Comments on: Not what I thought I said. http://wanderingphoenix.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/not-what-i-thought-i-said/ Seeking the face of God in any circumstance, a seminarian's journey in the world Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:35:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Don Wallick http://wanderingphoenix.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/not-what-i-thought-i-said/#comment-135 Don Wallick Thu, 14 May 2009 18:58:12 +0000 http://wanderingphoenix.wordpress.com/?p=515#comment-135 Julia - It was either Buttrick or Craddock who said that what happens between the preacher's mouth and the parishioner's ear is called "The Holy Spirit." I have so often had the experience of having folks repeat back to me what they heard and thanking me for it - even though it bears no resemblance to the words I wrote. It's kind of a corollary to another rule: The times I'm not sure I have much to say, I get the most positive feedback and the times I'm sure I've got something great to say in a sermon, I'm met mostly with: "meh." :-) Julia – It was either Buttrick or Craddock who said that what happens between the preacher’s mouth and the parishioner’s ear is called “The Holy Spirit.”

I have so often had the experience of having folks repeat back to me what they heard and thanking me for it – even though it bears no resemblance to the words I wrote.

It’s kind of a corollary to another rule: The times I’m not sure I have much to say, I get the most positive feedback and the times I’m sure I’ve got something great to say in a sermon, I’m met mostly with: “meh.”

:-)

]]> By: nancydayachauer http://wanderingphoenix.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/not-what-i-thought-i-said/#comment-134 nancydayachauer Thu, 07 May 2009 19:31:06 +0000 http://wanderingphoenix.wordpress.com/?p=515#comment-134 It is always amazing how parishioners hear different things from the same sermon. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit enables people to connect on different levels otherwise a lot of sermons would fall on deaf ears. I find that I can deal with the "different hearings" of my sermons better than I can the "different hearings" of my conversations with individuals. How many times have I told my husband that he clearly wasn't listening to me because he totally didn't get my point. This communication stuff is hard work and it's important work. I'm so much better at it than I used to be and yet I fear I'm still not as good at it as I need to be. I guess I can at least be glad that I don't have to suffer the burden of being perfect! It is always amazing how parishioners hear different things from the same sermon. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit enables people to connect on different levels otherwise a lot of sermons would fall on deaf ears.

I find that I can deal with the “different hearings” of my sermons better than I can the “different hearings” of my conversations with individuals. How many times have I told my husband that he clearly wasn’t listening to me because he totally didn’t get my point. This communication stuff is hard work and it’s important work. I’m so much better at it than I used to be and yet I fear I’m still not as good at it as I need to be. I guess I can at least be glad that I don’t have to suffer the burden of being perfect!

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