I have heard more than my fair share of strange preaching habits over the years, but nothing that I can place in the same category as the exercising preacher.
Chris Townsend, pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church (Lodi, CA), believes he is the first pastor to regularly deliver his sermon while exercising. So far he has preached using a yoga ball, riding a stationary bike, and even while walking on a treadmill.
So What?
Townsend was inspired by members of his congregation to work on his physical fitness. As the result of his workouts, he has now lost 35 pounds. While he hopes to model healthy living by how he preaches and by making available fitness equipment in the church, he is also a Christian minister. Townsend’s “main message is to be physically and spiritually fit”.
While I applaud Townsend’s call to physical and spiritual fitness, I question his methodology.
- Do you think Townsend’s preaching while exercising is an effective way to encourage physical and spiritual fitness? an appropriate way to do so? Explain.
- How would you feel if your pastor preached while exercising?