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Christians: Do You Have This Trouble With Sermons?

sojourner

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
Clare said:
My father is a minister and here's what I've heard from him (because I've had the same complaints about sermons--I've even asked to read my Dad's sermons ahead of time and then I'll make comments---he doesn't care for this unless there's a lot of lead time--else I throw everything off):
He says that the place to talk about truly in depth stuff is in small classes where people are more or less on the same page. In church, they aren't. (I don't really buy this as I've heard my brother who is also a minister preach dynamic sermons that are very academic and challenging---they aren't conservative, though. They are cutting edge theology---he reads a lot and would probably love this forum. He's unafraid of exploring contemporary scholarship in a sermon and just can do it really well. Sometimes it causes no problems, at other times, it does.
I think it all depends on how much the minister feels he or she must "keep the peace." And his/her job.
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It's a fine line. You have to have a good feel for your congo, so that you know when and what to push, and when and what to play safe. Not easy!
 
ChristineES

ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
I do read the Bible myself, but I like to hear other interpretations by others. So the problem of hearing the same quotes from 1 Romans, and other of Paul's letters get a bit old. I also have the trouble of people skipping around. I like to study the Bible as a whole and not skip around so much. I suppose I have to learn to look around more.

Thanks for all the responses. :)
 
jtartar

jtartar

Well-Known Member
ChristineES said:
I have noticed, throughout the years, that when I hear a sermon, it seems to be directed on either new Christians or at people just wondering if they should accept Christianity. When I go to Church, I want to learn about things that I don't know about- I want to dig deeper into the story of Moses, Abraham, David, etc and deeper into the Gospels on the OT.
Am I expecting too much? Is Church for the new Christian? Are there places you have been that don't preach like that? Sunday School and Bible studies are the same as the sermons, too.
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ChristineES,
I believe you will find the same thing in most churches. The reason is that these churches do not want to offend anyone, because they want to expand their membership. If the minister told his listeners what the Bible actually says, they probably would not return. The Bible says that in later years people would collect together preachers to tickle their ears, 2Tim 4:3. It seems that most people want to hear things that make them feel that they are looked on favorably by God, even when they may be practicing some kind of sin.
If you want to learn the truth of God's word you will probably have to go to, what is called a Bible Church, one that believes in Systemic Theology. This is a church that goes to the Bible to teach them the doctrines found in the Holy Scriptures, and do not go the Bible to try to find a few scriptures to back up preconceived ideas, 2Cor 10:3-5, Prov 2:1-11, 3:5,6, Ps 146:3,4.
 
Kathryn

Kathryn

It was on fire when I laid down on it.
ChristineES said:
I have noticed, throughout the years, that when I hear a sermon, it seems to be directed on either new Christians or at people just wondering if they should accept Christianity. When I go to Church, I want to learn about things that I don't know about- I want to dig deeper into the story of Moses, Abraham, David, etc and deeper into the Gospels on the OT.
Am I expecting too much? Is Church for the new Christian? Are there places you have been that don't preach like that? Sunday School and Bible studies are the same as the sermons, too.
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Consider discussing your needs with your pastor or other church leadership. If they don't know of your need, they can't address it. And they deserve honest feedback. I am sure they want to meet the needs of their congregation. Encourage other people who feel the same way to also share their needs with church leadership.

Consider volunteering to lead a Sunday School class which offers more "meat." There are lots of great lesson plans out there. Maybe a group of people who feel as you do within the church can rotate out leadership of such a serious study class. I've been a part of this sort of thing at several churches over the years and it usually works well.

If you encounter resistance to these very reasonable ideas, then you may want to consider changing church homes.
 
sojourner

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
These kinds of sermons are typically geared toward the impetus of evangelization. There are much, much better ways to evangelize. In my professional opinion, there may be a time and place for such sermons, but they certainly should never be the norm in a settled congregation. The purpose for preaching is spiritual direction, which seeks to invite the listener to a deeper connection with God.
 
