Pastor Links Sermons to Rocker Tom Petty

ERMA — The music of rocker Tom Petty is not generally thought of as the topic of Sunday sermons and his hit songs are not generally played in church.
Those passing by the intersection of Seashore and Tabernacle roads may have noticed “The Gospel & Tom Petty,” posted as the sermon title on Tabernacle United Methodist Church’s sign.
Rev. Michael P. Smith, age 32, grew up with the music of Tom Petty as did almost anyone who has listened to rock ‘n roll radio since Petty’s debut album in 1976. Smith said he was inspired to start the series after watching a Tom Petty concert on television.
Certain lyrics from Petty’s songs caught the pastor’s attention, items that were biblical truths. He said while Petty probably did not intend to communicate Biblical truth, “I found my faith nurtured by his poetry and how he expressed certain themes.”
“All truth is God’s truth,” continued Smith.
Smith’s 11 weeks of sermons this summer each use a different Petty song, which began with “Free Falling” on July 3 and wrapping up the series on Sept. 11 with “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” The sermons begin with a snippet of a Petty song played from a CD.
As an example, in Petty’s song “The Refugee,” the lyric tells the listener “You don’t have to live like a refugee.” Smith found a link to the Bible’s story of the prodigal son and Ephesians 2:11-22, speaking of how salvation breaks down barriers and walls of hostility.
Smith said the Bible also speaks of how to treat a stranger in the land.
How do his congregation’s most senior members relate to Petty? Smith said some were not familiar with the blonde-haired rock star and some members asked, “What in the world are you doing?”
Half way through the sermon series, some church members have told Smith they began downloading Petty’s music to preview his next sermon. He listed all the song titles in advance.
Smith said preparing the Petty sermons have been among the most creative and fun experiences he has experienced as a pastor. He said the sermons show how the message of Jesus Christ translates into everyday life.
Smith recalls as a child listening to “Breakfast with the Beatles” on the radio while riding to church with his mother. The lives of many of the rock n’ roll generation were shaped more by the themes of John Lennon than the Apostle John or Paul McCartney rather than the Apostle Paul, said Smith.
Smith said God can speak truth to an individual and may use a random person to do so.
“We’ve seen a lot of people this summer begin to decide to give church a second chance,” he said.
Smith said his sermons are presenting the gospel, hence the title “The Gospel & Tom Petty.” Those attracted by the sermon title have come into the church and found people there who will love them and not judge them, he said.
“People have responded by saying ‘I want to give God a second chance in my life,’” said Smith.
What would Smith say to Petty if he met the rock star?
“You can say things in a much more creative way than I ever could,” Smith said he’d tell Petty.
Smith said he would also tell Petty that he helped communicate love, truth and beauty in a way that has supplemented and helped connect his life with Biblical truth, which has helped him grow in his faith.
The Petty song “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” connects to Tabernacle United Methodist Church’s 208th anniversary and where the church hopes to be in 2020, said Smith. He said the church has a dream to see lives changed, to see the community transformed and to see the church renewed.
“We want people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ,” said Smith.