Monday 1st November 2004
From the Letters Page of the November 1971 Oxford Diocesan Magazine:
What a lot of nonsense there is about sermonising in the ODM.
As one, who for more than forty years has been reporting sermons preached by clergy of all denominations on every conceivable occasion, it is indisputable that the parson of today is either incapable or makes very little effort to fulfil this very important part of his ministry.
Usually it is the five-minute mumble at the parish or family communion service, or the twenty-minute waffle at Matins or Evensong. No wonder congregations are so small.
No-one, least of all he who attends C. of E. services, expects an Edmund Burke in the pulpit, but there should be at least coherence, sincerity and audibility.
The addresses of Bishop Loveday on every occasion, and particularly when he was taking duty in a country parish church, provided a model for all to emulate.
The clergy have only themselves to blame for the present situation.
John Owen, Oxford