There was an article this week from a church leadership website I subscribe to that discussed the intent of Sunday preaching. A visiting church consultant asked a church leadership team what the desired end purpose of preaching each Sunday was. Someone answered “Evangelism.” The consultant answered “Wrong!”
Another said “Teaching.” . . . “Wrong”
Worship? Fellowship? Ministry? Service?
“Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!”
The consultant’s answer? “To bring people into an ‘experience’ with God.”
As I read that question in the article I was answering in my head “To draw people closer to God.” So it appears that my own response is somewhat aligned with that of this consultant in the article (whew). But I don’t mention the article’s conclusion because I necessarily agree or disagree with its points. But I do think it’s worth mentioning for the mere premise that not only is there an intentional purpose by a given preacher but there is equally an opinion and expectation by the listening congregation receiving the sermon message. I began to wonder if the two perspectives between the preacher and congregation are always in harmony of if they are ever in tension with one another.
Surely for many people at NCFC the above answers such as worship, evangelism and teaching are what they would answer as far as what preaching should be achieving. I would agree they are very important and worthwhile endeavors to strive for during service. So I can imagine it must annoy or slightly offend that some church consultant out there would say this is “Wrong.” I’m not here to debate those points or ask anyone to take sides. I bring this up to emphasize the point that we are all uniquely created and have distinct a separate personalities. We respond differently both emotionally and spiritually during service. As such we all will also relate differently to God as the Spirit leads us. For some, praise worship is a powerful moving experience that touches their hearts. But for others the intellectual theology of a sermon is what resonates mostly with them. And for others the fellowship and sense of community the service provides is how they “experience” God. And then when you combine the individual unique strengths and giftings of the preacher to this mix, why then you get my point: Sunday service can be a very layered and complex experience for all present.
We may make it that way, but God is not limited by any of this whatsoever. Although the means by which we are in communion with the Lord varies across different emotional and intellectual spectrums, God has the power and capacity to reach us where we are at in our lives. In His own timing and in His own way our hearts and minds are gradually transformed.
Perhaps there is a way in which to tie those responses in with the answer that the desired end purpose of preaching is “To bring people into an ‘experience with God.” Regardless of how, when and why people relate to Sunday service either emotionally or intellectually,  the important thing is that through each of those experiences along the way God speaks to us. And as a result we draw closer to Him. Hopefully there is harmony within that shared effort. Amen to that.

From Pastor Mark’s Heart
January 19, 2014

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

I don’t know why I read or watch the news.  I understand that it keeps me informed about what goes on in the world today, but often times I wonder how good it really is for me.  There has only been a few times (that I recall) where I felt positive and hopeful about what’s happening.  Hopelessness, frustration, sadness resulting in deep sighs and side comments in response to news like “we all need Jesus” or “Jesus needs to hurry and come” seem to overwhelm my thoughts and emotions.  However, as I was reflecting this week, the Lord reminded me of His sovereignty.  It wasn’t a cop-out reminder for myself, a reassuring word and thought to say for me to dismiss the reality of life, but a true reminder that He has the whole world in His hands.  Isaiah 66 has come to mind often, “Heaven is His throne, earth is His footstool” – He is indeed a big, mighty, sovereign God.  If you think on the events in scripture, especially throughout the Old Testament, we see God’s power, hope, and love shine through in some of the darkest moments of Israelite history.  Imagine being in captivity for generations, brainwashed by different rulers and forced into cultures and traditions foreign to your own.  But in the midst of that, the Lord sends people to remind greater Israel that He is still God and they are still His people, if they would turn from idols and obey.   God knows all and will respond accordingly in His perfect timing.  Whether it’s in your life or in this world, He is sovereign, He is faithful, He is a mighty fortress.  I leave you with a hymn called “A Mighty Fortress is our God” by Martin Luther that has encouraged me this week:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle. And tho' this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro' us.
The Prince of Darkness grim�
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart

July 5, 2015