I had a revelation a few years ago. I realized that at that point in my life, my life completely revolved around National Community Church. On one level, that is the price you pay as a church planter. But if you don't "get a life" outside of church, I think your leadership and your preaching will eventually suffer. You need relationships, hobbies, and goals outside the church.
If you want to preach interesting sermons, you to need to lead an interesting life. Or to put it another way, if you have "no life" outside of church you're messages will seem canned. They'll be more theory than practice.
Interesting life = Interesting sermons
If you want to preach interesting sermons, you to need to lead an interesting life. Or to put it another way, if you have "no life" outside of church you're messages will seem canned. They'll be more theory than practice.
Interesting life = Interesting sermons
24 Comments:
Interesting theory. Can you support that with scripture?
Benjamin,
Something can be abiblical (not in Scripture) but not unbiblical (contrary to biblical teaching). Key distinction.
Just an observation about life.
I think it's true.
Mark
Mark,
Can you reccomend two other blogs that you enjoy?
don
pdnazzz.blogspot.com
Love lots of blogs. Check out our discipleship pastor, Heather Zempel. Great content. Love Perry Noble and Tony Morgan and Scott Hodge and Ben Arment and the list goes on and on.
Mark
Thanks!
Good post Mark. I know it is hard to not feel guilty for taking time for self. I finally realized that I needed to ride my bicycle. My wife needs me to ride and when they were home by two daughters. The people of the fellowship I pastor need me to ride also. I need the physical outlet and the head-clearing it gives me plus just getting exercise is important.
Great stuff. I think I enjoyed your discourse on the differences between "abiblical" and "unbiblical" as much as the theory itself.
At the end of the day, all truth is God's truth. Truth does not exist outside of Him, even when it is revealed in seemingly "unspiritual" paradigms. The spiritual is way closer to real life than we think . . . I think that was Jesus' point: to bring spiritual realities to physical life. If we can't see God outside of religious moments, then we're missing a whole lot of God.
So observe away, my friend!
I've known a lot of preachers and listened to a lot of sermons during my lifetime, and I couldn't agree more, Mark. Churches that give their leaders time away from the office benefit in the long run.
Thanks for this reminder to stay physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy! I am reading "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day." It is a great encouragement and challenge. I am also using the Chase the Lion series with our Sunday morning group at church and there have been many insights that I have gained from these books. Know that you are even impacting churches and church leaders that you have never met before! Do what you need to do to stay healthy so that God may continue to use you in great ways.
I'm finding this true as well and appreciate the confirmation. It's easy to feel guilty for doing that (self-inflicted).
"I think it's true."
...but what if you are wrong? Is it possible for something that you thought to be incorrect? There's no problem if you do not contradict what is taught scripture.
I just wondered if it were possible for you to support your theory with scripture. We are told to "Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Is it possible to support a Christian belief that has no foundation other than your personal thoughts?
To be blunt, your theory seems to place more importance on your personal life rather than scripture.
What does scripture say that pastors should preach?
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-8
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Colossians 2:8
Sure, have a life outside of church. There's nothing wrong with that; but then preach Christ (once again, Jesus said that all of scripture is about Him). Then teach your followers that they should test everything that you say so that they will not be led astray.
"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." Acts 17:11
Benjamin,
Here we go again :)
You can preach a biblical sermon and interesting sermon at the same time. And you can preach Christ and preach an interesting sermon at the same time.
Jesus was interesting. Is that wrong? I think that is one reason why people listened to him. The parables are interesting. Nothing wrong with that.
For the record, I believe Scripture is the final authority. And I preach Christ.
Hope that covers all your questions. I'd respectfully ask that you don't hijack each post with your comments. I just don't think it's fair to you or me or everyone else who is reading them.
I've tried to graciously answer your questions while hopefully speaking into your life.
Blessings,
Mark
Hey Mark- Just wanted to point out that I enjoy reading your blog in spite of the fact that others often try to use it as a platform to write their own.
Benjamin you're taking Mark out of the context. That's his observation. You might as well have your own. Sure we need the Bible as our standard for living. But you can't always find all the answers in the Bible. What you can find are the principles to live by. Otherwise, you're also putting God's word in a book.
This post has been removed by the author.
Benjamin,
Actually, I can not only attest to my pastor's words here, but I support that thought as well. I have to be honest, I find that academic knowledge without a real-life purpose is pretty meaningless as truth.
Here's a scripture for you, if you still wanted it: "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:18) Bear with me: I find that when a lot of people get stuck in the lens of structured church fellowship, they simply cannot empathize with people who face difficulties outside in the real world. It's a lot easier to preach the truth sitting down than it is standing up and playing the game.
I remember struggling with God about wanting to study screenwriting when He clearly was closing those doors for me. It was only later that I realized, God had instead led me down a different path full of struggles, difficulties, and incredible triumphs. I had wanted to study the screenplay format and techniques, and instead, God gave me what was far more valuable: something to write about.
