The Changing Values of the Church # 8

The Value of Preaching, Part Two

I do appreciate the comments on my previous post and I regret that I have not been able to respond. Perhaps I'll integrate some responses into this and other posts.

I'll again say that my concern is not sermon length per se. My concern is a low view of preaching and a general intolerance for the exposition of the Word. This seeming intolerance may be reflected in today's increasing demand for shorter sermons.

I don't think the issue has anything to do with attention spans. We live in an increasingly educated society where a greater number than ever are continuing their education. This means sitting through hours of lectures for a number of years. People can do it if they're convinced that it will improve their lives.

I'm always bothered by the sentiment that it doesn't matter how a minister preaches as long as he's good with people. While I agree that a preacher should work hard to build relationships, he also needs to be a good preacher. So why might some have a low view of preaching? 

1) In our church culture, I think worship is increasingly viewed as being participatory. This is a good corrective to some extremes. Worship is not about being a passive observer. But I think some worship leaders are now accentuating the areas they feel are most participatory (i.e., singing and communion), possibly to the neglect of more Word-oriented activities. Some fail to realize that active listening is also participatory.

2) Some may have a low view of preaching because they've mostly been exposed to mediocre preaching. They haven't heard real biblical exposition that makes Scripture accessible and that connects with everyday life. They've heard soap boxes, rants, doctrinal lectures, denominational defenses, history lessons, and stand-up routines.

Now I don't claim to be the best preacher on earth and no one consistently bats a thousand. But I'm passionate about preaching and forever working toward the goal of perfecting the craft. I've come a long way, but I'm not where I eventually envision myself to be. I work as hard as I do because I see myself as a steward of God's treasure. I view preaching as a sacred trust, not to be handled flippantly or haphazardly.

3) Many are of the view that since preaching isn't what draws people to a church, or keeps them there, then it must not be too important. But who says that preaching makes no difference in drawing or keeping people? Many are starving for the Word.

I'll admit that I've been a member at churches where the preaching had nothing to do with why I was there. I was there because of relationships with the people, or because I felt needed, or because the worship was inspiring. So I admit that preaching isn't the whole package. But there have been at least two churches I've attended because I was drawn by the preaching. The sermons spoke to me so personally that I wondered if the preacher had access to my life on hidden camera. The sermon was the shot in the arm I needed each week. Preaching was not the only reason I stayed, but it was the reason I came.

And we must remember that people are wired differently. While we all need preaching, communion, and to sing songs of praise, there are different aspects of worship that speak to different people according to who they are and where they are. While the preaching is what's always done it for me, I'm not the only one in the congregation. And while preaching may not be what does it for you, it may be what keeps someone else encouraged.                     

Comments

[Darren Beachy]

Hi Wade,
I think preaching is important for sure. I think there needs to be a prophetic voice in preaching, which is lacking in some "white" churches today.
I wonder just how many are transformed by preaching. There is no dialogue in preaching, only monologue. I think there needs to be questions asked during the preaching event but that is not the way it happens today.

For example, I do not think for one second that Jesus "preached" the "sermon on the mount" all at one time. I believe they are a collection of teachings. Why? Because every one of those teachings are quite radical and go against the "status quo." Can you imagine preaching ALL of the "sermon on the mount"? WHAT? 'Blessed are the poor'? "Wait a minute...what does that mean?"

I once preached a lesson on the passage where Jesus as he was on his way to Jerusalem and a crowd was following him turned to them and said, "If anyone would come after me he must (hate) his family AND take up his cross and follow me" (my paraphrase). I addressed both of those issues in one sermon. All the feeback I received from the sermon the people said they could not quite grasp why Jesus said to (hate)one's family (although I tried my best to explain it in the sermon). Many could not get past the hating family part, let alone taking up ones cross.

So I think dialogue and not monologue is what is needed in preaching to be more effective. Will that happen? Probably not! I believe there is more transformation in seeing the Christian life lived in everyday life (one author calls this "parabolic witness")which happens in community (small groups and such).

