ruts...

Let me say it before anyone else does... I'm in a rut when it comes to preaching. Rut, rut, rut...
So frustrating.

When I started, 2 1/2 years ago, at this "teaching pastor" thing, doing it week in and week out- I had a lot to say. Now I've said it. And said it. And said it.
And you know, if I was writing this a year from now, I might have some good advice for you, should you ever find yourself in the same situation. As it is, I can only tell you what I hope to do to get out of this rut- maybe you have some suggestions for me in the comments?

*Read something different- Someone different, someone outside my normal tracks. I need to jumpstart my brain onto a different track. I've been reading too much of the same stuff for the last 3 or 4 years... I've never read Eugene Peterson or Walter Brueggemann- maybe I'll start there.

*Listen to something different- I enjoy certain podcasts... time for me to intentionally find some other voices with some other styles. Right now it's Driscoll and Piper and McManus with the occasional Rob Bell thrown in for spice. Who else, who else???

*Change my sermon prep methods- I feel like when I was at my best, more of my sermon prep took place earlier in the week... and that gave me time to marinate. I've gotten into the bad, bad habit of doing the majority of my sermon prep on Thursday and Friday... Okay... Friday.
I need to get back to doing more on Tuesday and sitting on it, mulling it over, meditating on it the rest of the week. More time, more meditation= better thoughts and sermons.
Also, this will help me on Sunday to know my sermon. Aside from feeling WAY too tied to manuscript these days, I have this recurring dream lately- I'm about ready to get up in front of the community, and I've forgotten to print off my sermon. I draw a complete blank as to what to say...
I love manuscripting and the feeling of knowing what I'm going to say... I hate the feeling of not knowing what I would say if I lost those stupid pieces of paper. I need to change that.

*Preach less- Last year, I did 75% of the teaching at evergreen. This year, as I have it mapped out, I'll be doing 66%

*Pray more- I really, really mean this one. I've been getting more and more convicted over the past few weeks of the time I spend in prayer not just for our community in general, but for time teaching and leading it.
Oh God, please... I'm dependent on You to give me something worth saying.

Comments

[brian]

Read something different...
"A Better Way" Michael S. Horton
"Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture" G. Goldsworthy
"The Coming of the Kingdom" OR "Paul: An Outline of His Theology" H. Ridderbos

Listen to something different...
Sermons here, or here

As far as prepping earlier in the week, and praying more - fantastic.

[JayPerry]

I don't know how far you plan your sermon series out in advance, but I find that planning out a year in advance keeps me from falling back on my easy or pet topics.

I throw some challenging things into the upcoming year and give myself several months to research and marinate by the time the actual sermons need to be written.

Here's my stuff on planning a sermonic year:
http://jugglingsheep.blogspot.com/search/label/Sermon%20Planning

J

[djp72]

brave post man,
appreciate the honesty!
as far as podcasts go that will challenge you- maybe check out www.thegodjourney.com or do a search in iTunes.
i love these guys.
it's best if you download the first few podcasts first before starting into the latest ones...

[Joel & Tessi]

Hey there. Happened to run across your blog - you seem to be a very up-on-technology type of pastor. I'm not sure how open you are to really "listening to something different," but if you've never heard of them, Steve and Bill from Our Life in Christ have tons of great podcasts on Orthodox Christianity. I'd recommend the series on Forming an Orthodox Worldview - it's excellent.

Anywhoo, just thought I'd say my piece here. Nice blog. :)