from simpleicon.com
I am still a fairly young preacher, but I have been doing this for 17 years now. So I thought I would pen a somewhat humorous post for other preachers, especially ones new to the calling of preaching. Maybe other preachers will add their translations into the mix too. By the way, to those who say these comments I mean no offense.
- “You are going to make a great preacher someday.” I used to get this comment a lot. I don’t anymore, which means I am either looking old, or folks have given up on me improving. Translation: You have lots of potential and are doing good for your age. You are an encouragement to them.
- “We just don’t hear preaching like that anymore.” This comment is usually given to the guest preacher in your presence after a special speaking appointment. Translation: They like his style, which is probably an older more familiar style to them, better than yours. They hope you will start quoting more verses like he does! Don’t let it bother you, see my post on Why the Gospel Meeting Speaker Seems Better.
- “That is the greatest sermon I have ever heard.” Translation: They have forgotten all the other great sermons they have heard, but you still really hit a home run!
- “You said some interesting things this morning that got me to thinking.” Translation: You said some things that they did not agree with or went against a previously held position. They are sincerely trying to think and study about it.
- “I would really like to come by and talk to you about some of the things you said.” Translation: They don’t agree with what you said, or are offended, or confused by what you said, so they want to talk. This is a good, because often they just are offended and you never know!
- “I have never heard a sermon on that before.” Translation: They really were blessed from your study of the topic and it seemed very fresh and helpful to them. They likely have heard a sermon on the topic at some point in the past, maybe even by you, but this one came to them at a time they were interested and needing it.
