Like most preachers, I have a somewhat predictable rhythm to my sermon preparation. I like to complete my exegetical work by mid-day on Tuesday, finish a sermon outline by Wednesday, create the introduction and conclusion by Thursday noon, and then write out a manuscript or detailed outline by Thursday. Ideally, I take Fridays off. Then I tweak and adjust and practice the sermon on Saturday. It’s a helpful rhythm. But the process rarely plays out the way I expect.
There is a factor in sermon preparation which I can’t control. No amount of discipline or determination or prayer provides gives me control over it. I call this factor “the unpredictable creative process.” On some days creative ideas gush out of my mind faster than I can write them down. On other days I can’t find a creative thought. Sermon block happens.
What should I make of this? I’ve learned not to fret over it, because it’s simply that way that thought works. When I approach the weekly task of mowing my lawn, I know that it will take me 1.5 hours. This time frame varies little from week to week. But the rate or pace at which ideas take shape is unpredictable. Therefore, I cannot control the unpredictable creative process.
But I can adjust to it. I adjust by starting early and stretching out the process. It’s not simply a matter of carving out 15 hours versus 12 hours to prepare a sermon. If that was the case, then I could schedule all my sermon preparation on Thursday and Friday. But instead, I have to stretch it over the entire week to allow for down-time. It’s often when I’m focusing on something else that an idea crystallizes or emerges. In fact, Eugene Lowry counsels preachers to conclude sessions of sermon preparation at the point of a felt difficulty rather than at the point of closure. In other words, there’s an advantage to walking away from your desk frustrated. The reason is that your mind continues to work on the sermon even when you are not consciously thinking about it! When you leave at a point of frustration, you give your mind something on which to ruminate.
I also adjust to the unpredictable creative process by continuing to work when I’m “in the zone.” That is, when the creative juices are flowing and thoughts are tumbling out of my mind, I’ll keep working as long as I can. I’ll skip lunch or rearrange my schedule to continue sermon preparation until I’m forced to stop or the creative rush ends.
Eventually, the sermon comes together! Then, I preach it and begin the process all over again! I wonder how the unpredictable creative process will play out this week?
Posted by Steve Mathewson at 9:17 AM on March 4, 2008
Comments
Very helpful tip! thanks steve!
Posted by: rob on March 5, 2008
Steve has discovered the "magical" process that experienced creative people have known about for eons. Once you begin creating (actually writing, for example), something happens. Things go in directions you didn't anticipate, connections are made, characters in a novel take on a life of their own. This doesn't mean that the new direction or thoughts are any good, however. The author, the painter, the creator of sermons who knows their craft also knows to test their ideas and new directions.
Posted by: Steve P on March 6, 2008