h e r " G l o o m y G l o r i a , " b e c a u s e s h e t e n d s t o t u r n n u m e r o u s n e g a t i v e facts l o o s e in h e r m i n d . A s t h e y r o a m a r o u n d i n s i d e h e r , t h e y n o t only bruise h e r ego, but also tend to color h e r outlook o n l i f e — a t b e s t , b l u e ; at w o r s t , b l a c k . I n t h e first s c e n e (fig. 7 . 9 ) y o u c a n s e e a c l o u d w i t h a s o m b e r l i n i n g b e g i n n i n g t o f o r m . W h y ? G l o r i a is t h i n k i n g o f t h e never-ending d e m a n d s placed u p o n h e r to b e a gorgeous w i f e a n d a m o d e l m o t h e r . In s c e n e 2 s h e a d d s t o h e r list t h e c h a l l e n g e o f b e i n g a g o u r m e t c o o k a n d a n efficient h o u s e keeper. T h e cloud gets bigger, lower, darker; the look o n her f a c e , m o r e p e r p l e x e d . I n s c e n e 3 s h e p o n d e r s t h e probability t h a t s h e will n e v e r g e t t o e n g a g e i n t h e m e d - t e c h c a r e e r s h e w a s t r a i n e d for. L i v i n g w i t h u n f u l f i l l e d d e s i r e s a n d d r e a m s can b e frustrating a n d depressing, especially w h e n y o u are a p e r f e c t i o n i s t , a s Gloria is. P r e a c h e r , like it o r n o t , y o u a r e m i n i s t e r i n g t o p e o p l e like G l o r i a . O n c e in a w h i l e , e x p o u n d o n a text t h a t will a l l o w 105

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING

Figure 7.9 y o u t o v i s u a l i z e a n d relate t o t h e t h r e e p h a s e s of G l o r i a ' s d e p r e s s i o n . D o t h i s , a n d I g u a r a n t e e t h a t y o u will h a v e t h e r a p t a t t e n t i o n of e v e r y w o m a n in y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e y will n o t o n l y l i s t e n t o y o u , b u t a l s o i d e n t i f y w i t h G l o r i a — a n d t h e y will b e l o o k i n g f o r a n s w e r s f r o m t h e W o r d of G o d . F u r t h e r m o r e , y o u will r e a c h t h e m e n i n y o u r a u d i e n c e , f o r t h e y will b e a s k i n g t h e m s e l v e s t w o p r i m e q u e s t i o n s : " W h a t a m I d o i n g t o f o s t e r t h i s d e p r e s s i o n ? " a n d " W h a t c a n I d o to h e l p ? " Give them answers. T h e n t h e r e is S t r e s s e d - o u t S a m (fig. 7 . 1 0 ) . ( O r it c o u l d be Burned-out Becky? W o m e n are not i m m u n e from press u r e . ) E v e r y d a y S a m p l a y s this g a m e c a l l e d " P e r f e c t i o n . " H e shuffles the cards, cuts the deck, a n d deals himself a h a n d , h o p i n g to g e t t h e c a r d s l a b e l e d " B e e v e r y w h e r e , " " K n o w everything," " D o everything," "Judge everyone," "Equip e v e r y o n e . " H e n e v e r s e e m s to d r a w t h e s e c a r d s , b u t b e i n g the driven person that h e is, he h a s fine-tuned his " b l u f f i n g " 106

