Issue 07 Preaching JusticeBlog | What I’ve learnt THE WISDOM OF A SEASONED PREACHER by Revd Michael Haighton
What I’ve learnt THE WISDOM OF A SEASONED PREACHER by Revd Michael Haighton
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 13.06.16
They say wisdom comes with age. Having been preaching for approximately 45 years I have learnt a few things I’d like to pass on. (I’m still learning, and I hope when that stops I shall be wise enough to no longer preach.) When you are a preacher it is so easy to make assumptions. So don’t assume that when you think the sermon has gone badly, that it actually has (Isaiah 55:11); and don’t assume that every person listening to you is a committed Christian. In the last issue’s editorial, Jo Swinney said ‘Every time you preach the likelihood is that you are preaching to the unconverted.’ We never know, so bear this in mind. Following on from that, don’t assume in this day and age that people know their Bible as they once did. It is so easy to say ‘You know the parable’, or ‘we all know the Psalm’, but not everyone will. Better to assume nothing.
Never use the pulpit to score points or to get at people. You are there as the Lord’s mouthpiece. It is important to prayerfully prepare well, whilst at the same time being open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I try to do this whether or not I use the lectionary. I now aim to preach on subjects that are rarely preached on these days.
