When preachers get it wrong

Jeff Lucas on having to apologise for a thoughtless comment made while in the pulpit

The thought was buzzing around my brain like a pesky mosquito. I’d tried to swat it away in vain. And now I was sweating, not least because this crisis was happening in the middle of the sermon, there were thousands in the congregation and I was the preacher. Nearing the end of the talk, I uttered those words that are music to the ears of most congregants: “And now, in conclusion…” Those of us who preach and teach often say: “Finally…” or “As I finish…” We do that to give people hope.

My brain was divided because I knew that I needed to end my talk in a rather unusual way. A few minutes earlier, I had made an impromptu remark, and the moment I uttered it, I regretted it. My comment had been harsh and laced with sarcasm, and now I knew what was ahead. I had to land the talk, pray and then double back to that thoughtless comment, withdraw it and ask everyone for forgiveness. I followed what I sensed was a nudge from the Holy Spirit, expressed my regret and apologised.