Living with the Sermon

For the most part I'm an optimist.  I keep on the sunny side.  I like when frowns turn upside down.  The glass is half full.  

You get my drift. 

Optimists look forward with hope, but we sometimes hesitate to name what is difficult. So I’m stretching today: Sermon-writing is difficult.

Recently a young minister asked me "Do you ever feel inadequate as a pastor?"

"Every day.  Every Sunday.  Every sermon."  I said it so quickly I didn't think to keep on the sunny side.

On Thursdays it feels as if the sermon will never come together.  There’s rambling in my rough draft (if I have one).  My ideas are unclear.  My illustrations seem forced.  It feels like pulling teeth to get a paragraph together.

Of course the sermon comes together—something has to by Sunday—but it’s worrisome each week.  The whole process is humbling, and perhaps especially so for a perfectionist who also struggles with pride.  

Sermons live with me 24/7.  Sometimes people tell me to forget about the sermon for a bit.  People say this because they care about me, but forgetting the sermon is like forgetting I have an arm or a leg.  The sermon is always part of me which makes it heavy to carry; and at the same time the weight is what gives it meaning.  

Sermon-writing is a constant back and forth with the Holy Spirit.  "Is that me talking or you talking?  Am I listening to you or am I just trying to be clever?"  This conversation continues Sunday mornings even as worship begins.  

During worship a hundred thoughts come to mind.  I remember afresh the man who's waiting on test results.  I notice the woman staring off in the distance.   I see smiles and grief in the same pew.   I can tell when the teenager would rather be anywhere else.  I sense the closeness of some families and the gaping distance between others.  I scratch out a paragraph.  I underline a sentence to emphasize.  I wonder what good news will sound like for _____ today. 

All of this is part of the sermon-writing process.

Sermon-writing is difficult, but here's what is also true: Sermon-writing is a joy.  Once I reach the pulpit and start preaching the Holy Spirit bolsters me.  It's incredible, and for those 20 minutes I'm in the groove.  

Before the sermon?  Different story.  

After the sermon?  Different story, but during...THAT is the sweet spot. 

As an optimist, I'm tempted to tie all of this up with a big red bow.  No need.  You know I love sermon-writing.  It is a sacred privilege, but it is not easy.  

Most good things aren't.

Six Years of Joy

It's been six years today.

I have pastored Scottsville Baptist Church for six years.  

As I type those words, I can hardly believe them.

I knew I loved 'em when I met 'em, and happily God has grown that love with each passing year.  They see me—my flaws and gifts—and I see them.  This is no longer honeymoon-stage love:  Six years is a long time.  A long-term pastorate is a gift.  I am grateful.

To celebrate, I wanted to share a few moments of captured joy:

Dorothy was the Co-Chair of the Pastor Search Committee.  As I transitioned to Scottsville, Dorothy said she would look for ways to support me.  
Here's what she's done:
Every Monday for six years (that's 312 Mondays) Dorothy has sent me a note of encouragement.  She often reflects on the sermon or good things going on in the church.  She'll ask how I'm doing or insist I take a day off.  
You can't imagine what these 312 plus emails have meant to me.

This is Easter 2013.  I had been at the church for about four months. 
It was a dreary day, but I'm glad we snapped a photo. 
We were just getting started on our journey together.  

Here we are at my Installation Service.  The Lord called me to Scottsville, and Bill Smith was a big part of the Lord's work.  Bill bent over backwards to help make it happen.  I am grateful for such a wise mentor and friend. 

This is also from my Installation Service.  These pastors have been a source of encouragement, hope, understanding, and friendship.

I don't remember much about our first Deacons' Retreat, but this photo brings me inordinate amounts of joy.  

In late 2013 God called Hallie and Matthew to our church.  I could see Hallie's gifts for ministry right away, and the church called her to serve. 
We designed her ministry to focus on families, and at first we didn't have many but we stepped out on faith. 

And I'm glad we did because God called most of these folks to the church in 2014-2015.  It was an incredible season of growth—thanks be to God. 
We started a Sunday School Class, and a lot of joy was born of this season.

Sometimes we played kickball after business meetings.  That was fun.

In the summer of 2014 we took a trip to Washington, D.C. 
Since that trip I've had the privilege of baptizing both
Robbie Via Sr. and Robbie Via Jr. and officiating two Via weddings. 
The gift of a long pastorate is being welcomed into wonderfully holy moments
in people's lives.

Speaking of holy moments:  I love when seniors and young people bond. 
30-year olds sitting with 90-year olds is our jam.
Our seniors are among the best. 
Some pictured in this post have gone on to glory.  We love and miss them.

Here we are in October 2015 celebrating 175 years
of Scottsville Baptist Church. 

We have had fun with Baptist Men's Day and Baptist Women's Day. 
Here are both our men and women belting out praise to God.
I love that all ages and stages are represented.

Baptist Women's Choir

We've enjoyed leading different genres of music in our worship. 
Pictured above is our Handbellz Group. 
Simply seeing these matching t-shirts reaffirms my love for Scottsville.

I love that the church is open to experiencing various elements of worship.

On December 24th we'll host a Christmas Eve Service. 
It is a meaningful evening. 
We'll share communion, sing carols, listen to scripture, and proclaim Jesus' birth.

As the home church of Lottie Moon, we hope to carry on the tradition of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.  This year we partnered with Virginia Baptists in helping with flood relief in both Texas and North Carolina. 

In September we braved the rain for a Nats game.  Because there were only 10 people total at the game, ushers invited us down from the nosebleeds to sit in the best seats!  Victoria said she could smell Bryce's shampoo. 
Yes it poured cats and dogs shortly after this picture was taken,
but what a glorious 20 minutes it was.

This is a picture from the 2018 Deacons' Retreat. 
I am inspired by their humility and leadership, and I can't tell you how many times I've relied on their wisdom. 
Their listening ears have been a gift to this verbally-processing pastor. 
I am grateful for all those God has called to serve as a deacon.  

These are just a few snapshots.  There are hundreds more.  Thanks be to God for calling me to this place and these people.