My Three Preaching Resolutions for 2020
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash
I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. January 1st has always felt like an arbitrary date to begin the things I know I need to do.
However, three goals of mine happen to coincide with January 1st as the start date. Perhaps these goals—or resolutions—will inspire you and your preaching.
Happy New Year!
Resolution #1: Get my affairs in order
As I write this post, I’m at my dad’s house in Minnesota. He died this past October, so this week my brothers and I are gathered to scatter his ashes and take care of his belongings and house.
As the executor of his estate, I will be forever grateful that Dad laid everything out I need to do. He was meticulous in his records, updating them regularly. In fact, his last update was just two weeks before he died unexpectedly after falling at home.
Here are the types of records he left for me:
All account numbers, passwords, phone numbers, and contact names
Suggestions about how to sell the house
Tax information, including itemization for filing his 2019 return
Computer passwords
Directions on where to find all of the above!
He spared me incalculable hours and frustration by creating not only a paper trail, but the map I need to follow it.
His records feel like his final gift of love and respect for me.
Now I want to follow my dad’s example and treat our executor with just as much love and respect.
Though my husband and I already have wills and medical directives, we have not yet put together a comprehensive list of accounts, etc., for our executor. I resolve to change that this year.
For preaching I suggest that in addition to messages about the inevitability of death and the need for wills and medical directives, don’t leave out the executors. Preach the need to make the job as easy as possible for them.
Resolution #2: Preach “politically” in 2020
Brian McClaren had an interesting blog post last week suggesting resolutions for preachers in 2020. One that stood out to me is the idea of preaching “politically” in 2020. I commend his suggestion for your consideration. He writes:
You may be wondering, “How do I get political in a constructive way as opposed to a destructive way?” I’d recommend you speak frequently about the biggest problems we face as a species – the 5 P’s if you will…
He goes on to define the 5 P’s: the planet, poverty, peace, political corruption, and all people, sharing this reason for venturing into difficult territory:
Almost every Bible story addresses these issues. Once you start noticing these themes in the biblical text, you’ll wonder how so many people miss them, or avoid them. I’m recommending that you join the growing number of leaders who are seeing the political dimension of genuine spirituality and the revolutionary nature of divine love — and who are speaking up about it.
How do Brian’s preaching resolutions resonate with you?
Is this a resolution you might take on this year?
Resolution #3: Align my calendar with my call
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about schedules, habits, values, and discerning one’s priorities.
As someone whose calendar too often overflows with to-dos, I find it difficult to accept these two things:
The “darlings” on our calendars have to be cut as diligently as the “darlings” in our sermon drafts.
There is no such thing as getting caught up, being caught up, or staying caught up. There is always another task, responsibility, or demand for our attention.
But this year, I resolve to accept these truths anyway. Or at least live with them.
I have to, for the sake of my spirit and sanity.
Until there are no more poor, oppressed, or lonely in the world because Jesus is back walking the planet, our to-do lists on his behalf can feel infinite.
But that doesn’t mean we are infinite.
Remember this saying? “God is God and we are not.”
Translation: We humans are finite. Our time is finite. Our physical, mental, and spiritual energy are finite. And our schedules, therefore, are also finite.
Our finitude came first. At Creation.
Jesus, in human form, was also finite.
Ergo, finitude wins.
What does this mean for you? Your time? Your calendar?
This means identifying the good works God prepared in advance for you (Ephesians 2:10), and allowing others to do what was prepared for them.