We’ve seen all kind of things happen in, to, with, and by our congregations this past year.
Some congregations, driven by empathy, restlessness, or holy outrage to serve, have found new outlets for creative ministries to address at least one of the multiple ills of the day.
I hear more often, however, of reactive congregations.
Driven by fear, frustration, and lack of control, they have spoken (or yelled) more than listened, ghosted you or the congregation, and insisted on “their way or the highway.”
As we prepare to preach the last sermons of 2021, it might be best to start where the people are.
Usually I advocate beginning with the texts, but because we’re coming through yet another year of unexpected twists and turns, beginning with our listeners may be the better starting place.
Whether you’re preaching once or at every service the rest of December, exegeting your congregation and determining the preaching “voice” that will best serve them can make your sermon prep more efficient and relevant.
A Process to Preach Where People Are At
Step 1: What Good News Does Your Congregation Need to Hear?
To figure this out, consider what happened this past year.
What are three to five events that affected them?
These might be intra-congregational, local, national, or global.
They might have been small events that had ripple effects.
They might have been newfound ministries that need celebrating, or there might be controversies or trauma in need of reconciliation or healing.
For example:
a feeding ministry scuttled by the pandemic finally opened this fall
local school board controversies spilled over into congregational life
disputes over masking and whether to worship in-person continued
the numbers who attended worship and made pledges dropped below 2020 levels
How did the event(s) affect them? Did it alter their perspectives, behavior, or faith? What do you see? What do you read? What do you hear?
Make notes.
Step 2: Discern the Preaching Voice Needed
Relevant preaching sees and names where people are at, and doesn’t shy away from the hurt, discomfort, or joy that parishioners experience.
A specific preaching voice can help them feel seen and called forth. Which of these voices does your congregation need?
Pastor
For a traumatized or worn out congregation, hearing that their hurt and weariness are seen and normal, that God loves them in the midst, and that God always brings a new day may be the hope needed to set the next foot in front of the other.
Prophet
For congregations who may say they’re too tired to get involved, or sniping at more than loving each other, a “What do you think Jesus was born for?” sermon may be what’s most needed.
Storyteller
When we don’t “get” what it’s like for our neighbors—and make assumptions rather than ask questions, listen, or show empathy—there’s nothing like story to help us understand…and change.
Step 3: Locate the Preaching Voice in the Text
Pastor, prophet, and storyteller, for example, are represented in the Revised Common and Narrative Lectionary texts throughout December.
For example, both pastoral and prophetic voices are found in the words of Isaiah.
It’s no stretch to hear the prophetic voice, as well as the sing-song cadence of a story well told, in Mary’s call to uphold the poor and oppressed and celebrate God’s triumphs in spite of the oppressors.
The Narrative Lectionary for the first Sunday after Christmas has John denying he’s the Messiah, reminding us his is just one voice crying in the wilderness. I hear prophet (“There’s work to do”), pastor (“We’re not messiahs either, but who we are and what we offer now still matter”), and storyteller (“Let me tell you about the one who is to come”).
Next Steps
Once you’ve determined the voice for your sermons, read the texts and make notes about where you hear that voice.
As you read, note the emotions you observe. Does the speaker sound frustrated, hopeful, yearning, excited, grateful, or a combination?
What tone of voice do you hear? What timbre and cadence? Is there a contemporary voice you hear in your inner ear?
What’s at stake for the speaker? What are they worried about?
Finally
Imagine the speaker as the preacher.
What does the speaker want your listeners to know? What holy, hopeful, astonishing new thing do they want your listeners to grasp and hold onto as we move into 2022?
Embody their voice and make it your own. Preach the voice of Good News your people will hear.
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