12 • resources

Was Eutychus ahead of his time?

richard LittLedaLe

faith matters

EVERY TIME I read the story of Eutychus in Acts chapter 20, I find myself faced with a dilemma. With whom should my sympathies lie? Should they lie with Eutychus, who clearly had a traumatic experience, or should they lie with Paul, whose sermon was ruined by somebody falling asleep? The text tells us that Paul ‘talked on and on’, so perhaps Paul deserved the reaction he got! After all, as preachers our listeners graciously lend us their attention, and we should not presume to hold onto it for too long. To date I have never met a preacher who actually went through a ‘Eutychus moment’, although a lay preacher once confessed to me that a cow fell through the roof of a small Derbyshire church whilst he was preaching. Some of you who listen to sermons week in, week out may feel that it is only a matter of time... In my travels as a tutor for the College of Preachers, it strikes me again and again that boredom in preaching is

a serious threat to the health of the Christian church. Eutychuses by the dozen are lining up in the churches, if not by the window, then at least near the exit door for a swift getaway as soon as they reasonably can. Many times the sermon is seen as a necessary evil – a thing to be endured rather than enjoyed. It is less exciting than the worship, less vital than the notices and less refreshing than the post‐service tea or coffee. If the book 101 Things to do during a Dull Sermon looks a little dated now, it is only because we have thought of another few hundred things to do since it was published. However, it’s not just the listeners who are bored – but the preachers too. For every ten people bored in front of a pulpit, there is another one bored behind it. Many of the preachers I meet are prayerful, hard working and exemplary in their commitment to their congregations. They want nothing more than to connect with their congregations on a Sunday through preaching

which is vital and captivating. And yet the experience of preaching leaves them feeling drained and dissatisfied. As Mike Graves puts it in his wonderful book The Fully Alive Preacher: ‘If preaching is intended to enliven the church, why is it killing so many ministers?’ There are many answers to Mike’s question, some of which we shall look at in subsequent weeks. However, on this occasion we need to banish some preaching demons. They lurk in the study, they sulk in vestry and they cackle in the pulpit. Like most demons, it reduces their power if you name them. Like all demons, they are no match for the power of Jesus. The first of them passes himself off as spiritual depression, but in fact he’s just plain fatigue. By the time many preachers ascend to pulpit or lectern, they have chaired committees, visited youth groups, held the hands of the dying and extinguished the flames of church discord. Is it any wonder their preaching does not fill them with joy? Some preachers are bored of preaching because they’ve had enough of serving. It might be worth lightening the load in other places if the pulpit is to become a place of light and joy again. Our next demon is an old and hackneyed rascal, and goes by the name of ‘you‐can’t‐do‐ it’. His job may be made easier

THE BapTisT TimEs Thursday, January 10, 2008

Picture:The Brick Test am ent

Uninspired - Teachers and preachers must heed the story of Eutychus who fell asleep and out of the window while Paul was preaching

by the many things outside the church competing for the listeners’ attention. However, at heart he is familiar to every Christian servant in every ministry, and is not unique to preaching. He is best dismissed by acknowledging completely the truth of what he says. ‘You’re right’, we say, ‘we can’t do it. Of ourselves we have nothing useful or life‐changing to say. That is why we rely on God to help us’. If a preacher is bored because he or she feels that preaching is an uphill struggle, it is up to the rest of us to remind that preacher that we face this one together. Our last demon is probably more familiar to students than

preachers. He taps on your door and snaps round your ankles and constantly says ‘Leave that, let’s go and play’. With students and preachers alike the result is the same – the books are left unread and the study doesn’t get done. Over time a preacher who does not study ends up using their own resources, and depleting them week by week – like a polar explorer living off their own reserves of fat. In the end, both body and mind wilt under the strain. If your preaching no longer captures your own imagination, (let alone anyone else’s) ask how long it is since you fed your mind.

Preaching is intended to create a sacred space, crackling with energy and creativity, where God and his people can meet each other. If it has turned instead into a dull corner hung with cobwebs, at least we know that God wants to do something about it. The first step is to invite his troublesome and endlessly creative Spirit in to stir things up. After that, anything’s possible.

The Revd Richard Littledale is pastor of Teddington Baptist Church, Middlesex. He is the author of Stale Bread? Refreshing the Preaching Ministry

words for worship

A prayer of preparation

Lord God, whether we have rushed or taken our time in coming to church, we have come ill-prepared. You have invited us to meet with you; you have created space for time together that will affect all the other moments of the week.

