The words that disconnect me from sermons and speakers.

“CHURCH”

I asked our 6-year old to draw his depiction of going to church, and this is what he came up with.

I rather like it.

…when they’re brimming with rhetorical questions.

Sermons or talks that are filled with (too many) rhetorical questions. “Don’t you think that ____?…”

…when they’re filled with broad platitudes and generalized anecdotes.

Ones that are presented as fresh, unique, original, or specifically relevant…and especially when it feels like they’re being twisted to fit that particular sermon. But really, it’s out of context. Kind of like proof-texting to make the Biblical point you want to make.

…when they use out-of-context quotes.

Ones that use, for example, Martin Luther King to argue for non-violence while turning the point into one that the church should stay out of politics, social justice, and controversy. Also: quotes by figures who are used when it becomes clear that the only relevance is that quote, with no understanding of who the person was.

…reliance on these words and phrases.

Here’s a partial list, and they generally come from those who confidently have given many sermons or talks:

Powerful, hear God’s voice, in America today, younger generation, God thing, relevant, I want to assure you, et cetera…

…big crescendos that are profound in style, not substance.

When there’s big buildups to points that are not that profound. I’m not simply being cynical; my point don’t obfuscate or distract from a weak or cliche point by making it sound profound and important.

…wink-wink to the in-crowd.

When there’s too many in-church jokes and clubby, chummy references to things that are (perhaps) mildly humorous…if you’re in the club.

…humblebragging.

When speakers casually talk about their humble qualifications for serving the church. “My territory includes…”

…more veneers of profundity.

When there’s long pauses following an apparently-profound statement to allow congregation to soak it in…instead of reading the room and pausing if necessary and warranted.

…more overused words and phrases.

I’m convinced, this world, we sense, God’s presence

…over reliance on too many Bible verses in a single talk.

I’m not criticizing using Bible verses. There could be any number of incredible sermons exegesizing a single verse and then looking at its relevance, context, possible meanings and relevance, et cetera. I’m talking about a flood of proof-texting where so many verses are thrown out that it becomes a blur; when the speaker has a point, a strong agenda, and they throw out so many linked-together verses that the point becomes not to really learn from them, but to use them as weapons in assembling a position and supporting their thesis. Maybe there’s a place for this. I don’t do well with this manner of learning.

…droning.

The ones that go on and on and on, and keep adding ideas without making anything sticky.

That idea: sticky. Is so important. What are you going to leave people with? What do you want them to take away and remember?

Like the Heaths said: if you want it to count, make it sticky.

random church observations & Haiku

He’s from conference

Preacher, company man talks

Lots of sniffling.

If you are preaching;

Rhetorical questions should

Be used sparingly.

A Finnish woman

Massages her husband’s back

I think he’s husband?

Can you say this word?

He’s trying to engage us, but

But I’m resistant.

One more snippet.

There’s always the person who has to one-up in a way that’s impossible to refute, reject, or top:

Preacher: Can I hear you say ‘to God be the glory?’

Congregation repeats.

Woman in congregation: ‘To God be all the glory!”

Boom. Mic drop. Amen.