Encouraging Feedback
In his important and disturbing essay Why Johnny
Can't Preach (P and R Publishing Phillipsburg) David Gordon
writes,".... almost everywhere I go, when I ask people about their church home, they almost universally say that their
minister is "not a great preacher," which we all know is just a polite way of saying: "Well, we don't really benefit from his preaching, but he's a very good minister in other ways." And while I'm delighted to hear that ministers are faithful in visitation, compassionate in caring for the sick, efficient in
administration, or winsome towards the youth or the lost, I'd be even more delighted to hear someone say the opposite: "Well, he's a little awkward at visitation, but he is outstanding in the pulpit; and the preaching is so good, and so nourishing, that we put up with the other minor defects in other areas."
For all of us who preach the hard fact is that those who hear our sermons are often reluctant to gives us usable feedback. They may well describe our shortcomings to other people who ask, but at the door of the church a short positive comment is all that is likely to be forthcoming. Indeed the preponderance of the easy compliment sometimes makes the occasional angry response all the more welcome. Somehow we need to create structures and spaces where our preaching can receive more fullsome and useful feedback. I believe preaching to be an art, and just like any artist we need heartfelt comment and debate of our work. Part of creating space for such feedback is the appreciation that preaching is an aspect of our common life as people of faith rather than a celebrity star turn. Here's poetic take on that (well, almost):
Encouraging Frank Sermon Feedback
(with apologies to Benjamin Zephaniah)
Be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday
Cos’ preachers just need to know--
What you’s hearing, how it’s grooving,
Touchin hearts, or changing minds?
Be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday.
Don’t smile, shake hands and pass on.
No ‘nice sermon Vicar’ that just leaves ’em wond’rin
Whether it was heard worthy of pond’rin at all.
So be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday –
Not polite, not reserved, not squeamish,
Not indiffer’nt, not respectful, not avoidin –
the one thing they long to really know.
Tell ’em straight, give ’em feedback, let ’em see
If you was shifted or touched by what they sermonized.
And if you wasn’t? Well, don’t hold fire,
Preachers need you to be honest. Tell em, ‘No prize.’
Preachers just wanna make connections
Preachers just wanna lift souls
Don’t you let ’em be vapid bellows--
The only hot air in de building when the stone walls give off
their chill.
No sideshow, they’s a part of yus action.
Let them voices be tones to enthral you,
Let them words carve spaces in your mind
Tellin’ of goodness, and a grace that’s infinitely kind.
I once knew a preacher called ....... Preacher
Who, going each Sunday to tell it--
That gospel for sinner and saint,
Thought ’is words so stirring and compelling
And never once received comment or complaint.
’E ended ’is days disillusioned
On overhearing, behind a Tesco stack, ’is name
Pronounced clearly—as a boring and tedious hack.
So be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday
Own the work, make it yours, not theirs alone.
If the listenin’ stirs yu soul, then signal;
If the listenin’ comes hard, let ’em know.
We’s the Body of Jesus assembled, each wid a part
In dis message dat brings in new life.
Preachers and ’earers TOGETHER. Get it?
Speakin’ AND listenin’ – no boredom, no strife.
Inspiration drawn from Benjamin Zephaniah's poem Talking Turkeys in the book of the same name published by Puffin Books.
Can't Preach (P and R Publishing Phillipsburg) David Gordon
writes,".... almost everywhere I go, when I ask people about their church home, they almost universally say that their
minister is "not a great preacher," which we all know is just a polite way of saying: "Well, we don't really benefit from his preaching, but he's a very good minister in other ways." And while I'm delighted to hear that ministers are faithful in visitation, compassionate in caring for the sick, efficient in
administration, or winsome towards the youth or the lost, I'd be even more delighted to hear someone say the opposite: "Well, he's a little awkward at visitation, but he is outstanding in the pulpit; and the preaching is so good, and so nourishing, that we put up with the other minor defects in other areas."
For all of us who preach the hard fact is that those who hear our sermons are often reluctant to gives us usable feedback. They may well describe our shortcomings to other people who ask, but at the door of the church a short positive comment is all that is likely to be forthcoming. Indeed the preponderance of the easy compliment sometimes makes the occasional angry response all the more welcome. Somehow we need to create structures and spaces where our preaching can receive more fullsome and useful feedback. I believe preaching to be an art, and just like any artist we need heartfelt comment and debate of our work. Part of creating space for such feedback is the appreciation that preaching is an aspect of our common life as people of faith rather than a celebrity star turn. Here's poetic take on that (well, almost):
Encouraging Frank Sermon Feedback
(with apologies to Benjamin Zephaniah)
Be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday
Cos’ preachers just need to know--
What you’s hearing, how it’s grooving,
Touchin hearts, or changing minds?
Be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday.
Don’t smile, shake hands and pass on.
No ‘nice sermon Vicar’ that just leaves ’em wond’rin
Whether it was heard worthy of pond’rin at all.
So be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday –
Not polite, not reserved, not squeamish,
Not indiffer’nt, not respectful, not avoidin –
the one thing they long to really know.
Tell ’em straight, give ’em feedback, let ’em see
If you was shifted or touched by what they sermonized.
And if you wasn’t? Well, don’t hold fire,
Preachers need you to be honest. Tell em, ‘No prize.’
Preachers just wanna make connections
Preachers just wanna lift souls
Don’t you let ’em be vapid bellows--
The only hot air in de building when the stone walls give off
their chill.
No sideshow, they’s a part of yus action.
Let them voices be tones to enthral you,
Let them words carve spaces in your mind
Tellin’ of goodness, and a grace that’s infinitely kind.
I once knew a preacher called ....... Preacher
Who, going each Sunday to tell it--
That gospel for sinner and saint,
Thought ’is words so stirring and compelling
And never once received comment or complaint.
’E ended ’is days disillusioned
On overhearing, behind a Tesco stack, ’is name
Pronounced clearly—as a boring and tedious hack.
So be kind to yu preachers dis Sunday
Own the work, make it yours, not theirs alone.
If the listenin’ stirs yu soul, then signal;
If the listenin’ comes hard, let ’em know.
We’s the Body of Jesus assembled, each wid a part
In dis message dat brings in new life.
Preachers and ’earers TOGETHER. Get it?
Speakin’ AND listenin’ – no boredom, no strife.
Inspiration drawn from Benjamin Zephaniah's poem Talking Turkeys in the book of the same name published by Puffin Books.