Sunday, August 24, 2025
Sunday Reflection: The good sermon
I'm a fan of good sermons. That, of course, means that I am often disappointed. Recently, it occurred to me that we might not even realize that some ministers have begin letting AI write their sermons once that starts happening, since the hallmarks of AI-- inauthenticity, failure to identify a coherent viewpoint, a focus on avoiding offense, bland aphorisms, and a lack of storytelling-- have been there in bad sermons all along.
Lately, though, I have heard a few really excellent sermons. One was by Tom Cook at St. Stephens at Edina. The second was by Richard Yeager-Stiver at Grosse Pointe Congregational Church (the church I grew up in). Both were deeply human, and did something I see too rarely: root their message in their own ethos. It's what Aristotle advised two millenia ago, but still seems hard to do for many preachers-- they present little of themselves other than as a kind of omniscient expert on Christianity. There is no struggle, no failure, no roughness or doubt. And who believes that?
One problem with the ethos-free sermon is that we never get a glimpse of the minister's personal theology. Does she think the whole Bible is literally true? If not, how does she read it? What parts are most challenging? These are pretty important things to know if we are to understand their teaching from the pulpit.
It's a hard job, to stand in front of a bunch of people every week and talk about God. I appreciate all of those who make an effort. But I'd be lying if I said I always walked out of church the same way. What I want is to feel the way people did when they walked away after Jesus was teaching: they were always amazed or angry or euphoric or sad. No one set off on their way home from a Jesus sermon thinking "well, that was okay, I guess."
But, yes, that's a high standard....
