Here’s the thing… last week, I preached four times. And I preached about that many times
the week before that. And the week
before that. And the week before
that – for the last three months.
the week before that. And the week
before that. And the week before
that – for the last three months.
You see, what I’ve found out is that when World Race teams come
to Africa, they preach. A
lot. So much so that I’ve started
calling this three-month stint on The Continent “Preachathon 2012” because that
is literally the extent of what we do – we wake up, have our quiet time, hang
out in the morning, then go to church to preach.
to Africa, they preach. A
lot. So much so that I’ve started
calling this three-month stint on The Continent “Preachathon 2012” because that
is literally the extent of what we do – we wake up, have our quiet time, hang
out in the morning, then go to church to preach.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a lot of experience
preaching… in fact, short of sharing my testimony a few times, I don’t have any experience preaching. And with the average African church
services running at least four hours long, it can be daunting to get up there
and speak. Luckily for my
squadmates and all future World Racers, I have compiled a list of ways that are
surefire methods to lengthen your sermon to African standards. So next time you’re the only mzungu in
a sea of ebony, please feel free to reference these tried-and-true practices to
drag out a sermon.
preaching… in fact, short of sharing my testimony a few times, I don’t have any experience preaching. And with the average African church
services running at least four hours long, it can be daunting to get up there
and speak. Luckily for my
squadmates and all future World Racers, I have compiled a list of ways that are
surefire methods to lengthen your sermon to African standards. So next time you’re the only mzungu in
a sea of ebony, please feel free to reference these tried-and-true practices to
drag out a sermon.
1. Flip around the Scriptures a lot and call on people in the audience to read aloud.
2.
Conversely, read the Scriptures out loud
yourself, but be unclear as to where you are stopping, resulting in a confused
translator.
Conversely, read the Scriptures out loud
yourself, but be unclear as to where you are stopping, resulting in a confused
translator.
3.
Really, your translator can be your biggest tool
in lengthening your sermon – use obscure words so that he or she needs to regularly
ask for clarification, i.e., “God’s love is prodigious… oh, sorry, God’s love is elephantine? No? It’s titanic? Ginormous? Okay
fine, God’s love is really big!”
Really, your translator can be your biggest tool
in lengthening your sermon – use obscure words so that he or she needs to regularly
ask for clarification, i.e., “God’s love is prodigious… oh, sorry, God’s love is elephantine? No? It’s titanic? Ginormous? Okay
fine, God’s love is really big!”
4.
Repeat
basic ideas louder and louder and louder as many times as you can. Ex: “Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you! JESUS
LOOOOVES YOUUUU!!!!”
Repeat
basic ideas louder and louder and louder as many times as you can. Ex: “Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you! JESUS
LOOOOVES YOUUUU!!!!”
5.
See
how many times you can shout “Hallelujah!!” in a row. My personal record is nine, so…
See
how many times you can shout “Hallelujah!!” in a row. My personal record is nine, so…
6.
Season
your sermon with an “Amen” every four words or so. Added bonus: Your translator will translate it, doubling the
time it takes to say. “Amen!” “Amina!” “Amen!!” “Amina!!” Works every time.
Season
your sermon with an “Amen” every four words or so. Added bonus: Your translator will translate it, doubling the
time it takes to say. “Amen!” “Amina!” “Amen!!” “Amina!!” Works every time.
7.
Pick
a chapter of the Bible you’ve never studied and simply read through it aloud
[in both English and the local language, c.f. points 1 & 2] and simply make
observations as you go. The more
basic, the better.
Pick
a chapter of the Bible you’ve never studied and simply read through it aloud
[in both English and the local language, c.f. points 1 & 2] and simply make
observations as you go. The more
basic, the better.
8.
Two
words: Psalm 119. Go.
Two
words: Psalm 119. Go.
9.
Take
many, many small sips of water every few minutes. Hey – Africa is hot.
You need to stay hydrated, especially when you’re standing in front of a
crowd…
Take
many, many small sips of water every few minutes. Hey – Africa is hot.
You need to stay hydrated, especially when you’re standing in front of a
crowd…
10. Pause reflectively and stare
around the congregation for minutes at a time. Awkwardness is strictly an American concept/invention, so
trust me – nobody will care.
Records even show that the congregation might burst into spontaneous
worship in the middle of your reflection – bonus points.
around the congregation for minutes at a time. Awkwardness is strictly an American concept/invention, so
trust me – nobody will care.
Records even show that the congregation might burst into spontaneous
worship in the middle of your reflection – bonus points.
Obviously, I’m mostly kidding with this list [emphasis on
“mostly”…]. It has been a really
cool, growing experience to be able to speak to the Church throughout
Africa. At first, I was
hesitant to even call what I do “preaching,” because I secretly felt like that
might be breaking some doctrinal rule that I grew up with – and besides, I’m
not a pastor. I’m young, I’m a
woman, I’m not formally educated in the Bible. I’m walking through all of this stuff myself right now –
what do I have to say about it?
“mostly”…]. It has been a really
cool, growing experience to be able to speak to the Church throughout
Africa. At first, I was
hesitant to even call what I do “preaching,” because I secretly felt like that
might be breaking some doctrinal rule that I grew up with – and besides, I’m
not a pastor. I’m young, I’m a
woman, I’m not formally educated in the Bible. I’m walking through all of this stuff myself right now –
what do I have to say about it?
A lot, as it turns out. You see, I’ve learned something while I’ve been in
Africa. There is a difference
between a pastor and a preacher, in my opinion. To be a “pastor” is to have a job title, whereas to be a
“preacher” is a way of life – and that’s the life that God calls His people
into. In 1 Peter, Peter tells his
readers to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that they have and
Isaiah promises that the Lord’s Word will not return to Him empty, but will
achieve the purpose for which He sent it out. God calls His people a holy nation, a royal priesthood –
what is that to mean, except to go into all nations and make disciples?
Africa. There is a difference
between a pastor and a preacher, in my opinion. To be a “pastor” is to have a job title, whereas to be a
“preacher” is a way of life – and that’s the life that God calls His people
into. In 1 Peter, Peter tells his
readers to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that they have and
Isaiah promises that the Lord’s Word will not return to Him empty, but will
achieve the purpose for which He sent it out. God calls His people a holy nation, a royal priesthood –
what is that to mean, except to go into all nations and make disciples?
Preaching doesn’t need to be some big, scary, mysterious
thing; the more you do it, the easier it gets. So next time you’re in Africa and faced with one of four
hours to fill on a Sunday morning, just take a deep breath, reflect on some
Scriptures, and let the Spirit move… and if all else fails, use a couple of my
handy time-suckers and everything will work out just fine.
thing; the more you do it, the easier it gets. So next time you’re in Africa and faced with one of four
hours to fill on a Sunday morning, just take a deep breath, reflect on some
Scriptures, and let the Spirit move… and if all else fails, use a couple of my
handy time-suckers and everything will work out just fine.
