Sermon (Non-) Preparation, 1

Since I wasn't preparing to preach for the last couple of weeks, God opened up some things to me about preparing to preach. It's good for pastors and for church members alike to understand the dynamics involved in the mystery and miracle of God-ordained preaching.

Of course, no pastor would ever admit being un-prepared. But, we could all agree that there are weeks when we are more prepared than others (we'll talk about why later). Below are some critical misses that result from non-preparation:

1. Introduction-decarbonation. The introduction to a sermon is like shaking up a bottle of Coke. It’s where the pressure is built and sustained for a brief time before you take off the lid and release the energy contained in the sermon. If the introduction is weak or non-engaging, your sermon has no fizz. And fizz matters. Fizz is the equivalent of anointing and unction. It doesn't have to be funny to fizz, but funny sure helps engage your audience at the beginning of the message. Even better, funny AND personal creates engagement and empathy. But it's got to be real. Faux self-deprecation makes me throw up in my mouth.
2. Illustration-Apnea. Illustrations breathe life into a sermon that your audience inhales and exhales. It allows them to see inside your life and they reflexively draw parallels to their own lives.
3. Energy-overload. When a speaker’s not as prepared as he could be, he’ll tend to speak louder and/or faster in order to compensate for the lack of confidence in his material. Bombast is a good word and a horrible practice.
4. Transition-atrophy. Early in my ministry, Ed Young hammered into my psyche that transitions are the most important post-introduction element of a sermon (speech, address, etc.). He’s right. Transitions create flow and lead your audience from one point to the next almost without their noticing it. But, transitional statements/paragraphs/illustrations have to be prepared and refined and memorized in order to feel seamless to your audience.
5. Spirit-dehydration. Nothing can compensate for a lack of time spent in prayer and reflection for the message--and means of communicating that message--that God wants to deliver through the preacher. Without it, a sermon is dry, brittle, rough, and impotent. It loses its supernatural, mysterious, and genuine power to touch and change lives.

Nothing is more sacred or significant in the pastor's calling than the mission of preaching the Gospel. We have to guard our schedules and create blocks of time for prayer, study, writing, editing, and preparing to deliver sermons that God uses to change us and lead his church where he wants it to go. And, in larger congregations, we have to lead our congregations to accept their responsibility in honoring that commitment and accepting counsel/prayer/leadership/visitation/wedding- or funeral-officiating from other gifted and called pastors who do not preach on a weekly basis. What they need is the touch or counsel of God--who it comes through is much less important.

Tough

"Tough" is not the most frequently used term to describe most worship pastors. But, LHC's Worship Pastor Mark Groutas is not most worship pastors. This morning, he and his team led us to the throne in genuine, excellent, spirit-and-truth worship--all while he was suffering from a severely yanked back spasm.

I was standing backstage with Mark when a friend walked by and slapped him on the shoulder to say "Good morning!" and you could see the pain radiate through him--after he smiled and returned the "Good morning!" to the unknowing offender.

It's admirable when athletes play through pain and give their teammates everything they've got. How much more so when the stakes are eternal and literally, spiritually, life and death. "Tough" is rarely paired with spiritual character traits, but it should be. Spiritually mature, Christ-like people are tough. I was proud of him and proud to serve with him today in a new and fresh way. Thanks, Mark, for doing all you do as well as you do for the reasons you do it all.

Oh, yeah, how he yanked his back? Playing on the trampoline with his kids.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

I want to introduce you...

...to a good friend of mine and an amazing leader. Dr. Rocky Kirk is the Superintendent of the Lake Travis Independent School District. Rocky leads one of the fastest growing districts in the state at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, opportunity, and challenges.

Every time I get to have lunch or coffee with him, he is relentless in his praise of his people, their devotion to excellence for the students of LTISD, and his commitment to do the right thing for the right reasons. In addition to all these things, he married over his head--which I truly appreciate!

Rocky is one of those people who fills my tank. He is an encourager, but it's much more than that. He's willing to make tough decisions on behalf of the students and community he serves. He is a leader's leader and someone I'm grateful and proud to know and call a friend.

Save the Daylight

I've known for a while that God is Provider--but until I started preparing for this week's message, I had no idea all the ramifications of that fact. I'm telling you right now, if you or someone you know is anxious/nervous/concerned/freaked out over the economy--and I understand if you are--then this weekend's service is HUGE for you and them.

Also, remember that Sat. night is night to set your clocks AHEAD one hour for the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Check out this reminder:


Save The Daylight from Lake Hills Church on Vimeo.

This Weekend

The Dow reaches a 12-year low. The "Stimulus Package" has more pork in it than my two breakfast tacos yesterday (and that's saying something). People are financially freaked out and puckered up. And...the sun still came up this morning. We still have people in our lives to love, people who love us, and a lot more people in our lives who are more open than ever to the touch of God in their lives.

All of which means I cannot WAIT for worship this weekend. We're going to continue the message series Hello, My Name is God with a look at God Who Provides. Provider is one of God's primary roles that He chooses to play in our lives. This fact couldn't be any more relevant or important as we walk through this economic swamp. I promise you this weekend will in-courage, challenge, and stretch us as we continue chasing God together.

If you are a Christ-follower, there's nothing more spiritually mature or deep that you can do than introduce someone to Christ. If you invite them to join you at LHC this weekend, I guarantee they will meet Christ. We all will.

Deer Cat Fight

I caught this in a deer stand this season and it just makes me laugh every time I see it. The funny part is right at the beginning:


Deer Cat Fight from Mac Richard on Vimeo.

Good to Be Back

It's so good to be back--

1. From the flu. It knocked Julie + me down hard for 8-10 days and then took another week or so to feel like I'm back to what passes for normal.
2. From our first Pastors Retreat in too long. We got some great work and planning done. But, just as important, we got to get away and play some too. I am so blessed to work alongside some of the most gifted, loyal, godly men. Also, we're incredibly grateful to Mike + Holly Gardner for hosting us at San Miguel Ranch & Lodge just outside of Uvalde, TX. What an incredible place and incredible people!
3. From a blogging hiatus. It's been a wild few weeks to kick off 2009 and posting was just one of those things that got pushed to the back burner. We've got some changes coming in the next couple of weeks to macrichard.com that are going to be sweet brown sugar.

Can't wait for worship tomorrow--in preparing for the message, I've been so encouraged by the fact that God is a warrior who fights for us. Make sure you're a part of worship tomorrow either at the Mother Ship in Bee Cave or at LHC Downtown. And bring someone with you who needs to know that God is on their side.