Creative Use of Visual Aids in Preaching

Figure 7.10 skills a n d p l a y s a m e a n g a m e o f p e r f e c t i o n , e v e n t h o u g h , in his i n f r e q u e n t m o m e n t s o f r a t i o n a l t h i n k i n g , h e k n o w s it's n o t in t h e c a r d s for h i m s e l f o r a n y o n e e l s e . W h a t biblical p r i n c i p l e s is S a m violating to get h i m s e l f i n t o t h i s m o d e o f t h i n k i n g a n d living? W h a t biblical i n s i g h t s w o u l d h e l p h i m l o w e r his t e n s i o n a n d f r e n z y ? W h a t d o p e o p l e w h o live w i t h h i m a n d w o r k w i t h h i m n e e d ? E v e r y o n e e x p e r i e n c e s s t r e s s . T h e p i c t u r e a b o v e m a y overstate t h e c o n d i t i o n o f a p e r s o n u n d e r a l o t o f s t r e s s , b u t it is s o g r a p h i c it will g e t e v e r y o n e ' s a t t e n t i o n . W e m a g n i f y t h e p r o b l e m in o r d e r t o facilitate e v a l u a t i o n a n d s o l u t i o n . H e r e a r e s o m e g u i d e l i n e s f o r o v e r h e a d p r o j e c t i o n . It is a p o w e r f u l v i s u a l a i d , s o u s e it. D o n ' t u s e it all t h e t i m e , lest y o u b e c o m e t o o d e p e n d e n t o n it a n d t o o p r e d i c t a b l e with it. B u y a g o o d s c r e e n ; p o s i t i o n it s o that it c a n b e s e e n b y everyone without a " k e y s t o n e " distortion. Secure a good o v e r h e a d p r o j e c t o r ; p u t it o n a s t a n d that is solid a n d t h e right h e i g h t . F u r n i s h a n d a r r a n g e y o u r p l a t f o r m a n d pulpit s o that t h e p r o j e c t o r is n o t a n u n s i g h t l y i n t r u s i o n . L o o k for p e o p l e i n y o u r c h u r c h w h o h a v e artistic o r g r a p h i c s i n t e r e s t s o r e x p e r i e n c e . R e c r u i t t h e m a n d u s e t h e m . S e c u r e t h e basic e q u i p m e n t y o u n e e d to m a k e quality t r a n s p a r e n c i e s — q u a l ity in c o l o r a n d d e s i g n . T h e w o r l d a r o u n d u s is p r o f u s e w i t h 107

CREATIVITY IN PREACHING quality m e d i a . D o n ' t let y o u r c h u r c h g o s e c o n d - r a t e . E v e n if y o u c a n ' t start w i t h h i g h q u a l i t y , a i m t o w a r d it. IN

CONCLUSION

There are m a n y , m a n y m o r e creative things you can d o with the overhead projector, and other visual aids. W e h a v e m e n t i o n e d a f e w a n d p u r p o s e f u l l y tied t h e m in w i t h o u r lifes e t t i n g p e r s p e c t i v e . If y o u a r e n ' t u s i n g visual a i d s r e g u l a r l y , y o u o u g h t to c h a n g e . T h e p r e a c h i n g m i n i s t r y is too significa n t for u s to set n a r r o w , rigid limits o n h o w w e p r e a c h . P e o p l e a n d their c u l t u r e s a r e t o o d i v e r s e f o r u s to a s s u m e t h e r e is o n e b e s t w a y to c o m m u n i c a t e t r u t h t o t h e m . A n d finally, e a c h p r e a c h e r is s o u n i q u e t h a t it is a t r a g e d y f o r h i m n o t to d i s c o v e r , d e v e l o p , a n d u s e t h i s G o d - g i v e n u n i q u e n e s s c r e a t i v e l y in h i s o w n p r e a c h i n g .

108

Epilogue This is

a book about preaching.

About preaching creatively. T h i s is a b o o k a b o u t l i f e - s e t t i n g s . About discovering and using them. T h i s b o o k s a y s that g o o d p r e a c h i n g will . . . creatively creatively creatively creatively

r e - c r e a t e t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e t e x t , relate t o t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n , u s e t h e l i f e - s e t t i n g of t h e p r e a c h e r , a n d e m p l o y life-setting preaching m e t h o d s .

This b o o k says that you can be a m o r e creative preacher. If y o u w a n t t o . If y o u w o r k a t it. T h i s b o o k will p r o b a b l y c a u s e sponses:

one

of t h e f o l l o w i n g

Resignation: " N o t m e . " Procrastination: " N o t n o w . " Consecration: "I'll do i t . " T h i s b o o k h a s g o n e a s far a s it c a n g o . N o w it's u p t o y o u .

