The Sermon Sucking Black Hole

Very little communication takes place between most pastors/priests and their congregants regarding the weekly sermon/homily. This lack of constructive dialogue has resulted in Sunday messages that are not only out-of-touch with where parishioners are living, but for the most part whats said isnt remembered much beyond the church parking lot. Dr. Mains contends that people in the pew can best judge when a sermon is helpful to them and when it isnt. So why not include them in the process of both preparing and evaluating sermons? Not preaching the sermons. . . . .but again, preparing and evaluating them. He makes these changes sound so simple and practical that you cant help but wonder, Why werent these ideas implemented years ago? Most people in the pew dont realize how integral they are to finding a solution to this problem. But the pulpit/pew combination can be an incredibly powerful team, so lets begin to work together to help solve this mystery of whats happening to sermons. This is not a negative book or one that only points out problems. Instead, its a positive, practical and encouraging read that should fill you with hope for not only your local congregation, but churches everywhere.