Patrick Allen–"Possibly the worst illustration in the long history of Pentecost preaching?"

Those are his words, not mine–see what you think; KSH.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Episcopal Church (TEC), Parish Ministry, Pentecost, Preaching / Homiletics, TEC Parishes

14 comments on “Patrick Allen–"Possibly the worst illustration in the long history of Pentecost preaching?"

  1. John Wilkins says:

    The publicist metaphor is pretty good. But he’d need to spend a little more time convincing me if his point was that Jesus was like Hulk Hogan.

    But I do think there is a whole movement that believes the latter.

    A good sermon.

  2. samh says:

    Definitely not the worst.

  3. Bruce says:

    You go with what you’ve got . . . .

  4. Knapsack says:

    Y’know, the fact that he said it himself kind of blunts the impact of its awfulness — I kind of like it.

  5. David Wilson says:

    Awesome! Now if he would have projected that great pic of the Hulkster on the dual screens located on each side of the sanctuary it really would have brought the point home

  6. Undergroundpewster says:

    I liked it.

    Just thinking back to a man I saw preaching on the street one day. He was declaring the news that someone had not died but was alive. He was not trying to promte himself but that someone else. Surely he must have been drunk…

  7. Shay + says:

    Spud (AKA Patrick Allen) is a great preacher, exegeting the culture and the scripture with great ease!
    Was it the Miley of Disney Channel fame who received the sacrament of Baptism? Your godchild must know.

  8. Grandmother says:

    I loved it… The Holy Spirit as “publicist” why not?
    And, I’ll never forget the mental picture of Fr. Clarke’s beret flying off at the mention of Calvin..
    Would trade the sermon I heard Sunday, any day….
    Grandmother

  9. evan miller says:

    I thought it an excellent sermon.

  10. Fr. Dow Sanderson says:

    Shay… I must admit I said a silent “O brother” when I found that baptismal candidate was named “Miley”… but when the godmother answered to the question NAME THIS CHILD: “Miley Nicole Cyrus…I mean..DuRoss” …I was completely undone. That, and my curate’s Hulk Hogan sermon in one day! I’m comin’ Elizabeth!

  11. New Reformation Advocate says:

    I kinda liked the humorous analogy too. It’s certainly memorable, even unforgettable. Which is more than I can say about most sermon illustrations I’ve heard, or used myself.

    Fr. Sanderson (#10),
    Thanks for sharing that. I’d have cracked up after such a hilarious quip by the godmother. I’ll bet the whole congregation ate it up. Obviously, as rector, you’ve cultivated an atmosphere where laughter is OK in church. Bravo!

    David Handy+

  12. Patrick S. Allen+ says:

    For the record, I’ve used much worse illustrations myself, just not on Pentecost. Regarding #1 above, the illustration drew an analogy between the publicist and the the Holy Ghost, not between Hulk Hogan and our Lord. In such an analogy the obvious choice would have been Dusty Rhodes or, perhaps, Mr. Wrestling #2. As to sweet little Miley, I told myself it must be a diminutive in honor of St. Milburga, or possibly of St. Mildgyth or St. Mildred (they were sisters) – run that by my god daughter, Shay.

  13. Grandmother says:

    Publist/Cheerleader? Fr. Allen. both are wonderful analogies. Makes me smile to think of it. Keep up the good preaching! Come visit us in St. Stephen again when you can..
    Grandmother

  14. Fr. Dale says:

    #12. Patrick S. Allen+ you go pretty far back with Mr. Wrestling #2. and Dusty Rhodes. I once commented on Stand Firm that an intellectual snob would have to Google Randy Macho Man Savage. I think Sarah Hey was the only one honest enough to admit it.