We were out of town for Palm Sunday yesterday and attended church in a nice, Bible-believing body of Christ in a beachside community. People were friendly, the worship music was heartfelt and the sermon was entertaining and thought-provoking. The bottom line of the message was that the attention Jesus got during His triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey came basically from people who were fans of Jesus, not followers. The sermon showed in many ways how this was true and left us with the encouragement to be followers of Christ and not just fans — a good sound thought — but I left with something to be desired and it’s taken me until this morning to figure out what it was. Turns out it’s the same thing that bothers me about most evangelical preaching. I know this because I am guilty of it myself when I get an opportunity to preach.
There are unwritten rules of evangelical preaching that go something like this: Don’t ruin somebody’s Sunday. Make them feel good. Don’t give them too much to do or they might not come back. Above all, don’t expect change. Preach in such a way that people come back but stay virtually the same. People go to seminary to learn how to do this — how to wow people from Sunday to Sunday without demanding anything from them. What’s missing is what Marti would call the “So what?” of preaching.
Here’s my guess in regards to yesterday’s sermon: people who would get up on Sunday morning to get on time anywhere, much less to endure an indoor meeting in an ascetically-challenged building on a beautiful sun-drenched beachside day with their heads still throbbing from the night before, are most likely already followers. Fans would not do this. We could have gotten this fan/follower thing out of the way in the first paragraph, patted ourselves on the back for being the followers we are, and gone right on to what it means to follow Jesus in concrete, down-to-earth everyday terms, and most of that content can come directly from what Jesus told his followers to do and not do.
Here is a brief list of what just came to my mind, without citing scripture references: Don’t make money your God. Don’t take up revenge. Don’t harbor hate in your heart. Don’t judge. Choose the last place instead of the first. Return evil with good. Pay Caesar. Love God with everything you’ve got. Give your neighbor as much attention as you give yourself. Give, but don’t trumpet your giving. Tell other people about Jesus. Encourage others to become followers of Christ.
Now here’s the truth: I am failing at some level with each one of these, but at least I know what to focus on. And if I take just one of these and seek to be more like Christ in that area, I will be a better follower of Christ.
Bottom line, I didn’t need to leave church yesterday wondering if I was really a follower of Christ; I needed to leave knowing I was, and what I should be doing about that. My writing this morning is just a roundabout way of getting us all to do the same.
John Fischer The Catch 
I never thought of it this way. But you’re right, followers would have never turned on Jesus. But fans, well, we see that every day when someone in the public eye “falls from grace” and fans run away. Or when someone just does or says something we don’t like, we flee. Very interesting food for thought and action.
We were fortunate enough to have an Easter Cantata during the 11a service, so our contemporary service was a full regular service. Had some great and challenging thoughts during it, then got to stay for some moving music.
I have to agree that too much preaching today seems to strive to uplift and misses the “correction and instruction in right living.” May I also add that I am aware of at least one seminary that does NOT fit your description. Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana strives to teach the “so what” concept whether they are engaged in learning to preach or studying church history.
Thanks, John, for the reminder. We are blessed to have an evangelical preacher who tells us EVERY Sunday what followers of Christ need to know. We sure do NOT come home with the “feel good” preaching that is found in lots of churches. He steps on toes and isn’t afraid to do that. And we keep coming back for more.
John, Every time I visit a church that is different from my own, I learn something. And I have to say that some of the best, most memorable sermons I’ve ever heard were at churches other than my own. And I go to the largest PCA church in the country, known for its teaching, among other things. Rarely do I find too much to be critical of when I visit other churches, and I almost always enjoy the experience. And the denomination makes no difference.
On the other hand, it’s very difficult for me to read something that someone else has written without being critical. The reason is because I’m a writer.
I think that all of us are cursed with a curse, other than the obvious one from Eden: whatever our profession, we’re going to be overly critical of those who do the same profession. So your curse, John, is that you are probably not going to be able to enjoy another pastor’s sermon to the fullest extent because you are going to sit there the whole time thinking critically about it. My curse is that I cannot truly enjoy another writer’s writing. I suppose filmmakers have that curse when it comes to watching movies, musicians to listening to music, etc.
We all think that we could have done a better job if it’s our profession.
So I’m guessing that that pastor’s sermon was not nearly as shallow as you’re making out. It’s just that it wasn’t you giving it.
Here’s another curse: people who like to think, think too much. That includes both you and me. We over analyze everything, trying to find hidden meanings and a topic for a future sermon or article. Which means we miss the simple pleasures, like the enjoyment of just letting things be what they are.
Think about it… but not too much.
good insight, Mr. Smith….
Right on, Mr. Smith. We’re all cursed with a curse. Mine happens to be allowing myself to be side tracked while reading, by errors in spelling. I have to keep telling myself, “Who really cares? Just enjoy the meaning and stop being so critical”.
I’m sure we can get something interesting from a sermon, even if it is not delivered just exactly to our liking, or if we disagree on some point.
I enjoy reading your “replies” on here and I’ll bet you are a very good writer, Mr. Smith. Could you recommend something you have written?
Great post. Great thoughts. You are spot on. I couldn’t agree with you more. From your post and all three previous comments it appears that you have read, or are familiar with, Kyle Idleman’s book, Not a Fan. He distinguishes between the folks you talk about and authentic followers of Jesus. If you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend it. You echo several provocative thoughts Kyle makes in his book. It is well worth reading. He has made it into a video series that is wonderful for small groups.Here’s a link to the book: http://www.christianbook.com/not-a-fan/kyle-idleman/9780310331933/pd/331933?kw=not%20a%20fan&event=PPCSRC&p=1020037
Our pastor, Andy Stanley at Northpoint Community Church, agrees. He’s always saying “So what?” and “Now what?” It’s the reason I like this church; it actually makes me uncomfortable on any number of Sundays. I keep going back because I’m always challenged to scrutinize my heart and life, to remember the things I already know about living in the Kingdom, and the things I already know about my Abba. But I also keep going back because I’m always given the “Now what?” Now that I know, now that I’ve repented, what do I do now? That, to me, is sometimes more important than the so what because I can understand in so many ways all the ways I need to change and grow, but knowing what to do about it is key, especially if I WANT to change and grow. And I do. And lest I deceive anyone about Stanley’s suggested actions being grounded in self-help and willpower, they are not. I’ve tried that (admittedly, still do – I”m one of those over thinkers) and if it had worked, well, I wouldn’t need Jesus or the church, would I?
By the way, this is why I hang around The Catch. I get the so what and the now what here too. I also find that “peaceful sound where lonely hearts hang around” (to quote Josh Garrells), and that’s hard to find in this mad, mad world.
Thanks for this Catch, John. I was planning a service for the Sunday after Easter – and I will be using your suggestions for the ‘So what?’ bit.
I like it