Q: Does your pastor/do you, pastor . . .

[Nelson Bradford]

. . . follow the Lectionary? - the Revised Common Lectionary - i.e. http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

"The above terms, "First Reading and Psalm," "Second Reading," "Gospel," etc., are organizational nomenclature that broadly categorize each day's readings. Seasonal variations in the organization of the readings result in differing groupings of scripture throughout the liturgical year, especially during the Season after Pentecost."

Just wondering....yesterday, Nov 28, 2010, was the first Sunday of Advent, right? And our message/sermon - because we are following the above Lectionary - was on His second coming.

Interesting, eh?

~ Nelson

ps - Isn't God good?!

[Jon Twitchell]

Nelson,

I do (generally) follow the RCL as you've linked above. Most weeks, we'll read all four lessons at some point during the service... although I feel the freedom to substitute lessons if I can better match the theme that I feel led to preach. Typically, we'll read a portion of the Psalm as our Call to Worship. There will be two lay readers who read the two scripture lessons that I'm not preaching, and I'll read the scripture (as part of my sermon) that I'm considering as the primary text for the day.

For me, the RCL makes sure that the congregation hears the majority of scripture over a 3-year cycle... it affirms that we believe all scripture (not just the New Testament)... and it guides my preaching so I don't get into a rut. It also demonstrates that we place an importance on the reading of God's Word. (You won't believe the number of churches I've visited that might only read one or two verses of scripture during the entire worship service!)

Having said that, I'll take periods of time off from it to do an extended series, but even then, our service structure is the same... I'll build my own 'lectionary' that uses lessons that tie into the series I'm working on. For instance, I did a series on the Minor Prophets this summer/fall... and built a sixteen week-long lectionary with Psalms, Gospels, and Epistle readings that tied into my chosen text each day.

While the lectionary may have its shortcomings... I suspect that they are no more significant then the shortfalls of any other method of choosing texts for Sunday worship.

[Mike Schutz]

Yes - We follow the RCL for the most part, except for several times a year when I will preach a book or topical series.
This past Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent, I preached from Isaiah 2:1-5.

[Roy Richardson]

With this Advent season I have started following the Revised Common Lectionary. I'm preaching the Isaiah texts for the most part, so we had 4 readings yesterday, and I had a sword and a plow in the front with me as I talked about the kingdom of the sword and the kingdom of the plow, which is yet to come. I also played since it echoed the Matthew 24 reading about the 2nd coming. Quite simply, when you think about Jesus coming back, are you joyous or fearful. That was the message.

[Dennis M. Scott]

I usually do, although not legalistically. Yesterday I too, preached about Christ's return.

[Jeremy Smallwood]

I'm encouraged to see the number of pastors/church who are using it, whether strictly or loosely. I find D. Bratcher's site immensely useful. (crivoice)

As a denomination who professes the plenary inspiration of scripture, the lectionary makes perfect sense.

[Kazimiera Fraley]

Hey! Jeremy I had not notice you here before, Welcome!
I too use the lectionary for preaching and for the reading of scripture during service. But I do go "off lectionary" from time to time. I did not preach but our fine DL'd preacher (and fellow Naznetter - Shea) preached from Psalm 122 yesterday.

[Charlene Clevenger]

No, our pastor doesn't follow the Lectionary. (This might be a good place for a poll.)

[Rich Schmidt]

I did not preach lectionary but our fine DL'd preacher (and fellow Naznetter - Shea) preached from Psalm 122 yesterday.

In trying to come up with what "DL'd" meant, I first thought of "Disabled List"... but I'm thinking you mean "District Licensed"...?

BTW, I don't follow the lectionary in my preaching.

[Craig Laughlin]

Nope although I "do" Advent and Lent/Easter and recognize Pentecost.

[Kevin Rector]

I have in the past, and I might again in the future. Currently I do not.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Nope although I "do" Advent and Lent/Easter and recognize Pentecost.

Same for me. When I started out in the ministry I had not a clue about Lent or Advent. So I've come a long way.

Sometimes it feels to me that clergy who use the Lectionary feel they've found a better way. I have no problem with their using it, but I don't think it's necessarily better. Still, it's reasonable for those in the ministry to have a variety of tools to apply to specific situations.

