<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: I have a question that's central to your work and to this column: How do ministers choose their sermon topics and prepare to preach? A: The answer probably has almost as many parts as there are people preaching. However, there are some basics. Some folks pick up a Bible, flip open to a random text, and start expounding. Some seek to address specific problems or weaknesses they perceive in their audience and pick texts which apply to the situation. Some talk about their favorite themes for week after week (after week after week). A blessing of having a church calendar with its seasons and cycles is that variety is imposed on the pastor. For instance, a three-year cycle of readings (Lectionary) is common in the United States and Canada. Each of the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke is the focus of one year, with John being used as "filler," especially during the year of Mark. Normally, the first reading is from the Old Testament, and has been selected to tie to the Gospel of the day. The second reading is usually from an Epistle, sometimes from Acts. This reading is integrated with the Gospel's theme during festival seasons. During the rest of the Church Year, the Epistles are read book by book. Following this cycle brings most of the Bible to a congregation during the three years. The Psalms are included also, changing week by week. I decide before a new Church Year begins on the First Sunday in Advent which reading I will be using for the year. This means that I've been preaching from the Old Testament since last December. Each Sunday or Monday, I read the next week's Scriptures, studying especially the sermon text. I look to see how it addresses sin's effect on my intended listeners and how God's grace is communicated. Then I prepare to proclaim first the Law of God, which condemns sinfulness. Then I apply the Gospel of forgiveness in a manner specific to the Law which is preached. For instance, this Sunday's theme is centered on the Name of God in Exodus 6. I also tie to Matthew 16, when Peter tells Jesus, "You are the Christ." I'll develop what is meant by God's Name and what its power is. I'll address ways in which we abuse and misuse that Name, using also the Commandment: "Do not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain." The Gospel will emphasize how Christ forgives our misuse of the holy Name and how he has given us his Name to call on in times of trouble or of joy. I selected hymns in part by how they speak to the theme. I was taught "Goal, Malady, Means" sermon preparation. Examining Exodus 6, I established a goal: "That the hearer would believe more fervently in the saving power of the Name of God." For the malady, I asked myself and the Scriptures, "What hinders us from this?" I use specifics from life and from the Bible to point out how we mistrust God's promises connected to his Name, how we drag his Name through the mud in our everyday lives, and how we call on false gods of chance, fate, fortune, and the like. I then develop the means. I ponder, "How does God's Word address this problem?" For this text, the means would include instances where God gives us his Name for our benefit: "Call upon me in the day of trouble," or "at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow." I also look at how God places his Name on his children in Baptism. All of this points to the congregation leaving church with the intent of trusting in God's promises attached to his Name and honoring that Name in all they say, think, or do. After doing my initial work, I tuck the sermon into a corner of my mind and take it around with me. Home and hospital visits, Bible studies, and other contact with church members help me to consider the needs of my hearers. Examples may appear while watching TV, listening to the radio, or reading the paper. This week, an illustration comes from (believe it or not!) *The Wizard of Oz*. Some pastors let it "perk" all week, then Saturday they write out a manuscript. Some prepare notes or an outline. Some (including myself) carry the framework of the sermon in our heads and are fine-tuning and adjusting it even as we preach. As I said, there are many ways to get ready to preach, but this is what works for me. That finishes another week. Remember to "Ask the Pastor" your questions at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.