Hermeneutic: May 2008

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The Sermon Process

The Sermon Process
Over the years my process of developing a sermon has evolved. What I describe below is the process that I am currently using. I am a visual learner and I believe you will see how this plays out in the process below.

Step 1
Read the lectionary texts. Pray over them. Decide which texts I will use.

Step 2
Read and Study: articles, commentaries, etc. See textweek.com for ideas.
Take notes on major ideas as they pop up. (Occasionally, I might write out something resembling an exegesis paper.)

Step 3
Using paper (cut to about 4x4) jot down ideas as they come, one idea per piece of paper. (Steps 3, 4, and 5 are relatively new to my process.)

Step 4
Arrange and rearrange the pieces of paper. Throw out those that don't fit, or aren't useful. Add others as the ideas come.

Step 5
Type out the ideas in the selected order. Review the sheet and select appropriate headings.

Step 6
Prepare a second draft of the paper with final headings.
This will become the basic document for the sermon at the traditional services and the contemporary service.

Step 7
Consider slides for each heading or group of headings.
Look up artwork for the slides.

Step 8
Prepare the slides. Send to media team.

Step 9
Finalize the sermon
How will the sermon work without the slides? (Remember the traditional services).

Step 10
Prepare notes for the slides (if time) to make it easier for the media team at the contemporary service.

Note: I try to have all of this done by Thursday! Today is Tuesday and I am on Step 7 of this week's process.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

Here are the slides for the sermon.

Here is the audio of the sermon.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Instructions for Lectors (Scripture Readers)

These notes have been adopted from another source (~~sorry that I have lost the reference~~. I found the original source here). Please review these instructions carefully and put them to use. God bless you for taking part in this wonderful ministry!

Please practice the readings out loud with a parent. Read the text out loud. Let me say it again - read the text out loud. It really makes a difference. If you are unsure of a word, email me (apswartz[at]gmail[dot]com) or ask me on Facebook.
Take your time in reading. No matter how slow you may think you are reading, you cannot read too slowly (trust me).
Allow adequate pausing between prayers and readings, etc. - don't rush. A pause between sentences - and especially a paragraph - are perfectly natural. Not pausing sounds rushed and unnatural.
Speak Clearly. Good diction and enunciation is important, especially for those who have difficulty hearing. Often people complain about the volume of reading, but in reality it is the lack of clarity in the voice of the speaker.
Using Microphones. Practice using the microphone before worship time. Have someone test you for volume. Be loud enough, but do not blast the congregation. It is better to be a bit too loud than too quiet. Remember that some folks have hearing difficulties. REMEMBER to adjust the microphone so that it is pointed towards your mouth.
Be Expressive. Be expressive with the tone and mood of the text. Let the text guide you for the tone. If you have prepared then you will have some sense of the tone of the text. Monotone speaking will create boring readings. Worship should be lively and that begins with lively readings. A note of caution to the overly expressive! Too exuberant reading can take the focus off the scripture and put it on the theatrics of the reader. Scripture is the focus not the reader.
Decorum. Since the focus should be on Scripture, readers clothing should not be excessively flamboyant nor too casual. If people are shocked, distracted, or disturbed by what we are wearing, then this will be a distraction from the reading of Scripture. Readers should be humble enough to dress appropriately for reading.
Mistakes are Okay! Since we are not God, we are not perfect. If a mistake is made, stop and reread the verse. It is not necessary to say “Sorry” or “Excuse Me.” Continue reading with confidence, knowing that God expects faithful worship, not perfect worship. Faithfulness will include mistakes at times. If you accept that it is OK to make mistakes, this will lessen one’s nervousness.