Posted by rayww on September 18, 2008, at 8:17:34
In reply to Re: Feeling out of place again in church » rayww, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2008, at 22:06:33
> I'm sure you're right. When you're raised in two different religions, and each claims to be divinely inspired and true, it's kind of natural to recognize that both of them can't be and to go off on a search for truth.
>
> I've had that experience with my former pastor's sermons. I figured that God wouldn't make sure he preached a sermon that fit the issues I'd been experiencing, so it must be that He was priming the pump for me during the week so that I'd be open to that Sunday's sermons.
>
> That pastor retired a few years ago. I haven't had a similar experience with anyone since then.Maybe your new pastor is preaching a canned sermon, rather than his own. There is something about preaching from the heart, that connects with those listening.
In SS class, there is so much information on the Internet, and it is very interesting, (http://beardall2000.com/gospdoct.shtml) but when a teacher gets up and pretty much reads it word for word, something is lost. SS isn't so much about being informative, as it is about being real. I don't attend Sunday School right now, because I teach primary, but I know that as a teacher, unless I can personalize the lessons, those dozen 10 year olds cramped up in that tiny room will be bouncing off the walls, literally. From a listener and a teacher perspective, it is exactly the same. You can't preach a canned sermon (one that was prepared by someone else) and expect to be in sync with your environment. But if you ever do hit it, I think you should capitalize on the moment quickly before it passes. ( Don't squelch the spirit.) If you can open up a good discussion with a comment that relates to the lesson, go for it Dinah.
Please don't think I'm being critical of Mr. Beardal. I love studying what he puts on the Internet. I think he has a lot of understanding and background. I'm a bit critical of a teacher who prints off his lesson, then gives it as her own. I don't know if this relates to what you have experienced.
poster:rayww
thread:852253
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080809/msgs/852621.html