[Magdalen] Opinion sought

[Clarissa Canning]

Woah ...not everyone can preach without notes ....who would take a part
time for this!

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 5:08 PM Roger Stokes via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

> On 27/05/2019 22:24, Grace Cangialosi wrote:
> > I’m curious about what folks think about a listing I saw recently for a
> church position. These were the things they were looking for in a priest.
> It’s a part-time position in a small rural church.
> >
> > Sermons should be informal, should not be read from notes and should not
> be preached from the pulpit, but from the floor.
> This makes me think of the Corinthian church as commented on in 1
> Corinthians 3. They want sermons that are easily digestible from their
> friend at the front, not solid teaching to equip them as servants of
> Christ proclaiming the Gospel in their daily lives by their actions. I
> don't use notes in preaching but I have been doing it for a lot of
> years. When I was first ordained I had a full script. I would suggest
> that preaching without notes requires either the confidence that comes
> with experience or saying the same thing week after week.
> > Sermons should usually follow the readings.
> That I can accept - put them in context and give some exegesis as to
> what they meant to the people to whom they were originally addressed
> then apply that to the here and now.
> > Sermons should not be political, nor should the congregation be lectured
> to.
> Didn't Archbishop Tutu observe that when people criticise clergy for
> preaching politics he wonders what Bible they are reading? Politics is,
> by definition, about people and the Church is called to proclaim the
> Word of God to the current generation. The Gospel, which includes such
> things as care for others and promotion of the good for all people, do
> have political implications. these may not be popular with some but they
> are there.
> > Sermons should be relevant to people’s lives and should preach the
> Gospel.
> Doesn't that imply teaching people how the Gospel they say they accept
> should impact on their daily lives?
> > Priest is not expected to visit, but should get to know parishioners and
> participate in community events the church is involved in. These include
> yard sales, fish fries, other charitable fund-raisers.
> I admit I am not a fan of routine parish visiting. Visiting should have
> a purpose such as allowing soemone to express how they truly feel when
> they cannot say that to their friends of long-standing. Much pastoral
> care can be exercised by such friends from the church but the priest
> needs to know what is happening and have a general overview so they can
> spot any gaps that appear.
> > There is one one-hour service on Sundays, no Christian education or
> formation.
>
> Doesn't that say it all?
>
> Roger
>
>