What is a sermon committee?

[rlvaughn]

What is a sermon committee, and what do they do? Do you have one?

I saw mention of a sermon committee on a blog. It did not specifically say what it was, but suggested it is group that somehow helps the pastor in the preparation of his sermons (maybe with discussion of and suggestions?).

Thoughts?

 

[Jerome]

'9Mark Dever' describes how he invites over a small focus group on Saturday night to listen to him read his sermon. Then he makes adjustments for Sunday morning, according to their feedback :

Pastors Talk Leadership & Preaching | Baptist Press

"Dever added that on Saturday night before preaching on Sunday, a small group meets at his house. He reads his sermon manuscript to them, receives feedback and makes changes accordingly."

Preach: Theology Meets Practice by Mark Dever

"after I've written the sermon, I'll read it to a few friends in my study on Saturday night, and often there are women present who give me some of the best comments I receive."


Simon Murphy • Instagram

"Sitting with Mark Dever at 11pm on a Saturday night in his study"
"listening to him read his sermon and take comments"

 

[rlvaughn]

'9Mark Dever' describes how he invites over a small focus group on Saturday night to listen to him read his sermon. Then he makes adjustments for Sunday morning, according to their feedback...

Thanks.

I found this explanation from Ed Litton:

“We employ a preaching team approach at Redemption Church that is comprised of eight men from our staff/congregation who meet weekly to discuss study insights, outlines, and approaches to the text. This sermon prep process includes working in the languages, consulting commentaries and books, and listening to strong communicators.” – Pastor’s Statement by Ed Litton

 

[Southern Fried Baptist]

Thanks.

I found this explanation from Ed Litton:

Then why is he getting paid by his church. My pastor is in his office every day preparing his messages.

And it’s also shameful how quiet this board is on this whole issue. Do y’all use others work too?

 

[tyndale1946]

Then why is he getting paid by his church. My pastor is in his office every day preparing his messages.

And it’s also shameful how quiet this board is on this whole issue. Do y’all use others work too?

Yeah a pastor friend of mine has been inviting members of his congregation over at his house for years... Its called Bible Study, but he uses this scripture and doesn't run it by a sermon committee... He is prepared to give a sermon and Lord knows the sermon the church needs... Brother Glen

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

[rlvaughn]

Then why is he getting paid by his church. My pastor is in his office every day preparing his messages.

And it’s also shameful how quiet this board is on this whole issue. Do y’all use others work too?

I had never heard of a sermon committee until about 3 or 4 days ago.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Perhaps it’s modeled after the prophecy committee.

“Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.” –1 Cor 14:29

 

[Reynolds]

What is a sermon committee, and what do they do? Do you have one?

I saw mention of a sermon committee on a blog. It did not specifically say what it was, but suggested it is group that somehow helps the pastor in the preparation of his sermons (maybe with discussion of and suggestions?).

Thoughts?

Baptist churches have committees for everything else, may as well have one for the sermon.

 

[Reynolds]

Then why is he getting paid by his church. My pastor is in his office every day preparing his messages.

And it’s also shameful how quiet this board is on this whole issue. Do y’all use others work too?

Thee best pastors are out doing the work of the Shepherd. The everyday Bible study that each and every believer should do is sufficient for weekly sermon prep.

 

[tyndale1946]

Baptist churches have committees for everything else, may as well have one for the sermon.

Good point!... Bad idea!... Brother Glen

 

[Reynolds]

Good point!... Bad idea!... Brother Glen

I agree. I was being sarcastic.

 

[Jerome]

I had never heard of a sermon committee until about 3 or 4 days ago.

Jack Hyles: "A fellow told me about a church in Arkansas that had a sermon committee....'The preacher gets the sermon up all week, gives it to the sermon committee on Saturday. The sermon committee reads it and approves or rejects it, then gives it back to him.' He said, 'Boy, that's terrible, isn't it?'"

"I said, 'I have the same thing'....
He said, 'A sermon committee?...That tells you what to preach?'
I said, 'One that checks on my sermons.'
He said, 'How many are on it?'
I said, 'Three—GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY GHOST'."

 

[Salty]

Baptist churches have committees for everything else, may as well have one for the sermon.

I thought Baptist committees were created to help keep the church members out of the way when the pastor is working on his messing.

 

[Reynolds]

I thought Baptist committees were created to help keep the church members out of the way when the pastor is working on his messing.

I despise committees.

 

[Jerome]

Preach: Theology Meets Practice by Mark Dever

"after I've written the sermon, I'll read it to a few friends in my study on Saturday night, and often there are women present who give me some of the best comments I receive."

More detailed description from Dever of what he's been counseling 9Marksist pastors to do.
Aim is diversity/inclusion?

Mark Dever, The Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive (Crossway 2015)

"Involve Your Congregation in Writing Your Sermon....brainstorm....In exchange for a free lunch, invite a few members of your church to spend time thinking and praying through the passage ahead of time. Then once your sermon points take shape, work together over lunch to generate application ideas for each point. The benefit is a sermon that addresses perspectives beyond your own."

"Saturday Night Sermon Reading. Consider doing a 'dry run' through the sermon on Saturday evening. Invite a few folks from the church to listen. You'll work out some communication bugs before Sunday morning. Beyond that, it's a great opportunity for people to provide criticism before the sermon gets preached. And it's an opportunity to get feedback on areas you've not quite figured out—particularly regarding illustrations and the introduction."

 

[Salty]

I despise committees.

Committess have their place -
BUT things can get excessive.

For example - there was a IFB church here in the Salt City.
About 250 members - The church had about 15 committees (ratio 1:16)

Well, the Pastor who had Pentecostal leanings (along with some other issues)
left the church and took about 30 % of the church with him. At the same time 3 other
splinter groups took a total of about another 100. - thus there were about 75 people left.
yet they still had the same 15 committees (ratio 1::5). They should have made some changes.

Now - back when they had the full 250 members - one committee - say the bldg and grounds committee.
So they need a new lawn mower and snow plow - So the budget allows that committee to spend 1,500 dollars a year.
With having the committee - the 7 men - can decide which mower and plow they get without needing to present it to the full church - where -someone is liable to have complain because his Uncle Bill can give a better deal ( but no warranty)

 

[Revmitchell]

What is a sermon committee, and what do they do? Do you have one?

I saw mention of a sermon committee on a blog. It did not specifically say what it was, but suggested it is group that somehow helps the pastor in the preparation of his sermons (maybe with discussion of and suggestions?).

Thoughts?

it’s idiotic

 

[Alcott]

Sermon committee?
He wasn't one of the knights of the round table, was he?

 

[Ziggy]

I once preached at a church near New Bern NC, and just down the road was a convenience store with "Sermons" as the family ownership name right on top of the store — really! .

You can make up your own jokes at that point.

 

[rlvaughn]

Sermon committee?
He wasn't one of the knights of the round table, was he?

No. That was Sir Moncomite.