[Ryan Scott]

I don't preach every week, but when I do, I follow the lectionary. If and when I get into a position of preaching weekly, I'll most likely follow it from Advent through Pentecost and then sporadically through ordinary time.

[Jon Twitchell]

Same for me. When I started out in the ministry I had not a clue about Lent or Advent. So I've come a long way.

Sometimes it feels to me that clergy who use the Lectionary feel they've found a better way. I have no problem with their using it, but I don't think it's necessarily better. Still, it's reasonable for those in the ministry to have a variety of tools to apply to specific situations.

I do feel that I've found a better way... that's why I do it that way.

I suspect that you feel you use a better way... and that's why you do it that way.

I don't feel that my 'better way' has to be exactly like your 'better way' though.

[Billy Cox]

As a denomination who professes the plenary inspiration of scripture, the lectionary makes perfect sense.

Why would a belief in plenary inspiration have any bearing on one's use of the lectionary? I have it on good authority that even the vaunted lectionary ignores some books of the Bible. So much for giving airtime even to every far-corner of scripture's hinterlands.

[John Kennedy]

In trying to come up with what "DL'd" meant, I first thought of "Disabled List"... but I'm thinking you mean "District Licensed"...?

BTW, I don't follow the lectionary in my preaching.

"DL'd" ---deluded/diluted/?

[Jeremy Smallwood]

Why would a belief in plenary inspiration have any bearing on one's use of the lectionary? I have it on good authority that even the vaunted lectionary ignores some books of the Bible. So much for giving airtime even to every far-corner of scripture's hinterlands.

You're right Billy, its not fool proof. The lectionary doesn't cover everything. However, I think that you'll find that churches that do use the lectionary use more scripture as a whole over a three year period than churches that don't. We all have a cannon within a cannon to some degree. The doctrine of plenary inspiration challenges us to move beyond the scriptures that we reflexively use. The lectionary can serve as a tool to help us accomplish that.

That being said - I don't think it should be done for the sake of bragging rights. I've seen some churches that use the lectionary without saying outright that they use it.

[Jon Twitchell]

Most of my church folks don't realize that we use the lectionary. And, as I said before, the lectionary does have some shortcomings... which Billy is right to point out. But I've seen lots of churches use other methods of picking scripture that have equally as many shortcomings. (For instance... I'm pretty sure there are churches out there that would give people the impression that Nazarenes are closet Marcionites... who never read from the Old Testament.)

I think the point is to make sure that we're not using any method blindly. If I follow the lectionary blindly, then I might never preach from Obadiah or Jude. On the other hand... I suspect that there are lots of pastors who never preach from Obadiah or Jude.... and they don't get to blame the lectionary for that.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I do feel that I've found a better way... that's why I do it that way.

I suspect that you feel you use a better way... and that's why you do it that way.

I don't feel that my 'better way' has to be exactly like your 'better way' though.

Not really, I've just had the impression that some who use it think they're a tad bit superior to those who don't.

I really don't mind that though.

[Susan Unger]

Nope although I "do" Advent and Lent/Easter and recognize Pentecost.

I think this is how our new pastor will be. It was nice to have a sermon on hope yesterday and then have the devotional that the staff wrote and produced for Advent be there to follow up those thoughts during the week.

Starting last year, I started reading the daily readings from the lectionary for my devotions. The effect has been miraculous as it has brought balance to my year. Instead of seeing Christmas as THE day to celebrate in the year, I have found many days worthy of celebration. Having more balance, I feel more joyful through out the year.

[Mike Schutz]

Starting last year, I started reading the daily readings from the lectionary for my devotions. The effect has been miraculous as it has brought balance to my year. Instead of seeing Christmas as THE day to celebrate in the year, I have found many days worthy of celebration. Having more balance, I feel more joyful through out the year.

We print the daily lectionary readings in the weekly bulletin. While I am not sure how many people use them, I know that some do. I also use the lectionary readings as the basis for our Wednesday evening Bible study.

[Kazimiera Fraley]

In trying to come up with what "DL'd" meant, I first thought of "Disabled List"... but I'm thinking you mean "District Licensed"...?

Yes District Licensed