Writing about my call to ministry reminded me of my first chance to give a sermon in the Methodist Church. A small church in Kaplan, Louisiana, needed a fill-in speaker for one Sunday. Their pastor had been injured when the church bell fell and struck him on the head. Fortunately, he survived and only needed some time to recover.
I remember several things about that first sermon:
One, I did not know how to prepare a sermon. My sermon consisted of me reading a Bible story and then talking about the story. The minister’s wife was present, and she told me I had done a good job.
Two, I remember how beautiful the church building was. Some of the attendees sat in the loft and I felt as though I was preaching to a large congregation.
And last but not least, I recall that I felt peaceful while delivering my message — something I did not expect to feel.
That was over forty years ago. As I look back on years of pastoring, radio and television ministry, camp meetings and tent revivals, I truly am thankful that I had those opportunities to share my faith.