Every parent’s longing

One of my very first sermons was a 6,800-word Easter preach that tried to do everything.

Resurrection apologetic? Check. Whirlwind tour of redemptive history? Had to. Atonement and union with Christ? Can’t have one without the other. A few personal stories chucked in for good measure? Of course. Leaving out anything felt like a sin of omission. If everything didn’t happen, nothing would. As I gathered my copious notes from the pulpit after the service, I was approached by a retired naval commander known throughout the church for his ministry of encouragement. This Sunday, however, the encouragement was charged with admonishment. ‘Next time,’ he said, ‘say everything you just said – but with half the words.’

Less is more

When it comes to clear communication, less is almost always more. This is as true for films as it is for sermons. Like a bloated exposition, modern films frequently try to do far too much. They are overburdened with ideas and images, leaving audiences exhausted and even relieved by the time the credits roll. (Here’s looking at you, Marvel Cinematic Universe.) It is increasingly rare to find a film focused on a single objective, undistracted by anything other than the one thing it has set out to accomplish.