Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

When I first started out in ministry my mentor, Bruce Warner, shared a wonderful little periodical called “Context” which was a collection of insights about ministry and culture curated by Martin Marty. (Marty was professor at the University of Chicago for a good number of years and died in 2025. He also coined the term “Public Theology” to frame how religion speaks into public life.)

There is one quote from Context which I have kept over the years. It is from Bruce W. Thielmann, a well-known Presbyterian preacher in the late 20th century. (A portion of the quote is in my personal email signature.) Here is what Thielmann says about preaching:

“There is no special honor in being called to the preaching ministry. There is only special pain. The pulpit calls those anointed to it, as the sea calls its sailors. And like the sea, it batters and bruises and does not rest. To preach, to really preach, is to die naked a little at a time, and to know each time you do it that you’re gonna have to do it again.”

Sounds a bit dark, right?

Thielmann, however, is helping us all hold a special truth about preaching. Yes, the “preacher” must practice a bit of self-disclosure each time they preach, but those who hear the preaching must hear what the Spirit is saying to them. Listening to preaching is more about what the Spirit is saying than what the preacher might say. I know this the case since I often hear about something remarkable I said in a sermon which I never said! God is at work in the preacher and in the so-called “listener.”

The preaching of the Spirit uncovers our fears and wonderings. Each time we give or hear a sermon, we must know that we all “die naked a little at a time.” God has a wonderful way of excavating our hearts as part of our journey toward Christian Perfection.

I invite you to join me beginning this Sunday following worship for a brief sermon discussion group. The purpose of this group is not to critique the sermon (an action which does have value for the preacher!). No, the purpose of this discussion group is to talk about what God is excavating in us as we listen to Him during the sermon. It’s not a place to debate with each other. We certainly already have plenty of that in our world! We will share how God is speaking into our heads, hearts, and hands.

I look forward to welcoming you to Upper Fine Center for our first gathering this Sunday. We’ll begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at noon. See you there with open hearts.

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(July 14th, 2026)