I've heard preachers through the years speak of "hitting the wall" when it comes to sermon prep. Seems there is a time in the average preacher's life when gearing up Sunday after Sunday becomes tiresome. Consequently, many guys later in their ministry life resort to preaching from memory rather than staying fresh with the message.
It's Sunday night and another day of ministry has ended. Heart and soul were poured out today and now, I'm already reading ahead, praying ahead and thinking ahead to next Sunday.
And ya know what? I'm no where close to hitting the wall! I still love and relish the challenge of sermon prep week to week. It's not only convicting. It's fun!
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Tonight, we were fed the word from Bruno Zapata, preacher for the Iglesia de Cristo in Hot Springs. Bruno will be leaving soon, with his wife Teresa, for Veracruz, Mexico to continue his ministry in his native country.
It was wonderful tonight listening to the Word, translated from Spanish to English. It reminded me of the need of every person to hear the simplicity of the gospel story communicated in their native language.
That includes the various cultures and generations in the United States today. Contextualization is not just a tool for the "mission field;" it is a tool required of every capable spokesman of God in our own homeland.
