Preaching Reading

If there is anything I've learned in the past several years, it very easy for pastors to fall into the trap of constantly administrating something. There are and always will be people who have tasks for you to do for them. There will always be some email to write, some call to make, and something to plan for.

It is easy for things like professional development to get pushed aside. However, if such things get pushed aside for long, so goes your life, energy and new ideas.

It is hard to justify sometimes taking the time to care for yourself when you know that so many other things need you (or at least you think they do).

But, this week, I've made a pledge with myself to read a sermon a day (even if I am not preaching for that particular week).

Why? I have heard a lot of advise from colleagues about how reading others really does help you form your own words in clearer ways. It is not that you take words from others. It is not that drool over good writing (which can be easy to do sometimes). But, you become even more involved with how language forms and shapes you so you can do the same thing for the readers of your writing.

I decided to start with one of my preaching heroes, Barbara Brown Taylor and her book, The Seeds of Heaven: Sermons of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew has always been a book I've wrestled to understand, so I'm looking forward to my daily time with the gospel and BBT.

I'm hoping I find enough disciple to continue this practice for awhile!