109

re-

Notes Chapter 1 1. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21: "All this" would relate to the truth in the text about being a new creation in Christ. The reality of this truth is "from G o d . " " W h o reconciled us to himself through Christ" is also part of the text to be proclaimed. It is a clear, simple statement of the message of reconciliation. "Gave u s " emphasizes the preachers who were assigned the task of preaching. " T h e ministry of reconciliation" stresses the preaching, with "ministry" (Gr., diakoniari) giving attention to the loving activity of the preacher as a servant. "That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against t h e m " — a n enlarged restatement of the text, i.e., the message of reconciliation. Note, however, that here " h e has committed to us the message of reconciliation." Message (Gr., logon) underscores the importance of the text. The preacher is an "ambassador" who communicates important messages (tots) to those in other countries. He seeks to present and explain (preach) as clearly and as accurately as he can. "Making his appeal through u s " combines the preacher and his preaching, as does also " w e implore y o u . " Verse 21 is a climaxing, reconfirming condensation of the message of the text.

Chapter 2 1. See Acts 14:15; 17:24-28; Colossians 1:15-17, and 2 Peter 3 : 1 - 1 6 for further insights on God as creator, sustainer, and recreator. 2. See the author's book The Trauma of Transparency (Portland, Oreg.: Multnomah, 1979), ch. 1, for additional thoughts on the relationship between Adam and Eve before the Fall. 110

Notes 3. Richard F. Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life (Downers Grove, 111.: InterVarsity, 1985), pp. 7 5 - 7 6 . Lovelace has three excellent chapters on the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Chapter 3

1. Paul L. Kaufman, An Introductory Grammar of New Testament Greek (Palm Springs, Calif.: Ronald N. Haynes, 1982), p. 136. 2. Ibid., p. 32. For further insight on the different uses of ex as a prefix, see A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (Nashville: Broadman, 1934). The terms artios and exertismenos are discussed in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, ed. Colin Brown (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), 3:350. 3. Here are some data for you. The couplets in 2 Corinthians 4 : 8 - 9 are instructive. Note the intensifying prefix that moves one from perplexity to despair. The power of God will keep that from happening (4:7). The double prefixed word in Romans 15:32 will help you better to understand Paul's concept of how believers rejuvenate and refresh one another. It seems redundant to add syn before koinoneo as Paul did in Philippians 4:14. Why would he have done this? 4. See the author's book The Trauma of Transparency (Portland, Oreg.: Multnomah, 1979), ch. 8, for insight on "Communicating With Yourself."

Chapter 4

1. Henri J . M. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1972). 2. For additional information on using laypeople in sermon preparation and evaluation, see Reuel L. Howe, Partners in Preaching (New York: Seabury, 1967). Ill

C R E A T I V I T Y IN PREACHING Chapter 5 1. IDAK Research Associates, Inc., has developed a simple Talent Discovery Guide and a more detailed Career Match, both of which are designed to help people discover their God-given talents. For information, write IDAK, 7931 N.E. Halsey, Portland, OR 97213. 2. See Myron R. Chartier, Preaching as Communication (Nashville: Abingdon, 1981). Chapter 2 contains an excellent treatment of "Self-disclosure in Preaching." I recommend that the entire book be read by every preacher.

Chapter 6 1. Charlotte I. Lee, Oral Reading of the Scriptures. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974). The author provides insights for the public oral reading of the Scriptures with attention to their different literary styles. 2. Reuel L. Howe, The Miracle of Dialogue (New York: Seabury, 1963), p. 32.

Chapter 7 1. This is a sermon based on Philippians 1:27-30. The thrust is that the church is supposed to prepare its people to live in the world in such a way that they may have to suffer hostility, rejection, and so on. The same church is then available to help us when we do suffer. But when Christians don't suffer, the church does. It suffers from a lack of purpose and a failure to do what it is supposed to do. It is existing, but not ministering; therefore it is suffering. 2. Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking—A Theological ABC (New York: Harper & Row, 1973), p. 20. A theological dictionary with brief, pithy definitions of many biblical terms and theological concepts.

112