Today was my first official Sunday, on the chancel at my new church. I attended the early service, the later service, and the afternoon service at a local assisted living home. There, I mostly observed because I will be leading that service there next month. Next week, I will preach for the first time to the congregation.
I don't think you could possibly find two people with more different preaching styles than me and the senior pastor. He has his sermon in his head. He never writes anything down, not even an outline, as far as I can tell. Today he did three different versions of the sermon in his head, and each version came out somewhat different. It is remarkable the way he just speaks extemporaneously. I would say that he is very gifted in that way. In fact, today's scripture was about how we all have different gifts. My gift, which I believe God claimed to be used in service to the church, is writing. As a writer, I always have a written sermon. I spend a lot of time preparing and polishing the written word. In delivery, I glance at it from time to time, and surely do not have every word committed to memory.
Perhaps my style will be a new experience for the congregation. I hope it will be well received. I trust it will be.
I also imagine that this particular combination of pastoral gifts is the work of the Spirit, given for the common good.
May it be to the benefit of all!
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