I’ve been reading a new book, Kindling Desire for God by Kay Northcutt. It approaches preaching as spiritual direction for congregations. Wherein the pastor becomes the spiritual director for the congregation. I think this book is giving voice to my thoughts around preaching. Asking the hard questions. Wondering with rather than for the congregation about those things that often don’t make sense.
The role of a personal spiritual director is to call into question the thinking and rational of the people involved. Perhaps without consciousness, that is what I thought preaching has always been supposed to do. I remember sitting in one of my classes in seminary and hearing many of my friends say something like; ” This is really interesting, but there is no way I can preach about this, I would loose my job.” We had many discussions about this in seminary. I have to tell you, I have the greatest peace when I bring the words of God to the congregation that I am being asked to deliver. I wish that were true for all of those who labor around the task of preaching.
The role of a personal spiritual director is to call into question the thinking and rational of the people involved. Perhaps without consciousness, that is what I thought preaching has always been supposed to do. I remember sitting in one of my classes in seminary and hearing many of my friends say something like; ” This is really interesting, but there is no way I can preach about this, I would loose my job.” We had many discussions about this in seminary. I have to tell you, I have the greatest peace when I bring the words of God to the congregation that I am being asked to deliver. I wish that were true for all of those who labor around the task of preaching.
