Some free-associating this afternoon called to mind a candidate for ministry who was to fill our pulpit some years ago. He was interested in employing certain theological categories and asked whether he could simply refer to them by name, or would have to explain them. From my experience, he wasn't alone: any number of pastors, particularly in their home congregations, can get into fairly technical weeds, the understanding of which would require some advance study. It may be that these men have particularly well-trained members, but I wonder.
It seems to me that in any congregation, at least any congregation with hope of surviving many years, there will always be the ignorant and unlearned. I speak, of course, of children. The presence of children, if nothing else, should compel preachers to use as simple and vivid language as possible, and to explain theological terms and ideas even if they are extraordinarily common. How else will all those erudite and learned pastors get well-trained members who they can lead through the theological weeds?
No comments:
Post a Comment