[Frank]

Wade, I'm really enjoying these posts on preaching. I agree with you that churches should want and work for having a strong ministry of the Word. About preaching and why people are part of a certain church: For the first visit a person makes to a congregation, the most likely reason is an invitation from a family member or a friend. But when people come back a second time, it is connected to the quality of the preaching they heard the first time.

Preaching usually takes place in the context of worship. I believe that the spiritual quality of a worship time impacts how the message will be preached and heard. I always appreciate it when an entire worship time is planned out and conducted well. It shows that the leadership cares, that the congregation is serious about its faith. And the impact on the worshipper is often greater than the sum of the parts of the worship time. I believe that prayerfully-planned worship falls into the category of "considering how we can spur one another on to love and good works." The Scripture also says that by participating in the Lord's Supper the church proclaims Jesus' death until he comes. The church has a lot of choices to make in how its proclamation is made. Is it thoughtless, a mere habit? Not much of an announcement. Is it thoughtful, approached with high regard. That resounds.

[preacherman]

I want to encourage and build up the congregation on Sunday. I preach in a way that helps them live the Christian life Sunday to Sunday. When people leave they feel strengthened, encouraged and uplifted. I hope that I get them to think about their lives, change some things but I am mostly grace-oriented and preach a lot on God's love, grace, mercy, hope, compassion, forgiveness, how to deal with life problems and countless other topics that people need to hear in this 21st Century.

Wade, I know you are a great preach when I work with you in Kansas. You know the word, you have a passion for God and His word. I know you want people to know Jesus. I have seen it through your sermon and your life. Your sermons in Kansas helped keep me going brother. I pray for you always brother becuase you friendship and preaching has changed my life. Thank you brother for being such an encouragement to me. I hope you have a blessed week.
Kinney Mabry
Aka,
Preacherman! :-)

[preacherman]

I love your family and pray God's richest blessings on your life brother.

[Darin]

I'm listening and thinking.

Thanks for the messages.

[Josh from Gabbatha]

Great post. Have you heard any sermons from Jonathan Storment at RHCC?

[David D.]

"Preaching usually takes place in the context of worship. I believe that the spiritual quality of a worship time impacts how the message will be preached and heard. I always appreciate it when an entire worship time is planned out and conducted well. It shows that the leadership cares, that the congregation is serious about its faith. And the impact on the worshipper is often greater than the sum of the parts of the worship time. I believe that prayerfully-planned worship falls into the category of "considering how we can spur one another on to love and good works." The Scripture also says that by participating in the Lord's Supper the church proclaims Jesus' death until he comes. The church has a lot of choices to make in how its proclamation is made. Is it thoughtless, a mere habit? Not much of an announcement. Is it thoughtful, approached with high regard. That resounds."

I agree wholeheartedly with these comments. The "worship service" should be planned to coordinate with the sermon. Then it can enhance and build the mind to be ready for the message. Scripture readings should be a part of the worship--but they should relate to the sermon and/or the Communion. The time of Communion should always be emphasized. It is remembering what drew us there in the first place!

In most cases people [visitors] will return if they have worshipped even if the message is less than desirable in quality and presentation. But I doubt that many will return if the message is top grade but the worship in poor. [That's my 2 cents worth]

In regard to expository preaching--having "grown up in the church"--most of what I have experienced is topical. In fact the only consistent expository preaching encountered was while attending ACU and was done by Dr. Paul Faulkner on Sunday evenings at Minter Lane.
He would preach through books of the Bible and speak for 45 minutes and it always seemed only 15 minutes. He generally did a chapter at a time.

[Bobby Valentine]

Wade, I have misplaced your phone #. Give me a call on my cell ...

Seeking Shalom,
Bobby Valentine

[preacherman]

Wade,
I hope you had a great earth day! :-)