Recently I preached when the youth took over our two morning services at church. Pulling together a bunch of teenagers and leaders proved tricky but speaking back in ‘big church’ was lots of fun! I love the setting of local church, Sunday morning and I love the style of expository, casual, relational preaching. I enjoyed myself and, at the risk of sounding cheesy, I thought I’d share more of my ‘loves’ from that day.
I loved using illustrations that have widespread appeal and relevance. Turns out everyone identifies with rainbows and traffic jams, and sometimes experiencing them on the same day.
I loved integrating my youth into the message by talking to them and about them, in their presence.
I loved hearing one of them share a short talk over communion; I sense a koru fern unfurling and potential beginning to be recognised, if I can borrow a metaphor from one who saw the same in me!
I loved having a couple of youth stand up next to me and give testimonies to their time at Easter Camp and their initiatives for the future in our youth ministry.
I loved feeling like a proud mum while doing this!
I loved reading from ‘The Jesus Storybook Bible’. This resource is just so good for how ‘every story whispers his name’ and even the adults enjoy it!
I loved exegeting the Word of God and seeing His power become real and tangible among people I serve and am served by.
I loved how the organisational nightmare came together just fine on the day; why did I spend so much energy stressing?
I loved preaching twice, back to back, and repeating the same joke only to get a different response!
I loved hearing how people were surprised to enjoy a youth service so much!
I loved the morning tea afterwards; does anything beat homemade baking? Probably not.
I continue to lead my youth service each week and that continues to test and encourage my thinking and teaching style. But I look forward to these chances to preach in the morning service and am grateful for the opportunities. What do you continue to love about preaching?
* * *
Laura Giddey is youth and young adults pastor at Shore Community Church (in Albany), and makes excellent brownies
Great post, Laura. Preaching is a challenging business and we full-time pastors can get a bit whingy about it (or I can!) sometimes.
I love how the Holy Spirit takes what I’ve prepared and turns it to other purposes, so some people are impacted by things I didn’t particularly intend to emphasise.
I love seeing how preaching actually changes people’s lives.
I love preaching among friends and family.
And I love seeing preachers in my congregation develop and grow and master the art of preaching in Aotearoa.
Thanks for the encouragement!