As a former full-time church musician who has had to listen to tens of thousands of sermons in his life, I was skeptical when I heard about Norman Graeter's readings at MS3: Well, it will be another happy-clappy positivism salesman in the simple-naïve style of the 50's in America according to the motto: Think positive and you will get rich.
But then I began to listen: Oha, the man is not concerned with his own material wealth and professional career. The man doesn't have to go around everything negative in life like a hot potato. The man can talk about setbacks, even serious ones like illness, disability and death, incorporate them into his concept according to the motto: "That's good! He doesn't have to avoid anything unpleasant, even when doubtful questions come from the audience.
And the solution is not to be reached in a hau-pressure procedure, but requires, for example, consistency. And paying attention to other people: Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF. Both steps are equal, you just have to take the first step.
In the end, Norman Graeter's statements are not far from basic church ideas. But he can present them charismatically, convincingly, sympathetically, credibly, passionately, enthusiastically and above all in a contemporary way. One really comes away from his lectures with renewed strength.
It gives me something to think that such people are not to be found (anymore) in today's church. Because what he says is actually something that could give help to many people who no longer have a goal and are afraid of death. Therefore - allow me the pun: "No (r) man Greater".
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