This is a brief slot (2-3 minutes) where someone reads a favourite piece of preferably, but not necessarily, biblical text. It could also be a piece of fiction or non-fiction, poetry, or extrabiblical text. While it began as an attempt to hear more biblical text in our morning services, it has become broader and now can’t be reigned in!
It may stand alone or be introduced or followed by a brief explanation of why it is significant to the reader, and/or the context it comes from. It’s important for the reader to understand that this is not the sermon part of the service and that an explanation or exegesis of the text is not wanted.
Readers often have the text printed on an overhead transparency or in the newsletter, so that people can see as well as hear the text, and can take it away with them. In terms of our roster for the morning service, this slot is currently the most popular. New people find it a low-key way into participating in leading our worship.
Usually children leave after the Hot Text for a 30-40 minute Children’s Space programme.