To lectionary or not to lectionary

In my newest church, I was told that past ministers have
used the lectionary but the preference would be not to be glued to it,
and so for the first time in my ministry I have gone "off lectionary." I
have to say it is completely refreshing and reinvigorating for me, and
the congregation seems to be liking it as well. I am now into my second
sermon series and it's done a lot to allow me to sort of set down my
own theology and thinking at the beginning of my ministry here.

In addition, I find that I am doing a lot more
independent research and reading for each sermon than I ever did using
the lectionary. As someone who loves to read and study, this has been a
huge strength and can see the benefits in my own spiritual life and
disciples. While I still use different commentaries they are coming at
the very end just to make sure I didn't miss anything that might be
important, rather than being what I sort of start my thinking around.

I also find that my sermons are longer (and then are cut
down) as I have a lot more to say then I did with the lectionary
readings. This is then generating ideas for new sermon series. For
example, on September 11, I did use the lectionary readings for that day
on forgiveness, and after sitting down to write that sermon came up
with at least 4-5 different sermons that could be preached about
forgiveness. Now I know you could also do this with the lectionary, but
it would take you a long time to accomplish and would be a little
disjointed because, unless you are using the Hebrew scripture or the
epistle, the themes tend to change too often.

As I am building out ideas into the future I still
reference the lectionary readings to see if they match, and will
obviously keep themes matching the seasons of the church, in particular
for Advent and Lent, but not using it all the time, for the moment, has
made a huge difference in not only what I am preaching on and how I am
preaching, but even how I am approaching my sermons, and I like the
difference.