Session 1: Rob Bell – The Original Guerilla Theatre

Here are some random notes/thoughts/comments on Session 1 of Poets, Prophets, & Preachers. I’m going to use quotes for both Rob’s thoughts and paraphrases of Rob’s thoughts. The other parts are my own thoughts/comments.

“What do average people think of when they hear the word ‘sermon’?” Great question. Not addressed enough. Personally I think sermons are largely irrelevant to most people.

“We are gathered here because it’s time to reclaim the sermon.” Not sure what I think of this honestly.

“With Twitter, etc., the sermon can take on a whole new power.”

“Sermons are people talking about the greatest truths humans have stumbled upon.”

“Sometimes the sermon turns into mere propaganda. “

“The sermon is a beautiful ancient art form.”

Do I really believe in the power of the sermon…I’m not sure…I struggle with the centrality of the sermon in modern churches. Seems like a result of the Reformation and perhaps it’s time for things to change…

Is Rob Bell a human? Man he is talented.

“What is a sermon?” Rob’s going for a very broad understanding – uses Ezekiel 4 as sermon.

“In Ezekiel 4 God is telling Ezekiel to go and do this in public. Sounds a lot like a sermon. This is a sermon in Ezekiel 4.” I like this – very broad understanding of the sermon. This is helpful for me. I especially appreciate the emphasis on this being in public.

Rob talked about at least six ways to look at the sermon:
1. Performance Art/Guerilla Theater/Actions that evoke
2. Witness – seen something you must testify too
3. Reminder
4. Invitation to join in something
5. Sub – version – there’s another story, a better narrative.
6. Provocation/loaded language/warning

“Sermon is often implicit critique – it is time for a new word.”

“What is foreign, strange, and shocking may just be ahead of its time.”

“Opening yourself up to the possibility of good and bad, with the sermon. And you don’t know what will happen.”

I am so thankful we didn’t have a “worship” time before the talk. Praise God for no worship!

“Words create new worlds.”

“The power of saying something publically.” But is a sermon really public anymore? I think this is a very important question. If there should be a public element of the sermon, how does the changing culture force us to change how the message goes public? How can we speak publically now?

“Divine redemptive nuclear power in words.”

“Sermon is just one part of a larger whole, but is important.” I do appreciate him saying it is only one part. But I still think he sees it as a big part. I don’t think I do anymore.

“Hearing something new can change everything.” And of course this forces me to rethink my de-valuing of the sermon…

He is defining the sermon in very broad terms – even beyond what goes on in the church. Good.

Rob’s outline of how the event will progress:
1. Theological
2. Conceptual
3. Practical
4. Personal

“Talks that start talks.”

“Instead of the preacher having the last word, he/she just starts the discussion.” I like this. Even though I think he puts too much emphasis on the sermon, I do like the way he emphasizes it, as opposed to other ways it is emphasized. If that makes any sense…

“Less about ending the discussion, more about starting the discussion.”

“You shouldn’t be able to resolve a sermon by the end of the sermon – it must become flesh and blood, a way of life.”

Questions I have. What is public? What if everyone leaves the space of the church? No longer public. What then? Where to move to be heard. I think we must move outside the church. Must move beyond the church.

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Reflections on Poets, Prophets, & Preachers

adam moore | blog

Session 1: Rob Bell – The Original Guerilla Theatre