For the uninitiated, FaithPub consists of the potent combination of three things: beer, testosterone and spiritual conversation. Lots of bars feature the first two items, with the latter often focusing on Tom Brady’s latest heroics, that sort of thing. But in this case, FaithPub is a men’s group ministry of our church that meets at a pub to fellowship, drink a beer (or root beer), and hear a testimony by a guest speaker.

Glen Miles invited me a long time ago, but it was after he announced his departure, that I got to come and speak. In my case, I was to tell my story and say something about my hopes for the preaching ministry at Country Club Christian Church. I thought, then, I might share here those hopes with all of you, two broad goals as it turns out.

The first is practical in nature, namely how hearing a different voice prepares a congregation for the next Senior Minister. And by “voice,” I don’t just mean that literally. “Voice” includes a preacher’s style of sermons, use of a manuscript or not, as well as differences between sermon series and following a lectionary. In that latter case, for the next few months, I’m loosely following The Narrative Lectionary, specifically Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem found in Luke’s Gospel. The next Senior Minister will be different from me, just as I am different from Glen.

The second goal is more spiritual in nature. I think of the goal of preaching in general as fostering an encounter with God. When preaching works, more takes place than words being spoken and heard; people are encountered by the Holy One. In the Old Testament, the term “word” can also be translated “deed.” Something happens in the preaching moment. For me, that encounter with the Divine is a mix of exposition and experience, or teaching and touching. As I see it, the best preaching provides congregants with something to reflect upon and inspires as well, usually by means of compelling stories.

There is one other element to good preaching, one often overlooked: a good congregation. The people in the pews do not constitute a passive audience, but they participate in the preaching of the gospel themselves. At the risk of appearing to be kissing up, I have to say, I have always thought of our congregation as really good listeners. And for that, all I can say is, “Thanks be to God.”