I have never made New Year resolutions because one can never be wholly sure what life has in store, and so it has always seemed unnecessary to take on obligations which circumstances may prevent you fulfilling.
During 2007 however, I must try to be kinder to the occupants of the pulpit. This may not be easy, for some preachers do not say things that I feel aught to be said and some say things I do not want to hear. Mind you, I have always thought that the preacher should be listening to their inner voice as much as speaking with the outer one.
During my life, many hours have been spent in the Pew, and I have heard much of interest, good logical arguments, and some muddled thinking with the occasional appeal to raw emotion. Through all these sermons, I sit quietly and ideas have passed through my mind that in the words of Gilbert’s Sentry in Iolanthe; “would astonish you.”
I have occupied pews throughout the UK, Africa, America and Europe. I have even worshipped in Yemeni churches but those alas are no more. Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox, Adventist, Quakers, Assemblies of God, Mormon, Methodists, Independents, Jewish Synagogues, all have left their mark on my memory.
Whilst in the USA. I once visited a huge converted cinema on the outskirts of Kansas City. The Minister called himself Brother Robert and had a twice-weekly programme on Missouri Radio. His message was simple and even by American standards he was popular, as he preached twice each Sunday to six thousand people.
The cinema had been renamed ‘Beautiful Calvary Temple,’ and during my visit I witnessed the spiritual gifts of Tongues (Glossalalia) and Healing on an industrial scale. During the three-hour service, hundreds of people passed under the healing hand of the preacher as he placed his right hand on their heads whilst thundering into a microphone held in his left. At the same time, the gyrating choir generated a mass of swirling colours whilst singing and dancing like a professional chorus in a Broadway blockbuster.
I saw people carried in on stretchers who then walked out unaided, and many who on ‘being healed,’ fell to the ground and lay twitching. During one cacophonous half-hour spell all the three thousand strong congregation was on its feet dancing in the aisles. I was quietly worried that Brother Robert would notice that I was still seated and call for me to repent.
In retrospect, I realised that the service was not as benignly chaotic as it appeared, but was structured to achieve the maximum emotional involvement of the congregation. Everyone present was happy to give their mind over to the music, preaching and dancing. Everyone had probably gone with that intent. Everyone that is except me! I need not have feared however, for all ended happily with tremendous acclamation.
I cannot recall such a service in the Benefice but no doubt, some parishioners would find it vibrant, thrilling and fulfilling.
View from the Pew 