Golden Mouth

John Chrysostom was known as the golden-mouthed preacher. His preaching attracted thousands to the SUNDAY services of his time. My preaching attracts about 110 adults per Sunday but about 90 adults were regular worshippers before I came in a pastor. There has been a small increase in attendance since early December averaging 110 adults. Yesterday I saw the back benches filled to the full with a couple of vacant seats in front. In fact as I went up to preach the second front row was filled with new people.

Though some were a bit shy to raise their hands or fill in visitors’ cards but I saw at least 15 faces that I had never seen since 7 weeks ago. I joked with the church yesterday that though it has been less than 2 months as pastor I have been doing most of the preaching. Interestingly I received 6 or 7 commendations yesterday for my sermon. Even great sermons only one or two would thank me and said “good message” or “i am blessed with the sermon”. With so many commenting the sermon must have hit a note. I talked about marriage, divorce and remarriage and Jesus’ clear commands about committing adultery in remarriage and doubly so when one marries a divorced man or woman. 

One former deacon told me that among the circles he moved in it was a trend of “Christians” getting divorced and remarrying and the worst thing is that there is no shame or sorrow as if it is as casual as changing one’s shirt though my readers would know that it is not as simple as that. Our church tiktok account attracted 1,400 views yesterday and the sermon streamed live over facebook has more than 500 views and 25 likes though I am not sure those tuning in listened to the sermon in part or in whole.