I graduated seminary with an immodest opinion of my preaching prowess. I imagined congregants hanging on my every word. The stirring homilies would save sinners, sanctify saints, and transform communities.

Four decades later I possess a more realistic estimation of homiletical results. I have witnessed congregants sleep through stirring sermons. Members have complimented and chastised me over words I never spoke. The Holy Spirit still speaks in, thru, and despite me.

I have developed the Bill Burch Sermon Accretion Theory. Accretion refers to the incremental accumulation of material over an extended period. Growth occurs unnoticed until one compares the past and present.

Our granddaughter accompanied us on a recent beach trip. We enjoyed building sand castles, using her plastic toys to form a base before drizzling the structure with watery sand. Most of the sand drops washed away; but some grains remained. The structure slowly rose.

Preaching sometimes feels like building a drip sandcastle. Progress occurs one drop, dribble, and drizzle at a time. Thanks be to our God who provides the water and sand.

The church celebrates its birthday on Pentecost Sunday, May 19. Acts 2 describes the Holy Spirit descending upon the assembled apostles. Christ fulfilled his promise of heavenly power, which enabled the church to make disciples of all nations.  

The United Methodist Hymnal contains An Invitation to the Holy Spirit. Let us make the prayer a part of our personal devotions this week.

O God, the Holy Spirit,

come to us, and among us;

come as the wind, and cleanse us;

come as the fire, and burn;

come as the dew, and refresh;

convict, convert, and consecrate

many hearts and lives

to our great good

and to thy greater glory;

and this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Amen.

I spoke at a high school baccalaureate service in the 1990s. Rather than a typical address, I brought a camo fanny pack used for deer hunting. I discussed the meaning of the pack’s contents, including a whistle, compass, knife, bandage, and lighter.

My best friend and fellow pastor, Glenn Ethridge, developed the idea into a creative series of Graduate Sunday sermons. He dressed up as different characters each May and shared Godly wisdom with the congregation’s seniors.

I decided to reborrow the idea at Northside Church. I have spoken to our high school seniors on the first Sunday of May wearing various guises:

• 2018    Camos and boots with my original hunting pack
• 2019    Two Atlanta Braves jerseys featuring a pro’s name and my own
• 2020    Suit and tie delivering a David Letterman Top 10 List
• 2021    1970s, 100% polyester, bright orange, leisure suit
• 2022    State Farm’s Mayhem with black suit, tie-bar, bruises, and bandages
• 2023    Top Gun’s Maverick flight suit

This year’s sermon is “Indiana Jones and the High School Graduation.” Check out the Northside Church’s social media platforms for videos starring yrs trly as Harrison Ford’s younger body double.

I hope you’ll join us onsite or online this Sunday, May 5 at the 9:00 Contemporary Service as we honor our seniors. Visit the church’s website for the live stream at www.northsideumc.org. The sermon will be archived for future viewing, too.

If Adventure has a name, it must be Buckhead Burch!