Issue 43 Expressions of churchBlog | Before you start
Before you start
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 16.06.25
Bob Hartman asks us to conduct a thought experiment and imagine how a talking Bible, the congregation and the Holy Spirit might engage with us as we prepare our sermon.
In the first column (Preach 42) the preacher was gathering their thoughts – taking into account the views of the congregation, what the Bible and Holy Spirit was saying and what they were thinking. Let’s carry on the story...
Script
CAST The preacher…………………………
The Holy Spirit…………………………
The Bible………………………………
The congregation………………………
The preacher chooses a text. And the conversation continues.
SCENE IN WETHERSPOONS The coffee’s cheap and they can have as many refills as they like. This next bit could take a while
Bible looks to the preacher
BIBLE You need to understand me.
PREACHER Looking forward to it, I’ll do the best I can. Bible addresses congregation:
BIBLE You need to be open to what I have to say. Willing to wrestle, and question and surrender. Congregation nods:
CONGREGATION Well, when you put it that way. Sure
Bible to the Holy Spirit:
BIBLE And, you! You inspire me! The Spirit smiles
