Usually I do a brief exposition and major application with one of the lessons (usually Gospel or epistle). I do short comments on the other lessons, or tie them into the other lessons.

Chapel I am almost entirely doing short expositions or topical. 20 minutes, and 60% unbelievers, it’s a lot of evangelism and apologetics

This is something I noticed when my girlfriend and I first started visiting other churches. I remember many in the Baptist church seemed to believe one could gauge the spiritual quality of a church by how many people brought their Bibles into the service. Visiting churches with a lectionary tradition brought me to the realization that the people didn’t need to have their own Bibles; they actually heard more Scripture reading during the liturgies (including, of course, the lessons) that one was likely to hear at a Baptist church. Regardless of whether the preacher even attempted to talk about the lessons, the Scriptures were still read.

And, personally, if I spend the whole sermon flipping through my Bible to check the Scriptural references given by the pastor (which seemed to be one reason given for why we should have our Bibles at church), I’m not actually listening to the sermon.

And a question: you said you do topical preaching, yourself. Do you do this in the Soli Deo services, or just in chapel at school? If in the Soli Deo services, I’m curious how that works.

Also, in reference to addominum’s comment, “it always struck me as strange that one man’s vanity took precedence over every other aspect of corporate Christian worship;” I’ve found my passion to go into ministry dimmed somewhat since I’ve started attending an Eastern Orthodox church. Ministry there seems rather different from the Baptists; less leading and more serving. It would appear that my former desire to go into ministry was a desire for, well, celebrity. Thank God, whether I end up joining with the Orthodox or not, He has shown me true ministry, and my true heart.