Preparation and Grace
Things don’t always go to plan.
Hi. I preached today at my church. I don’t preach a lot. So of course, when I do, I want to do my best. I would want to do my best no matter how much I preached, so that’s not unique. I’m just setting up the situation. The point is, as a pastor, when I stand before God’s people I want to look like a professional, prepared, like I know what I’m doing. Further, when charged with preaching God’s word to His people, I don’t want anything I do to distract from the message.
So, about my Bible. I’ve used an electronic tablet in church for years. I’ve used one for reading scripture, and for taking notes. Most tablets I’ve used have also handled my preaching assignments as well. They hold both my Bible and preaching notes. My current tablet gives me no trouble whatsoever in any area of use, except when I preach. Seriously! No problems all week long, but when I get up front, problems. This time I was smart (I thought) and decided to print my notes and only use the tablet for reading scripture during the message. That should be fine, you know, with no back and forth between open programs or windows. Wrong. The moment I laid it on the pulpit, crash. I was forced to ask for someone else’s Bible. That’s embarrassing, unprofessional, and distracting from the message.
Everything worked out. But there can be a fine line between wanting to be prepared and professional, and wanting to impress people. One is a totally legitimate desire to do a good job and present God’s word in a helpful way. The other makes the message about yourself. One is showing off your confidence in the message God has given you. The other is pride.
The Apostle Paul was a well educated and experienced speaker. I’m convinced that he could be impressive if he wanted to be. I think he had to remind himself not to make the message about him, but Jesus. The church at Corinth had problems, divisions, and a bunch of people who wanted to be the most impressive. Paul reminded them how he acted.
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
Church is a community of people who follow Jesus; it’s not a performance to spotlight how impressive Jesus’ followers are. I’m grateful for the grace shown by God and His people when things don’t go to plan. Furthermore, this is true for everyone in the community whether standing in front or sitting in the congregation. We’re not performing for each other; we’re sharing our lives with each other. That takes heart and head preparation, and it also takes a lot of grace.
Do you ever feel like people put on a show for their church? Do you think that’s really necessary?
Love this! As a musician on a worship team, I'm acutely aware that music can draw us together in worship but can also easily become a polarizing distraction. The line between vulnerable sharing and "performance" can be a fine line of heart attitude. The same is true as a congregant: grace filled journey or Simon Cowell style judgement. I love your reminder that grace and humble focus on Christ is always the answer.