SERMON SLIP

Saturday, August 15, 2009

(I often quote from other sources and make it as clear as I can that the thoughts are not original with me or not my own experience. Regardless, there are always a few readers who misunderstand and think that I wrote the article or that I am talking about myself. PLEASE understand the preacher in the following story is NOT ME! The story teller is William Willimon, Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University and the story is from his book, The Last Word)

A deep, irrational fear grips every preacher--the fear of inadvertently saying something inappropriate, tasteless, suggestive, or just plain stupid while preaching.

There is no way to get out of the sermonic sermon slip, no matter how hard you try. You can't go back and explain. It is best to have the congregation immediately stand for the benediction.

I was preaching in a large auditorium in the West. Jet lag had taken its toll--at least that's the best excuse I can find. The person who introduced me had told the crowd of students that I was a great preacher, much in demand, interesting, controversial, and expensive. The pressure was on.

I launched into my sermon, a simple piece unworthy of such an extravagant introduction. "When the sermon is weak, say it louder," somebody once told me. So I was loud, emotional, passionate.
"And what is the most significant event our faith has to offer?" I asked. "The erection!" I bellowed.

Someone in the front row screamed.

"I mean the resurrection!" I said the correct word at least twelve more times. It didn't seem to do any good. Church was out."