You have called us to take time to recall your love and mercy. Yet we have come in heedlessly as if we were going shopping. We may even have lists in our minds of things we want you to sort out: of feelings and emotions that we want to gain

and which will last us without too much effort. We have not prepared ourselves to worship. Stop us now, and help us, Help us face you today, to receive what you want to give and wonder at your love. Gathering for Worship, BUGB

prayer focus • BMs worLd Mission

The team that’s encouraging Angolan women

FIVE female Baptist church leaders from the UK are in Angola, taking part in BMS World Mission’s firstever team of ministers. The BMS Angola Women’s Ministry Team flew out on December 28 for over two weeks of mission amongst women, in partnership with the Evangelical Baptist Church of Angola, IEBA. During the fortnight, the team are based in the capital, Luanda, and in Uige, a province of northern Angola. The main aim of the team is to affirm and value women’s contribution to church and community in Angola. Each team member has an opportunity to preach, lead a Bible study or women’s meeting and collectively be involved in theological reflection. The team leader is Jane Ledingham, from Gildersome Baptist Church, Leeds, who was previously a BMS volunteer in D R Congo in 2004. She says, ‘We will be giving space to hear what God is saying about our own ministry in the UK and sharing

experiences with the women in Angola’. Mary Parsons, a BMS health worker in the country, agrees that the time will be a two-way blessing as the team look at and study scripture together with the Angolan women and share a little of what life is like for them. The team asks for prayer for a number of things: for safety in all travel and practical arrangements; for wisdom in all decisions; that the team would be culturally sensitive to the Angolans’ needs and be an encouragement to the women of Angola; and that the overseas experience might shape UK ministry when the team return to their own churches. Mary also asks that we remember those who the team will be working with, including IEBA general secretary the Revd Rui Garcia Nafilo and Mama Lussinga Elizabeth, IEBA women’s department secretary. In addition to Jane, the team consists of: the Revd Jenni Entrican (Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church & Jacob’s

Well, Bristol); the Revd Jennifer Few (Robert Hall Memorial Baptist Church, Leicester); Rev Glenda Down (Moortown Baptist Church, Leeds) and the Revd Jane Webb (Hill Street Baptist Church, Swadlincote). The team returns to the UK next Tuesday (15 January). Each year, BMS sends dozens of people of all ages and experiences on a wide variety of teams, including those with professional legal and medical qualifications. Nine Action Teams – BMS’ student gap year programme – are currently around the world; selection events for next year’s teams are being held in the coming weeks. BMS is seeking people to join summer teams for this year, and Baptist ministers for a team to Kolkata in November. For more details, e-mail opportunities@ bmsworldmission.org

For further prayer requests, daily prayer points and country focuses, go to the BMS website at: www. bmsworldmission.org/prayer

what’s on

Sunday January 20 at 6.30pm. All Souls Orchestra All Souls Orchestra meets to accompany the worship service at All Souls Church, London. Go to www.allsoulsorchestra.org or call: 020 7935 7246.

February 1, London Soweto Gospel Choir The Grammy Award‐winning choir begins its tour of 26 UK cities. Its wide repetoire of Gospel songs and hymns provide an exhilarating experience of praise. For further information call Cameron Duncan: 07971 572550, or email: cam@cameronduncan.co.uk

February 4-6, Swanwick College of Preachers Conference A conference exploring the relationship between preaching and popular culture which will be held at The Hayes. It includes comic Milton Jones speaking on ‘stand up preaching’. For more information contact Paul Johns: 07973 814 870.

Saturday, February 9 from 7:30pm-10pm Prom Praise Eastbourne Long‐awaited return to the South Coast, with guest Stuart Townend, at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne Go to www.allsoulsorchestra.org for details. Tickets on 01323 412000 or at www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.

February 19 - 21, Warwick DEEPER ‘08 - Spirit Empowered Living A time of in‐depth bible study over three consecutive evenings at Castle Hill Baptist Church, Warwick. Led by Dr Steve Brady (principal of Moorlands Bible College and regular Keswick Conference speaker). More details from www.warwickbaptists.org.uk/deeper.

February 26, London Money well spent A national conference for leaders of faith‐based organisations to help them engage with government funding opportunities, hosted by Faithaction. To be held at Westminster Central Hall. Book at www.faithaction.net/conference or 08456 528 900.
THE BAPTIST TIMES Thursday, January 10, 2008

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