Apprentice

I preached yesterday at Greystones Presbyterian Church and afterwards we had tea and coffee in the hall. A friend asked me over a cup of tea if it (preaching) gets any easier. I had to answer no. I don’t think it ever gets any easier. If anything it gets harder for some sermons. Hopefully more experience means I get better at preaching. I become more comfortable with public speaking. I become better at research, and interpretation. I develop systems and patterns that I can follow to help me develop and manage my thoughts. I build up a series of stories or illustrations to communicate those thoughts better. I learn to project my voice and become more confident. But preaching never gets easier. Each sermon demands that I stretch myself, and if my skills increase then I must increase the level I stretched to. A love for God and His word demands that I stretch myself. On top of that I really enjoy and am still fascinated by the Bible, so to take it easy would only spoil my fun.