A lovely service in Paarl - what I miss about preaching
Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:27PM 
This morning, however, I preached at the Paarl Methodist Church at the invitation of my friend Angus Kelly - see http://www.gruntle.co.za it was fantastic to be there! I left Somerset West in the dark, and arrived in Paarl in the heave Cape rain! But, it was wonderful! Angus and Heather are blessed with a wonderful congreagation who are hoapitable, welcoming, involved in their Church, and wonderful to worship with.
I realised just how much I miss regular preaching (like I used to do at Bryanston Methodist Church most weeks). I am over the 'numbers' thing. I have served in enough large Churches to know that it is not the size of the congregation that counts, but their sincerity and love for our Lord. Bryanston was blessed with both (numbers and sincere love).
Sure I have been preaching and speaking somewhere every week in the last 3 months... But, there is someting very special about jouneying with a group of people that you know and love. At Bryanston I would think of the people I know, those whom I had visited in their homes (and even some in their places of work), seen in hospital, prayed with, and sought God's direction, help, and wisdom for - that 'Pastoral' background made the messages so much more meaningful. There is a depth to the Gospel that comes to the fore when it is birthed in a real world pastoral context.
That's what I miss... Getting to know people, and searching for God's words of challenge and encouragement for their lives (and mine)... There was an intensity and a depth to my preparation, I longed to hear what God would have me say to them, and then I would enjoy weaving together words and concepts, parables and pictures that would inspire, encourage, challenge, and even rebuke.
I miss that weekly discipline!
Reader Comments (1)
Looks like a wonderful church... www.paarlmethodist.blogspot.com
Thanks for filling in for us my brother - they loved having you.
Gus