Performance vs. Transformation

November 29, 2007

Ever felt like you were just going through the motions? As a pastor or church planter, we get so busy "doing stuff" that sometimes we end up feeling as if we are just going through the motions. I wonder if we allow enough time in our schedules to slow down and allow God to transorm our hearts?

I have had the privilege of traveling around the U.S. and listening to many wonderful pastors ,and some not so good ones as well ,over the last few years. What I've noticed is that whether or not they are traditional or contemporary, expositional or topical, confrontational or narrative, some preach to perform and others preach out of their transformation. Let me explain:

I have heard many wonderfully scripted and polished messages, yet there seemed to be little passion or authenticity. At other times I've listened to poorly scripted and planned out messages, and yet was cut to the very depths of my heart. Was it because the Spirit spoke to me through the one and not the other? Possibly. Yet, I think something more was happening as well.

So often in our performance driven society pastors are expected to hit a "homerun" every Sunday. So, as pastors we look for that perfect message or perfect series to "WOW" the audience. We work hard to polish our messages in order to drive home our point with a series of strong stories and catchy phrases. Yet, week after week, it seems as if we preach to closed ears and deaf hearts. I wonder if it is because we have focused too much on performance and not from a transformation of our own hearts?

I'm not talking about whether the pastor borrowed the sermon off the internet or wrote it themselves.  It goes deeper than that. A pastor can use another man's message and be profoundly and personally affected. A pastor doesn't have to be originial to be transformed by the word.

I heard Wayne Corderio share it this way. He said that as pastor's we tend to preach like this.

(He took his hand grabbed at his bible and threw his hands out as if scattering the words of God on us.)

Wayne continued by sharing that the most effective and powerful preaching comes when we preach like this.

(He took his hand grabbed at his bible, brought his hand to his heart as if spreading the word into his heart. He then took his hand grabbed at his heart and threw it at the crowd as if scattering the seed of transformation.)

I guess what I am saying is, good preaching is more than simply sharing a polished story, reading a few pungent scriptures and calling for a time of commitment. Good preaching inloves, the transformation of the speaker. Before we can expect the people to be touched and transformed by God's word, we, as pastors, must be touched and transformed by God's word.

We can perform well, once the word of God has transformed us. The question remains whether or not we can perform well without transformation first?

Posted 11/29/2007 in Stephen Gray

2 Comments - Add Comment

Comments:

     Transformation can be an ugly process, sometimes things get messy before they can be presentable. God is in the business of making masterpieces and he doesn't mind a bit of dirt or maybe even a hunk of clay to make it happen. I believe sometimes the messyer the better. Look at Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter. Poor old Judus, what do we do with him. He represents fear and the what ifs in this life. When its all said and done ask Judas what really mattered. Would you listen to one cursed, mean either. I would stick with Paul and Peter. They new about performance, passion and they counted it all joy to suffer for our Lord. I wounder where the suffering ended and the Joy began. Are we willing to walk that path? As Pastors, how do we come to the place were performance issues leave and we get down to business. Hopefully, we are already their, but honestly sometimes one just wants to make it through another Sunday without others discovering who they really are thus evacuate the Temple. May God transform us all according to his riches and glory.

     I know this was writen with the "Pastor" in mind, but with songs in my mind it touches me also. Too many times performance gets in the way of God. Sometimes it takes other people telling us before we see what is going on(you would think we would hear God). This was a subject at our church not long ago, and God is blessing us. I hope and pray that God uses this to touch all who read it. God Bless