As I began my sermon preparation for our Sunday worship service this week, I felt strongly led to read the Scriptures listed in the lectionary for the third Sunday in Lent. As I read all of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, it seemed like the “finger” of the Holy Spirit glided across every passage. I knew that I wanted to respond to an earlier letter from a pastor about the use of the lecitonary, but this week's study spurred me to do it now. If, as he wrote, the lectionary were the sermons of another I would not give it much thought. However, the lectionary is just a listing of the Old and New Testament Scriptures to be read on a particular day in the Christian church year.
Even though they don't always align in such perfect patterns, they are still part of the God-breathed Word and should be dealt with as such. The lectionary should never replace the overarching guidance of the Holy Spirit. Shopworn sermons of great preachers should not replace the hard work of a serious pastor charged with the mandate to “rightly handle the Word of truth.”
Do I use the lectionary for the current Christian year? Yes. Would I recommend it as a tool? Yes. Do I recommend it as a way to avoid the Saturday evening panic? Yes. Is the lectionary one of many tools in the minister's library? Yes. Is it a substitute for hard work, much prayer and skillful word-crafting? No. Can I set it aside to preach in other directions? Absolutely, since it is only a tool; it is not the Holy Spirit. If one believes in the inspired Word of God, a lectionary might become a trusted friend.
Don Campbell, Shacklefords