Preach It Preacha!

Hi all, I'm back in LA and trying to adjust to a new quarter and all that. There has been a lot going on but nothing that is helpful to share. It is really tough learning lessons the hard way, especially when those lessons seem to teach harsh, negative things.

I came across an article through Catalyst that addressed some questions I've had for a little while. It is an article that deals with preaching, it's role in the church, it's Biblical basis, it's effectiveness, the dependancies it creates, and other issues of that sort. I have never questioned having teaching in a church service, but I have wondered how to make it more effective because I can never remember even the most superficial things about a message within a few hours. I don't remember what the main ideas were, what verses were used, or how I realized that I could apply this in my life. I remember that it was a good message, that they had great points, and that I needed to apply that, but I don't really remember how anymore which is really frustrating and disappointing. And this probably happens before dinner that night.

So how do get this to actually stick? How do we get the info out of short term memory and into our mindset so we actually see life differently the next day? I had a couple thoughts, but I would really like to hear your thoughts on this. Do you agree or disagree with the article? Are there things you emphasize to increase the effectiveness of teaching? What do you think a church service could/should look like?

You could limit the teaching time to 20 minutes, and then spend 20 minutes of real ministry time. Let people break up into groups to discuss it, pray for each other, worship, whatever, but you can't leave! Churches always leave time for ministry at the end, but the implication always is "If you are screwed up and need help, come up front and we will fix you. If you are perfect like us, then go enjoy lunch!" and who wants to be the screwed up dude? Plus the emphasis is on the "leadership" doing the praying and healing and fixing, so what good is everyone else? But if everyone started praying and discussing...

It would be cool if you had lots of people who taught, not just one. Anyone who had a story to tell could share it. The multiple teachers would be able to really dig deep and live out an idea before they taught it. Unfortunately, now nobody is going to come to your church just for the charismatic preacher/entertainer. Interestingly, Rob Bell is probably the best teacher I've found, and if anyone could get away with just talking all the time it would be him. But Mars Hill is also the church that uses the most guest preachers of any that I know (22 in 2007 alone). They also have church members share their stories on the stage all the time, and often Rob will use their story to back what he says- it puts all the emphasis and focus on the people living the teaching, not the ones teaching the teaching.

So gimme your thoughts on this, and...

GO CHARGERS!