The preacher’s task

I get asked sometimes if I enjoy preaching. I find it a hard question. I know I can’t not preach. And often, when actually preaching, I know that intoxicating experience of utter single-mindedness and control – ‘flow’ as they call it – which is dangerously exhilarating and addictive. Every worthwhile sermon I have ever preached, however, has hurt to write, as I have found that in the text that I wanted so much to avoid, and have been forced to face up to it. And Sangster’s old line, that every preacher sits down every time with disappointment and the hope that ‘next time I shall preach!’ rings true for me. These words probably reflect those two moments of pain more than the ecstatic moment of preaching that comes between.

Read
Revere
Relish

Reflect
Research
Receive

Realise

React
Recoil
Resist
Repress
Reject

Rebel

Retreat
Reassess
Repent
Reform
Return

Recall
Rephrase
Reclothe
Redact

Rehearse
Refresh
Rewrite

Reveal
Recount
Release
Rejoice
Reap

Regret

Rest
Regroup

Repeat.

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