Preaching Re-imagined is sort of part 2 of the Re-Imagined series. In fact, Church Re-imagined was given that name after the title for PR was picked. I really should look again at a third Re-imagined installment. I would do the evangelism book under this title but the already is one called Evangelism Re-Imagined.

But, for this blog back to the preaching book. I was leery about doing a preaching book and took it on at the suggestion of the editorial group picking books for the line emergent books with Zondervan back in the day. I am glad that I did the book and hope it is helpful to people. I think PR almost fits into the “business book” genre in that is it has one key idea and runs with it. In many ways it is a quick read, but it has deep implications.

I think the notion that communities ought to function in their formation in dialog and not one-way communication is obvious to most everyone but really hard to accomplish.

I know that at SP we have not figured it out, but are on a really good path forward. Just this week I received and email from a guy who is new to our community and now participates in the Tuesday discussion group where we make the sermon together. He sent a few reflections from the crucifixion narrative from Matthew 27 that we are looking at through the lens of the opening of Jesus’ “sermon on the mount” (blessed are…). His insights were genius – they will be an Easter week post of their own. I suggested that he do or help with the sermon by sharing his thoughts. Here is what he wrote back – it really gets at the heart of what Preaching Re-imagined is about:

Glad you like it!

I would enjoy sharing it on Sunday myself. But I probably don’t have enough to say to fill out the whole sermon time myself.

So me doing this bit in the middle of yours, or a back-and-forth dialog: I think either of those could work.

This full-participation thing astonishes me, by the way. I’ve been breathing shallowly of God for a long time, but the Porch makes me feel like I can breathe deep again. I’m really happy for having discovered you guys.

I thought the comment about full-participation is so great. It is new for all of us and clearly the way forward.