This past Saturday I performed a wedding outdoors at McCormick’s Creek State Park, a local park 4/10 of a mile from the church building. It turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day for both the rehearsal on Friday night and the wedding late Saturday afternoon. Mitch and Shauna were a neat couple to get to know. He started this Winter and was followed by his mom, sister and nephew. Shauna works at the local jail so her schedule is whacked, but when she was off she was here.
I don’t preach at my weddings (or funerals for that matter). I like to talk to the couple, hitting on some of the things we talked about in counseling, but really focusing on the importance of love and commitment. Somewhere after welcoming everyone, reading Scripture, praying, and talking to them, I say this: “That is a lot of food for thought and I realize your minds are a million miles away today so what will be said can be easily forgotten.” Even though they are looking at me, I know they are being polite. 🙂 Then I move on to the promise of commitment, the giving away of the bride, the exchange of vows and rings, the kiss, etc.
What hit me Sunday morning was that statement of not remembering what I have just said. That seems to be a common malady among many people. During my Communion thought on Sunday I said that. I tied it to the meaning of Memorial Day, but then made another observation: it is much more tragic to forget the price paid by Jesus on behalf of our sins. We simply can’t take that for granted or forget.
Just a little reminder to you.
Shameless promotion: if you ever wanted to know a little more about me and OVCF, I was interviewed a few of weeks ago for a 25 minute broadcast on the Calvary Radio Network. I was able to get a copy of it and have it put on the website. You can go to the church web site and listen (upper left side). I’d appreciate your thoughts.
What was that thing about forgetting again?
Can’t remember.
I’ve got to check that out. I want to put a voice to what you write.
Please do and let me know what you think please. (but only if it is good). 🙂
I think you are missing a great opportunity at weddings and funerals by not preaching the Word.
You are a verity smart guy, Bill. You can figure out a way to do it in context of the occasion. After all, Jesus was at both and did great things for us sinners.
Make them truly Christian weddings and Christian funerals. Preach of Christ’s love for His bride…and how He loves nothing more than to raise sinners from their graves.
Thanks, Bill.
I read Ephesians 5 during the wedding. I talk about love and commitment. I also talk about what a Christian marriage is Stephen. They barely remember those simple things. Preaching is not going to get it done. On that you and I will have to disagree. I believe there is a time and place… weddings are not the time and place IMHO. I once attended a funeral where the man preached for almost 1/2 hour. Another sang/talked at one. i will reserve my comments on the good of either.
I appreciate your comment Stephen. I simply disagree on the approach.
The you do preach. Maybe just not a long winded sermon…but you preach.
Actually, Bill, “faith comes by hearing and the Word of God.”
St. Paul said, “How can they hear if they don’t have a preacher?”
I think we do agree. Maybe you just didn’t realize that when you speak of Christ and His promises (in some way, any way) you are preaching.
I see what you are saying. My idea of preaching may be somewhat different than yours. What you may call preaching here, I will call “heartfelt communication on a different level.” But if you see what I do as preaching, I’m okay with that also. 🙂
You are a good man, Bill.
I know that you speak of Christ, whenever you have a chance.
Keep it up, friend.
What a blessing to be able to talk about God on the airwaves without someone coming in to drag you to prison for it.
I know of many who have ask the pastor who marry them to please somehow present the gospel because of the unsaved attending. More ask when it’s a funeral. My personal belief is it’s more affective at a funeral of a saint. My sister in law who died this year was saved at the graveside of my dad. Ace told of him getting saved the night before he died. The Word talks about it is better to go to a house of mourning then a house of eating. The why is no one thinks about their own death while eating but most think about their own at a funeral. Bottom line is what the family wants in both events. I am sure you do a good job at either and listen to the Lord on what to do.
Opp forgot the scripture reference. Ecc. 7:2-4
When i do a funeral Betty I do assess who had died compared to their Christian walk. If the person was a faithful follower I emphasize their future home. If they did come to Christ before dying, even though they may have lived a “hell-raising” life, I emphasize that. In fact, I had been trying to reach out to a man whose health was declining and finally one day under an oxygen tent I asked him if he could hear me. Squeeze my hand. He did. Would you like to confess your faith in Jesus? Squeeze my hand. I prayed and asked him if he prayed that prayer. Squeeze my hand. He did. He died later that day and at his funeral I was able to share that. I didn’t preach. Didn’t offer an altar call (which I believe to be the wrong place to do so). But I did impress upon them it is never too late, but they are not guaranteed tomorrow nor the chance to do what Dan did. i try to be sensitive to the family’s needs and wishes. Thanks for your thoughts.
So glad you were there for the man who is died, he will thank you in heaven. I’m sure that was the best hand squeeze you have received. My husband would not call what he does preaching when given a chance to speak at a funeral. I think sometimes it gets confusing because of the words we use. That dying man hand squeeze was enough to make the angels sing in heaven.
It is so easy to get busy and let the most precious of priorities fall far below where they should. For me, that’s why it’s good to get these type of daily and weekly reminders. Thanks, Bill.
I NEED reminders Floyd. I know me. 🙂 Thanks.
You got me thinking about my wedding. I don;t even remember if the pastor preached or not. I don’t think so, but it’s foggy.
My point exactly.