Comments on: #558. Saying you were going to preach a different sermon but God changed it at the last minute.

By: Sihmai

Sihmai — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:35:34 +0000

I think it's funny that you are blogging about people changing things at the last minute. If you look at the time you post the majortiy of your blogs, it is at 3:00am. This one was posted at 2:59am. Did God change your mind for this post at the last minute? What were you going to blog about?

By: Aussie Mike

Aussie Mike — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:13:19 +0000

This is in some pastors and worship leaders greatest hits album. I heard the person who was preaching say that this morning. When I used to be in the music team at the church they would practice the songs they were intending to do for Sunday and then on the sunday they would change a couple of songs and used this phrase as an excuse.

I thought God was the same Yesterday today and forever. I thought that God knows what's going to happen in Sunday services the Monday before. If they have asked God a week before why would God suddenly change his mind?

It kinda sucks when you're training up youth in the music team and they take the songs home and practice like mad and then the worship leader decides to change a couple of songs that haven't been practiced for a year.

It just comes down to organization and how prepared someone is. Try doing the same with an exam.

By: rudy

rudy — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:18:51 +0000

Hi, I'm a pastor and I did do this once (I didn't say 'God changed it' but something like I felt led to preach something different than I had planned. I did feel led to preach a different sermon and had already preached the planned one to an earlier service (which had gone well). It was almost like a mechanism to cover up the fear of speaking unprepared - not that I was consciously thinking that at the time. The extemporaneous one went well too.

However, in echoing some of the posts here - the next time (and last time) that happened I just preached the new message with no announcement to the congregation. The focus was then squarely on Christ with no distraction of my changing of the message.

For me it was a way of living Jesus' teaching to "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them." (Matthew 6:1) For me, it became a matter between me and God that I did not need to announce to everyone else, but rather just follow God.

I don't claim to know others' motivation for making the announcement nor do I condemn it. It may be good for their folks to hear that from them. It may be germaine to the message. And at the end of the day, public speaking is still scary for many and standing there not knowing precisely what you'll say next is no small thing.

Grace and peace.

By: paige

paige — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:26:27 +0000

Yes I've heard it, and I ONLY EVER THINK "they didn't prepare anything, they are not "studying to show thyselves approved" they are just lazy and pulling junk out of their hiney" I never EVER think that God has seriously changed it, because even then, it's going to be good enough to NOT have to offer an EXCUSE, which when it comes down to it, is all the sermon change up really is.

By: Laurinda

Laurinda — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:04:12 +0000

When I've heard pastors make that statement, my perception is that they are trying to be spiritual or show they are in touch with God. It's been a turn off for me because the first pastor I heard say that on a regular basis, turned out to be a a very violent man at home. His messages started getting off base and I left. But he kept a very spiritual front in the congregation. Now, I just prefer to hear a good sermon without all that. If the man or woman of God is in touch with God, the message will minister to the people even without that declaration.

By: travelin' joe

travelin' joe — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:56:43 +0000

PASTOR SWISH,

no sir you wrong there are not just 2 reasons. There also exists a 3rd reason *gasp*

i think sometimes people are insecure and treading new territory. by saying this was a change up, it provides freedom to not be as processed as it otherwise might be had they put the time to organize.

By: wordy

wordy — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:10:13 +0000

I do far too much speaking at churches.
I hate the "God told me to say this instead" line. To me, it usually implies a poorly put together sermon and a message with more relevance to the person speaking than the congregation.

By: clifgriffin

clifgriffin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:52:51 +0000

I haven't read any of the other comments (gasp!) but I will say that this kind of disclaimer usually tells me that the person speaking is self-conscious about the decision and unclear as to what God wants, or simply struggled to come up with a sermon they felt was adequate on the prescribed topic.

God can lead us to do crazy unexpected things, but sometimes we just wake up with a desire to do something different and unplanned. There's nothing wrong with that as long as we accept it for what is and don't over spiritualize it.

By: Caitlyn

Caitlyn — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:20:09 +0000

I have one friend who gives much better talks when he hasn't prepared….

By: Michael Baxter

Michael Baxter — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:14:36 +0000

Your blog entries rock, dude. They're so insightful and witty. Thank you so much!