“Mainline Protestantism seems to be suffering from a failure of theological nerve. Our trumpets suffer from our uncertain sound. The bland leading the bland.Courage to speak arises, in great part, from the conviction that God has given us something to say.”

A brief quote from the Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church – William H. Willimon

I could not agree more. I have been visiting church after church lately – listening to different preachers – all who seem nervous to make the point which needs to be said.

I have had a pastor tell me – Glenn – you should be an evangelist. You don’t care who hears the message… I am nervous as this is a new charge for me – shaking the boat here is rough…

I am so happy to have you come here – and speak the Message of salvation.

I wanted to scream – instead I gave him a copy of the Barbarian Way…

Leander Keck (in a debate on the most effective sermon styles) said “When the messenger is gripped by a Message, the messenger will find the means to speak it.”

So why is the MESSAGE not gripping this pastor?

Walter Brueggemann once said,

“If you are a coward by nature, don’t worry. We can still use you. You can get down behind the biblical text. You can peek out from behind the text saying, ‘I don’t know if I would say this, but I do think the text does’.”

Imagine that – Hiding Behind the Word of God – Using the Word of God as your sword !!!

I love reading this bishops blog — perhaps you will as well:  http://willimon.blogspot.com/