Lydia Lee, winner of Sermon of the Year 2018, shares the impact of studying theology on her faith and preaching. This is Lydia’s final column, written as she completed her first full year at London School of Theology (LST). Thank you, Lydia, for so generously sharing your journey with us
I have a confession to make – I’m a little bit addicted to talent spotting television programmes. Each one follows essentially the same format – an eager hopeful arrives and stands on the cross or the star in the middle of the stage, with approximately two minutes to change their life by performing their party piece for the judges. Each series progresses from auditions to live shows, then eventually to the nail biting final where the Great British public dials those all-important numbers to seal the fate and future of the finalists. At some point in the proceedings, the previous year’s winner makes a guest appearance (not before an intro reel reminds us of their journey and tells us a little of how they have been getting on since). ‘It’s changed my life,’ they predictably gush, beaming down the camera as we are shown the evidence that the supermarket cashier from Stoke on-Trent has now become a global superstar.
