not what I was taught in Seminary

Tuesday May 14^th, Acts 16:  32-34 They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part. They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn't wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family. There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration. Grace given, Grace received.  This is God’s view of the of the new creation God called good brought to fruition in this home, this family, this night.  Sometimes we work so hard in the presentation of the message that we forget that the power in the message is the presence of Christ.  When everyone comes once a week to hear the pastor give the message, no matter how good or bad the message is, it can seem like the same thing over and over in different packages. In essence, it is.  God loves you and forgives you and saves you, now deal with it.  Sometimes there is a small crack in the defenses and the message gets through.  The message in church, however good, is never as good as one that comes to a person in a time of need hearing it from one person who happens to be there for them at that time.  Pastors should spend more time training others to respond to those moments than on eloquently telling the story again themselves.  Just think of it, a congregation of pastors who once a week gather around to celebrate with a teacher who is a piss poor preacher, and a congregation that grows.  This is not what I was taught in Seminary.  It is called the spirit.