Had the privilege of preaching at church last night. Moreover the privilege of preaching in Eternal Sunshine.. one of my favourite films of the moment. The whole thing went reasonably well (a tiny @%** slipped in but hey!). I got my points across. God challenged a bunch of people. There was a sense that what was said really resounded.
BUT
Inreasingly I find that preaching is a lonely old business. It might be that you are literally ten or so feet from the nearest person while you are talking. I always find it hard to talk with people after, for fear that they feel obliged to comment (or something) Maybe its just my introversion that can't cope with being watched.
Or maybe its that whenever we stand up in front of people we are setting ourselves apart from the rest if the congregation. That subliminally there is a sense that we have it sorted. I'm painfully aware that I don't.
What I know is that I left the gathering last night, feeling a bit cut off from my community. I love preaching but I'm questioning whether it really is the best way for communicating God's truth. Would I be better hanging out with the community, and discovering together what God might say through the film? Would that better facilitate our journey together?
Or am I just not happy with the loneliness of leadership? Do I just want to be liked and so feel uncomfortable delivering a challenge?
Who knows?
BUT
Inreasingly I find that preaching is a lonely old business. It might be that you are literally ten or so feet from the nearest person while you are talking. I always find it hard to talk with people after, for fear that they feel obliged to comment (or something) Maybe its just my introversion that can't cope with being watched.
Or maybe its that whenever we stand up in front of people we are setting ourselves apart from the rest if the congregation. That subliminally there is a sense that we have it sorted. I'm painfully aware that I don't.
What I know is that I left the gathering last night, feeling a bit cut off from my community. I love preaching but I'm questioning whether it really is the best way for communicating God's truth. Would I be better hanging out with the community, and discovering together what God might say through the film? Would that better facilitate our journey together?
Or am I just not happy with the loneliness of leadership? Do I just want to be liked and so feel uncomfortable delivering a challenge?
Who knows?
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