Trying to Be Creative
by felixruina on July 25, 2008
I've been working on this sermon for what feels like weeks. Kind of because I have been. Except that I took all last week off.
I knew from the beginning, when St. Mark's asked me to preach, that I would have to talk about my time in Japan. St. Mark's and Praise were the two churches that did the most to sponsor me...and I had a lot of personal support from family friends at St. Mark's who sent me letters and email and care packages while in Japan. When I requested children's books, they came through in epic form. I think I had over 100 by the time they were done...and I really only needed 10 or so. :)
So, yeah...St. Mark's needs to hear what they helped with.
The problem is, I find it difficult to really talk about my time in Japan. Not because it was bad, or that I don't want to talk about it--more because I don't really have any epic, life-changing stories that one comes to expect from missionary experiences.
So how do I write a sermon about my time in Japan, when I don't really have a lot to say? I gave a talk about the generalities of Japanese Christianity to my parents' Sunday School class just after returning. And that went well. People seemed really interested in it. But that won't really work for a sermon.
A couple of weeks ago, I preached at St. Paul's in Boise City, and I did a kind of "rough draft" missions sermon for them that I hoped I could adjust and reuse for this occasion. Unfortunately, I was never very happy with how that sermon came out. And it didn't go over all that well at St. Paul's. Again, it didn't go over badly...I just don't think people really understood it, or they didn't feel like it was a pressing issue in their lives. That...and I just had a hard time figuring out what I was trying to say.
And that's the problem I'm having. I want to say something. I've been asked to say something. I just don't know what that something is. But this is part of the job--when there is no time to wait for creativity to just flow, and you just have to force it. And very few things hurt worse than forcing your own creativity.
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Comments
I actually really liked that
I actually really liked that Mission Sermon haha. But I think that mentioning what you personally took out of it (feeling towards missions, goals for future missions based on what you learned, anything you want to say) is more personal - and more interesting than anecdotes that may have no meaning to those you are ministering to. In addition, it fits in well with the "if God can use me, he can certainly use you" mood of your already written Mission Sermon. Afterall, the things you took out of this mission trip, even in the most subtle ways, are the most important things - the true "life-changing" things.
In addition, you could tell them how their donations benefitted God's work... It's kind of a thank-you, but it's always nice to hear in what ways you helped in God's plan. Once again, it adds on to "if God can use me, he can certainly use you," and he has. Like you said, "You may not be called to spread the good news of God's love in Japan, or Africa, or South America," you may want to try telling them about their contributions to you, and how this helped spread the good news - by supporting you by going on this mission trip.
This probably isn't the "something" you were hoping for - but I hope it helps.
Thanks, D. This actually
Thanks, D. This actually helps a lot.
I agree with the note from
I agree with the note from the fellow above me. The mission sermons that mean the most to me are the ones that inspire me to make some sort of difference, even if its in my daily life.
Oh, and slide shows of places in the world I've never been, people helping people really get me every time.
Good luck! I hate it when I have to write something that feels grueling and forced.
Speaking of writing, How is Elixer going?
Well, I ended up putting some
Well, I ended up putting some pictures on a piece of poster board. Not really a slide show, but at least it let people see some faces. :-)
Elixir has been on hold...but starting tomorrow it will be going great guns! Check it out: First Annual Writing Sabbatical. If you have the time, it would be great if you could drop by the site sometime during the week and leave some comments or even post some of your work. Though, I know you're pretty busy right now, so don't worry about it if you can't.
Rest assured, though, Elixir is being worked on!
How did it go?
How did it go?
It went pretty well. I went
It went pretty well. I went off-manuscript in a few parts, and I think that helped a bit. Everyone was really nice afterwards, and complimented me a lot, so it couldn't have been too bad. ;-)
I'll be posting the sermon up pretty soon. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to record the audio like I usually do, so there will just be the manuscript.
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