I think the spirit of Pastor Mark's blog entry here speaks along the same lines.
I don't mean to hijack anything, but the topic is relevant and do continue to respond, even if you don't really give a solid answer based on scripture. :)
I don't disagree that your sermon can't be both biblical and interesting. However, is it possible that someone could lead a completely boring life, yet preach an interesting biblical sermon?
The clear context of this post is, "If you want to preach interesting sermons, you to need to lead an interesting life."
And I don't need to put God's word in a book. He already did. It's called the Bible. ;)
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Here's another way of thinking of it: the most important truths ought to be communicated in the most memorable ways.
There is nothing unscriptural or unchristlike about leading an interesting life or preaching an interesting sermon. If you aren't interesting, you'll probably only have 28 people read your blog or listen to your sermon :) And you aren't doing it justice.
Jesus engaged his listeners in interesting ways and then delivered the truth in biblical ways. Just trying to follow suit.
For the record, following Christ and living a Spirit led life is anything but boring. Nothing is more exciting or interesting. You can't live by faith and be bored simultaneously.
Again, I'd respectfully ask that you don't create arguments that aren't there. To be blunt, it's bad stewardship of your time and sideways energy. We both have far more important things to do--like being about the Father's business.
Hope you can respect that.
Thanks,
Mark
May I ask, what is the line between a discussion and an "argument"? Is the a discussion if we agree and an argument if we disagree?
I do believe that I have brought up valid questions and concerns. However, I will readily admit that I could be wrong. After all, I am a sinner in need of a Savior.
The initial question was simply to determine whether or not you could support your theory with scripture. My second reply was meerly an explanation of why I asked if you could support it. In all honesty, I've felt as though I've been attacked by you and a couple of your readers for having a different point of view.
I do appreciate the time that you have taken to reply though. After my initial post, each comment has only been as a response.
@Alice - Thank you for your comments. Though I do disagree with you about the purpose and content of a Christian sermon, I can relate to your perspective and respect your point of view. Thank you for also including scripture. I would like to encourage you to read and think about FAITH WITHOUT WORKS.
Thank you to all for your time.
Benjamin,
Couldn't resist could you :)
There are people who can find something right no matter what and people who can find something wrong no matter what. No matter I post you'll find something wrong with it. And that's your prerogative. But I don't let people hijack my blog. Doesn't happen often. Especially considering the fact that I'll get eighteen million hits this year.
Nothing edifying has come from your comments. They serve no redemptive purpose. At times I've chuckled because they are so inane, but there comes a point where you need to simply stop.
Ephesians 3:29 is a verse I quote to my kids all time. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up."
I call it the edification test. And your comments don't pass the test. Maybe they are well intentioned. Maybe you're trying to stir up controversy. I don't want to judge your motives. But for the third time, I respectfully ask you to stop commenting. Happy to have you read. And maybe you could have your own blog. But we certainly have more significant things to do that go back and forth. We've got to be about the Father's business and this isn't it :)
Thanks,
Mark
Paster Mark, You encourage us to use our talents, discover our gifts and explore God's creation. Thank you so very much!!
I think this is so interesting! A few years ago I took an atheist friend to an event at the bay. When I introduced her to a pastor (not you Mark) I nearly keeled over at his inability to have a conversation with an unbeliever. He just kept saying things like "we're out here just worshipping Jesus" and "we're just here to be a presence for Jesus" and so on and on (and believe me on and on).
My atheist friend looked at him like he was 1) SUCH a bore and 2) so out of touch with normal every day life. He literally didn't have anything to talk about.
Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE to talk about Jesus all day long. But we have got to be interesting and interested in other people. Once Jesus becomes our "common ground" then it's different.
I am shocked when people can't have interesting conversations - like asking "what keeps you busy during the day" or "what do you like to do in your spare time" or "tell me what a typical weekend looks like for you" or even "when you go out what kind of ethnic food do you like to eat." We've got to have some interests if we want to meet people who haven't yet met jesus. I know you're mostly talking about sermons.
But I say, be interesting. It's the best pre-evangelism out there!!!! Just my ten cents.
I find it interesting that this post and dialogue occurs AFTER the post on "Rebuking Distractions"... :0)
I also think of how Jesus continually got away from his "preaching ministry" to hang out with his disciples...have some down time with them....and even stopped by to hang out with his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Maybe when we get to heaven someone should tell him that he should have been out preaching 24/7 instead of all of this "life stuff"... ??? Just saying....
Benjamin,
I'm glad you're still reading, but I did delete your comment because I asked you to stop commenting. If you don't think I preach the gospel listen to this week's podcast. I think you will realize that you owe an apology to me and more importantly, to the one I preach for and about.
Blessings,
Mark
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