WHATCHU TALKIN BOUT WILLIS?

I grew up when Diff'rent Strokes was a popular television show. That's no big deal unless your last name is Willis. To this day I still hear those famous words popularized by Arnold: "Whatchu talkin bout Willis?" Usually they are uttered by someone looking at me as though I may have never heard it before. Yeah, right! Well this blog is what I (Willis) am talkin bout...my thoughts, observations & opinions. Enjoy...



Monday, December 17, 2007

Sermon Intermission?


If you've ever preached in a church setting or taught a group of people somewhere then you'll probably know where I'm coming from. Have you ever looked out at the crowd and noticed someone with that glazed over, dear in the headlights face? Sure you have. You likely have also seen the sleepy face or the I really don't want to be here face. I was thinking of introducing a sermon intermission for such folks. I could pause and give everyone a chance to get up, move around and greet each other. Then I could say something like "If you are bored, not interested, perhaps sleepy, or you really just want to leave...this is an ideal opportunity for you to slip out inconspicuosly and get an early start on lunch." Hey, who wants to sit through a sermon when you really aren't interested? I'd rather speak to those who want to learn anyway. Wouldn't you love to see the faces of the people who heard something like that? Sure, they'd be mad at me, but I wonder if they'd appreciate it more if I simply didn't listen the next time they felt compelled to bend my ear.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised that you would have that problem. As I recall your sermons always had a bit of flair that you just couldn't keep from listening to! I don't know what my favorite was the Coming Out of the Closet or People I Wouldn't Baptize. Yep, that's right, I still remember them after all these years! I miss hearing sermons like that!

Soren said...

Yeah. What she said.

"Duped, Deluded, and Deceived" -- it's time to bring it back. Nobody would walk out on that one.

David H. Willis said...

Melissa,

It's great to hear from you. I had forgotten the People I Wouldn't Baptize sermon. I'll have to bring that one back.

Mike,
I got pretty close to D,D & D a few weeks back and you're right - everyone was was paying attention.

Soren said...

I remember "Coming Out of the CLoset" too. I totally ripped off that idea.

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of what Dave preaches about came from his old football coach. Doesnt he have a tendancy for the motivational speech. I agree though, I dont think anyone would fall asleep...I would worry they might get so fired up, they would want to tackle the nearest person in the pew.