That's
the world we're called to preach to. We have an incredible opportunity. We are
meshing and blending right now our modern world with a postmodern world. The
world I was educated in, the world you were educated in, most everybody reading
this article were educated in is history C it's over. I just read the
other day that all the accumulated knowledge in world history is going to double
in the next five years. We are already in a postmodern world, and it's a time
of great possibility for those of us who can translate the gospel in a contemporary
way. It's a time of horrible problems for those who are still locked in a time
warp in the 1950's or 60's, trying to translate the Gospel in that manner. .
. .
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The
apostles were engaging the same kind of culture we are C a godless, pagan culture.
That's what America is. And they weren't trying to be cute about it. They went
in, and the power of God came on them, and the power of God is what brought
all of this about. When we return to that and bring back a balance into our
preaching, we can see something happen.
__________________________
At
the time of this interview, O.S. Hawkins was Senior Pastor of First Baptist
Church in Dallas, TX. He now serves as President of Guidestone Financial Resources
of the Southern Baptist Convention.
I
realize that in preaching if I'm not where the people are and not engaged with
them, then I'm probably not going to connect with them. God has given me a love
for people ‑ to reach out to people and be reached by people. I love people.
So when I became a pastor, I was engaged with the people their families from
the very beginning: hospitals, weddings, deaths, standing around afterwards
shaking hands. Having coffee, eating lunch or dinner with them just was part
of my routine. I did not know any better. I thought that was what you did.
Then
as the churches grew that I was in, I tried to keep that connection and it became
more difficult because your leadership role changes. You become more of a vision
caster, the administration piles up. The fact that you've been at a place a
certain amount of time, it's kind of like a snow ball. You get more people that
want you to write a letter of recommendation for them or they want to get into
school. You get more of that just by being there C you get asked to do more
things. But I still realize that I can't pastor or preach to these people if
I don't keep doing this. So I find some other ways to try to stay connected.
For instance, after the services, I'm usually the last one to leave. Not always,
but usually I'll stand around on Sundays and Wednesdays just to be with the
people. They know I'm there. Or I will have a reception line where people can
come by. But I am going to be available. If somebody wants to tell me something
or introduce family or a friend, I want to be there. . . .