During my time as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, we were privileged to do a television show called, “On Main Street.” The primary purpose of the program was to connect with viewers outside the church and show the relevance of biblical faith for living. As we prepared the scripts for each broadcast, we constantly asked the question, “W.I.I.F.M.?”
What’s in it for me? That may strike you as a selfish question to ask, but we all ask, “What’s in it for me?” You don’t stick with a TV program or a hobby or a computer game or whatever unless there’s some reason that compels you to participate. I ask my students to always ask the W.I.I.F.M. question as they prepare their sermons. What will the preacher say that will make me, the listener, sit up and pay attention? Is he going to bring the Word of God to me in a way that not only points me to heaven but also helps me in this often difficult life? I’ve found that a hard lesson to teach young seminarians. Hopefully their post-Seminary degree from the University of Hard Knocks will help them prepare sermons that are spiritually helpful and eternally faithful.
Unless you’re the preacher, you sit in the pews. Ask, W.I.I.F.M.? Is your honest answer that the church is your nice, comfy ritual? Or is your answer, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” (John 6:68) What makes you participate?
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