PREACHER TO PREACHER

From the Editors

Nazarenes have always had a high view of the Scriptures. Our worship centers on the reading of the Bible and the proclamation of its truth through preaching. We know that the Scriptures, faithfully proclaimed in the worshiping community, have a shaping influence on the life of that congregation.

Given this commitment, the selection of scripture readings for the weekly worship of the church is a vital pastoral task. We don't want to select the scriptures to be read on the basis of personal taste or on the whim of the moment, but on an intentional plan for helping our people to hear "the whole counsel of God."

One tool that is gaining wider acceptance in Nazarene circles is the lectionary. A lectionary is simply a collection of readings or selections from the Scriptures, arranged and intended for proclamation during the worship of the church. Lectionaries have been around for a long time. Tables of readings were known and used in the fourth century, following the seasons and days of the Christian year from Advent to Pentecost. The lectionary provides a three-year plan or pattern for the Sunday readings. Each year is centered on one of the synoptic gospels. Year A is the year of Matthew, Year B is the year of Mark, and Year C is the year of Luke. John is read each year, especially in the times around Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Each week's selections generally include a lesson from the Old Testament, a selection from the Psalms, a Gospel reading, and an additional New Testament lesson. In the course of the three-year cycle the congregation will hear from a wide and balanced selection of Bible texts.

A few pastors use the lectionary to guide their preaching. Many others use the lectionary to choose readings for other parts of the worship service. It can also be used to develop Sunday School lessons, Bible studies, or even guide the selection of music for the day. I have often used the lectionary to guide my devotional reading for the week.

The use of a lectionary doesn't need to be viewed as giving way to cold ritual or formalism. To the contrary, I have been amazed at how often the reading of a lection passage has precisely fit the need of the congregation on that particular day. There's nothing sacred about the lectionary. It's simply a tool that we can use to help guide our people to the Word of God in a way that will be intentional and comprehensive.
A number of different lectionaries are available. One that is widely used and has a very user-friendly format is The Revised Common Lectionary published by The Consultation on Common Texts. These are the reading selections that are included in the Preacher's Magazine. It is also available as a 128-page, paper-bound reference book from Abingdon Press (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1992, ISBN 0-687-36174-5). Or, you can view it online at http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/.
Check out the lectionary. You just might find it to be a useful tool in your careful pastoral work of facilitating the intersection of people's lives with the Word of God.