I'm experiencing "preacher's block"; you've heard of "writers block", this is similar. I'm currently working on some messages for our next series, beginning in June, from the book of Philippians. I've got the first sermon written but I am struggling with sermon #2 (Philippians 1:12-30).
There are times when I hit a period of time where it is difficult to put the sermon together. I'm not far from God; my devotions are going well, I sense a closeness in my relationship with the Lord, but for some reason the sermon prep just doesn't "click". Fortunately, I plan my messages far enough in advance that I normally am not sweating it come Saturday night before the sermon.
I think in this particular case I just need some uninterrupted time to put the message together. What do you do when you hit a "writers/bloggers/preacher's block"?
I find if you cry you will have a clean mind afterward and feel refreshed and ready to go. Don't fight it man just let it out!
ReplyDeleteP.S. bonus points if you cry in the shower, your extra clean then ;0)
I walk away for a bit and do something else. Then pray, get some coffee, take another look at the passage. It may be that you are just looking at the text from the "wrong side", and just need to walk around the passage a bit. Would you want some thoughts from another pastor to stimulate your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteDrink.
ReplyDeleteJust joking ;o)
Sometimes I look at other people's creations to be inspired for my own. Other times, I realize I'm trying to generate energy towards something, when God just wants me to focus on something else.
And this when we clash ;o)
I always lose.
Thanks for the tips Keym, Nate, and Mike.
ReplyDeleteMike,
I'm open to thoughts that you may have on the passage. It may spark some direction for me. Thanks again.
Especially with message prep, I WAIT. I spend time away from the passage, read other passages, look at what others have said about the passage. A new environment helps as well. Prayer and meditation help too. This is just me, but I often find that I'm making a clear, simple message too complex (that annoying analytical mind of mine!). Sometimes it's just a matter of finding a fresh, creative way to present the same message I've given before
ReplyDeleteI turn on some worship music and worship... I give God some time to speak and then I take a break and walk away if that doesn't work. :) I'll pray that God speaks to you to give you wisdom.
ReplyDeleteKris,
ReplyDeletehere are a few observations from the passage:
12-14-what we see as a negative God turns into a positive, in fact he seems to use our times of defeat to show himself the victor in our lives. He uses our weak times to glorify himself so he will get the glory for what happens (1 Cor. 1-God picks the weak things of the world). I think this result surprised Paul a little, he didn't expect all that God would do while he sat in jail.
15-18-God will use even our enemies to make himself look good, he's in the business of proclaiming Christ and even the enemy will be part of that process.
19-20-it's interesting that God would use our prayers and Christ's provision to take care of Paul. He could do it by himself, why partner with us? And prayer is our part?
What does it look like for Christ to be exalted in our bodies? Paul was in jail when he wrote this. What did he expect to see?
21-the most challenging verse in Paul's writings to me. If I were to ask a group of people, "For YOU-to live is ____? To die is ____? What would they put in the blanks? Paul's "to live" is Christ, what did that look like? and his "to die" is gain, I understand that...but do I believe it? Do I embrace that?
22-26- especially vs. 23- am I hard pressed from both directions? Do I want to leave and stay with equal zeal?
now I have to go over this again...I'm challenged. I'll get to 27-30 later. Wow, I do understand how daunting this is, I'll pray for you. It's a challenge in our American culture to think the way the early church fathers did. They lived with a transcendent view of life- both here and after. It was a holistic view of life that we do not share in our culture. I'll pray for you!
Mike,
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts on these verses! Part of my struggle is I preached verses 21-23 (among other verses)last week for "Gunslingers". The message was on risk and living lives similar to the early church fathers. It was one of the most challenging messages I've ever preached. I'd rather preach on money ;-)
It felt like a wall was up during the entire message (my take) because of the disconect of our culture of 'self' before Christ. Nothing against my congregation; this topic of loving God more than myself is challenging for me personally as well. Since I've preached that sermon so recently, I wanted to come at this passage from another angle (or maybe I'm just afraid ;-).
I'm leaning toward focussing on verses 27-30. I'll be interested to hear some of your thoughts on those verses.
Thanks so much for taking the time to throw some of your thoughts my way. I really appreciate it. It is also very helpfull for me to type out some of what I'm wrestling with. Thanks again.
I just don't blog until the block goes away. But I'm thinking that wouldn't work for your situation at this time... haha
ReplyDeletethoughts on 1:27-30- conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel= standing firm...., with one mind..., striving together..., all of the things he mentions are done as the church (a group of people) function in one spirit for the goal. there's a sense of many working and living as one for the common goal, and that can only be done as we love each other. John 13:34-35, but then in 28-30 he changes the subject a little. now he begins to talk about what it means to be a Christian. We don't experience that here in America, but Paul is clear that Christians will, 2 Tim. 3:12, Acts 14:21-23 and 2 Cor. 4:9-12. We don't go through suffering for our faith so oneness doesn't seem to be as important to us, but when it does come then the oneness of the body of Christ, caring for each other is most important. If you can stand when trials come, then I can too! Phil. 1:12-14. My strength helps others stand up to trials. The oneness of the body doing life together is needed in a culture that is not Christian at all. Then I would head for 1 Cor. 13, the body hymn of the church. I will send you an article one of our ladies wrote that makes this a magnificent passage for your study in this passage. I'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts once again on this passage. Perhaps we could fly you in from Texas to share this with our congregation ;-)
Thank you for taking the time to share your insights with me once again, and for your prayers.
Kris
I am praying for you...and I would love to come and be with you someday.
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