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Sunday, June 06, 2010
Preaching quote
"The whole concept of 'preaching' as necessarily involving taking a particular text and then developing it for a half hour or more is more a learned activity than one which is directed by NT example." -- Mike McInnis
Likely true...but then again, "New Testament preachers" didn't have the completed Word (or for many centuries the 66 books of the Bible bound as one volume) to preach from as a reference.
But I agree that the "craft of preaching" (always alliterating, outlining, sub-points,etc.) has seemingly developed into an "art form" when it should be Spirit-led.
It is certainly sad that preaching has evolved into a mere art form. Many are now employing different techniques to try and "connect" with a congregation. I would surmise this is largely due the modern day church goer who may find a solid and inspiring message otherwise too boring. I would blame the many external factors in society as perhaps lessening the attention span of an individual. I guess they have too many other things on their mind.
You might could compare it to news broadcasting and reporting of late. The phrase of "dumbing it down by tarting it up," was used recently to describe the efforts by the media to reach the younger generation. I would certainly agree with this. there was a time when you could get more news in 15 minutes than what it takes some to present in 3 hours now. And so much of it is absolute garbage which is not newsworthy to begin with. Today it seems that some preachers resemble stand-up comics more than anything else.
The greatest semenary in the world can not make an effective minister if they are not Spirit-led and their intentions are right. I have noticed that some prefer to use the term "teaching" rather than "preaching" as of late. But are they really teaching to start with?
I recall a conversation with an older minister quite a few years back on this subject. He thought the time would come when preaching as we know it would vanish all together. That time may be coming sooner than we think.
Preaching (as all would agree) is the method God uses to reach the lost when one is called of God, relies on the Holy Spirit, and preaches the Word of God in truth and not one's own interpretation. However, I have to agree with Bro. Adrian that you can get caught up in alliteration, or illustration, human logic or psychology, comedy, or any other thing and not depend on God. A good read would be 1 Corinthians 2.
Beyond just being annoyed by the turning of preaching into a business and a craft, I do think Mike McInnis has a point.
The incidents recorded in the New Testament we mostly obviously think of as sermons took place generally in a public and/or evangelistic setting and were not particularly expository. The meetings of the church seem to be more interactive and less "lecture-like".
Bro. R.L., I see what you are saying. I think, however, the difference between the sermons we see in the Scriptures and the sermons today is that their sermons were more revelatory and ours is explanatory. They were instruments used of God to reveal His message. We are servants of God to explain the revelation that has already been given. I am in complete agreement with you about turning preaching into a "business." In my opinion, we do not need pulpiteers. We need preachers of the Word.
On YouTube (be careful there) there are some very good public preachers. Some are a bit kooky, of course, but if you type in a search such as "public preaching" and go particularly to guys who try to preach on college campuses, you will see preachers who are verbally attacked almost immediately. Some are good at briefly responding and continuing preaching and others are not.
Street preaching can also be a search. This was some of the type preaching I guess you are talking about Bro. Robert.
Bro. Adrian, I would say yes, encompasses, but not limited to, that. To state my main point plainer is that I think in general preachers spend too much time lecturing and not enough time interacting with the congregation. Some of it is needed -- there needs to be plain uninterrupted Bible exposition. Some of it is tradition -- it has always been done that way. Some of it is "comfort zone" or dictatorial power -- who wants to be challenged on what they're teaching? Just put it out there and walk away. Some of it is ego -- some preachers are enamored with the sound of their own voice. (Hope that makes sense.)
I think there is also some element related to what Brother Copeland mentioned -- a sense in which our preaching cannot be like the apostles. Their preaching, at least some of it, was by direct inspiration and they were revealing truths in a dogmatic way that we cannot.
8 comments:
Likely true...but then again, "New Testament preachers" didn't have the completed Word (or for many centuries the 66 books of the Bible bound as one volume) to preach from as a reference.
But I agree that the "craft of preaching" (always alliterating, outlining, sub-points,etc.) has seemingly developed into an "art form" when it should be Spirit-led.
I am not sure I can agree with that quote, especially in light of Nehemiah 8:8.
It is certainly sad that preaching has evolved into a mere art form. Many are now employing different techniques to try and "connect" with a congregation. I would surmise this is largely due the modern day church goer who may find a solid and inspiring message otherwise too boring. I would blame the many external factors in society as perhaps lessening the attention span of an individual. I guess they have too many other things on their mind.
You might could compare it to news broadcasting and reporting of late. The phrase of "dumbing it down by tarting it up," was used recently to describe the efforts by the media to reach the younger generation. I would certainly agree with this. there was a time when you could get more news in 15 minutes than what it takes some to present in 3 hours now. And so much of it is absolute garbage which is not newsworthy to begin with. Today it seems that some preachers resemble stand-up comics more than anything else.
The greatest semenary in the world can not make an effective minister if they are not Spirit-led and their intentions are right. I have noticed that some prefer to use the term "teaching" rather than "preaching" as of late. But are they really teaching to start with?
I recall a conversation with an older minister quite a few years back on this subject. He thought the time would come when preaching as we know it would vanish all together. That time may be coming sooner than we think.
Preaching (as all would agree) is the method God uses to reach the lost when one is called of God, relies on the Holy Spirit, and preaches the Word of God in truth and not one's own interpretation. However, I have to agree with Bro. Adrian that you can get caught up in alliteration, or illustration, human logic or psychology, comedy, or any other thing and not depend on God. A good read would be 1 Corinthians 2.
Beyond just being annoyed by the turning of preaching into a business and a craft, I do think Mike McInnis has a point.
The incidents recorded in the New Testament we mostly obviously think of as sermons took place generally in a public and/or evangelistic setting and were not particularly expository. The meetings of the church seem to be more interactive and less "lecture-like".
Bro. R.L., I see what you are saying. I think, however, the difference between the sermons we see in the Scriptures and the sermons today is that their sermons were more revelatory and ours is explanatory. They were instruments used of God to reveal His message. We are servants of God to explain the revelation that has already been given. I am in complete agreement with you about turning preaching into a "business." In my opinion, we do not need pulpiteers. We need preachers of the Word.
On YouTube (be careful there) there are some very good public preachers. Some are a bit kooky, of course, but if you type in a search such as "public preaching" and go particularly to guys who try to preach on college campuses, you will see preachers who are verbally attacked almost immediately. Some are good at briefly responding and continuing preaching and others are not.
Street preaching can also be a search. This was some of the type preaching I guess you are talking about Bro. Robert.
Bro. Adrian, I would say yes, encompasses, but not limited to, that. To state my main point plainer is that I think in general preachers spend too much time lecturing and not enough time interacting with the congregation. Some of it is needed -- there needs to be plain uninterrupted Bible exposition. Some of it is tradition -- it has always been done that way. Some of it is "comfort zone" or dictatorial power -- who wants to be challenged on what they're teaching? Just put it out there and walk away. Some of it is ego -- some preachers are enamored with the sound of their own voice. (Hope that makes sense.)
I think there is also some element related to what Brother Copeland mentioned -- a sense in which our preaching cannot be like the apostles. Their preaching, at least some of it, was by direct inspiration and they were revealing truths in a dogmatic way that we cannot.
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