A Reasonable Alternative

Back in the mid-90’s I was dean of a divinity school at a Baptist college near where I live. When I became dean, I led the faculty through a thorough revision of the curriculum in an attempt to try to make theological education more germane to what students actually do in the parish once they get there. I had spent considerable time as a pastor before becoming a divinity dean, and I was determined not to repeat the mistakes I had witnessed in my own experience with theological education. Chief among them was the complaint I heard from numerous students who, in one way or another, commented on their seminary experience with the indictment: “I had entirely too many professors trying to tell me how to be a pastor who had never spent even one day as a pastor themselves.” Can you imagine being in medical school and being taught by professors who had never actually practiced medicine?

Glimpses of Glory: Using the Cinema in Preaching

Imagine that it’s 11:40 A.M. Sunday morning, and you’re working hard in the sermon to help your audience understand the difficult and often painful work involved in being forgiven. “Forgiveness is hard,” you say, “because hovering over the broken relationship like a vulture are those deeds done you cannot undo, and those opportunities lost that can never be recaptured.” You made the point clearly and concisely, but in the minds and hearts of the audience, it is still just a “point,” not an experience. Then again, you could tell them a story…