| This September, 2009 I visited a Southern Baptist | | | | Preacher and Word of Holy Spirit |
| Church in Vacaville, CA USA (north of San Francisco | | | | A poem by Peter Menkin |
| by 80 miles or so). My reason was to interview | | | | |
| Pastor Bob Lawler on the subject Sunday School, for | | | | September, daysof Pentecost, |
| an article. | | | | What comes here now…? |
| After the interview in his office, during lunch, we | | | | Sensibly bring to talkabout sermons: |
| talked of various spiritual and religious matters, too. | | | | The Holy Spirit. |
| The purpose, inspiration, and practice of the sermon | | | | Modern days, 21st Century |
| by the preacher was part of the discussion. | | | | Says |
| Pastor Lawler of First Baptist Church in Vacaville, | | | | In this State, in this County, in this town;let’s not |
| whose number of family unit membership is near | | | | speak of religion, |
| 500, said that a sermon in his Church could go 45 | | | | Or faith, or spiritual terms |
| minutes, or more. It was the Holy Spirit at work in | | | | This post Christian era— |
| the sermon, as much of what is said in that preaching | | | | Its despair of no God, Christ(?) |
| time–the result of referral to notes, not to | | | | What is: What comes? |
| completely typed out written text. | | | | Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost— |
| I said, in my Church (Episcopal in Mill Valley, CA USA), | | | | That Word, the Word, |
| the sermon goes about 12 minutes. Surely, the liturgy | | | | What comes here now. |
| of the Word is emphasized in the Southern Baptist | | | | Speak in sermon, spontaneously |
| tradition. | | | | We say, and mention the work |
| As part of our inter-religious dialogue, we mutually | | | | Of the Holy Spirit in this enterprise |
| agreed that the Holy Spirit was at work. My friend | | | | Of preaching, saying from the pulpit, |
| Linda, who helped me drive to visit Pastor Bob and | | | | The lectern, standing before the faithful, |
| see his Church for the interview, agreed. | | | | Of Gospel: breathing language. |
| This morning as inspired by his remarks on the work | | | | Tame words, not so–always, but passion |
| of the Holy Spirit, I wrote this poem. My effort as | | | | Of history, time, man, Christ |
| response to Pentecost in September and a wonderful | | | | And God, Holy Spirit. Always. |
| visit to First Baptist Church, where Pastor Leroy | | | | What comes here now…? |
| Gainey is Senior, and wrote by email to come visit | | | | I believe, so the preacher preaches, |
| for my story on Why are Southern Baptists called | | | | And he writes or says extemporaneously |
| The Sunday School Church was very successful. I am | | | | Talk driven and meant for listening to & for |
| glad Pastor Leroy had me talk with Pastor Bob | | | | Of Pentecost, the tongues of language and flame, |
| Lawler. A very good interview and hospitable visit. | | | | Its working ways come forth! Halleluajah! |
| | | | | Christ is Risen, come Holy Spirit. |
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