ChristineES

ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
Is it really true that most Christians want milk instead of meat? Milk is fine for a baby, but when one has matured into their Christianity, they should want more solid food. Kathryn, that is a good idea about starting a bible study. And I guess I have to accept the fact that people want their "ears tickled" as Paul said to Timothy. It would be prudent for me to find people who want meat instead of milk.
Thanks for all the comments. :)
 
bobhikes

bobhikes

Nondetermined
Premium Member
Our church the sermons are brief basically highlighting the stories for you. If you wish to do indepth studies we have a catechist group that takes everyone not just those wanting to teach. They meet once a week

Some other churches I know have bible studies.

Talk to your church leader others maybe interested and they may put together a study group.
 
Otherright

Otherright

Otherright
ChristineES said:
I have noticed, throughout the years, that when I hear a sermon, it seems to be directed on either new Christians or at people just wondering if they should accept Christianity. When I go to Church, I want to learn about things that I don't know about- I want to dig deeper into the story of Moses, Abraham, David, etc and deeper into the Gospels on the OT.
Am I expecting too much? Is Church for the new Christian? Are there places you have been that don't preach like that? Sunday School and Bible studies are the same as the sermons, too.
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I agree with you 100%. Its a one-trick pony.
 
idea

idea

Question Everything
I think the depth lies within the ears of the listener (or eyes of the beholder). Jesus taught in parables - he would just tell some simple little story, and then walk away (usually only discussing the meaning of said parable with a few close friends long after his "lecture") it was up to the audience to think about what was said, understand it on the level they were able to see it at, and then apply it...

I have taught kindergarten science labs - volunteer work while my kids were in school - and enjoyed them immensely... the kids understood things on one level, I was able to see a little more than they did - the same "simple" subjects for all of us...
 
strikeviperMKII

strikeviperMKII

Well-Known Member
ChristineES said:
I have noticed, throughout the years, that when I hear a sermon, it seems to be directed on either new Christians or at people just wondering if they should accept Christianity. When I go to Church, I want to learn about things that I don't know about- I want to dig deeper into the story of Moses, Abraham, David, etc and deeper into the Gospels on the OT.
Am I expecting too much? Is Church for the new Christian? Are there places you have been that don't preach like that? Sunday School and Bible studies are the same as the sermons, too.
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Try these:
http://www.stjoeco.org/
Homilies
 
Firstborner

Firstborner

Active Member
ChristineES said:
I have noticed, throughout the years, that when I hear a sermon, it seems to be directed on either new Christians or at people just wondering if they should accept Christianity. When I go to Church, I want to learn about things that I don't know about- I want to dig deeper into the story of Moses, Abraham, David, etc and deeper into the Gospels on the OT.
Am I expecting too much? Is Church for the new Christian? Are there places you have been that don't preach like that? Sunday School and Bible studies are the same as the sermons, too.
Click to expand...


My wife and I come from different backgrounds, I have felt before the same as you in my home church, but when I go to her's all I ever hear is ,"Tithe, give, we are going to do big things with your money, don't hold it back from God! What? Don't have it! No problem. Write that check and put the amount you wish you could give and by faith God will cover it for you. Pressed together and the cup runneth over! ..." I usually feel much better hearing the same old basic sermons after that. So I can buddy up or just do some one on one with the Holy Spirit if I want more understanding.
 
pwfaith

pwfaith

Active Member
ChristineES said:
I have noticed, throughout the years, that when I hear a sermon, it seems to be directed on either new Christians or at people just wondering if they should accept Christianity. When I go to Church, I want to learn about things that I don't know about- I want to dig deeper into the story of Moses, Abraham, David, etc and deeper into the Gospels on the OT.

Am I expecting too much? Is Church for the new Christian? Are there places you have been that don't preach like that? Sunday School and Bible studies are the same as the sermons, too.
Click to expand...

Our church has 2 different types of services going on at the same time. The one we enjoy going to is more "topical" in nature and the other one seems to go straight through the bible, chapter by chapter. I like the one we go to, it's more my style.

You are welcome to listen online Archives - Crossroads Fellowship (the different pastors are at the top, just click on each - Chuck Milian, Mike Garrett and others.
 
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