Reflecting on Truisms

So far I have listed some details about preaching that may be held to be generally true. But several comments I have received (on-line and from elsewhere) have made it clear that this exercise has been rather shallow. The list reveals all too a human point-of-view! #1 is about how preachers think of themselves, and #2 says they find critique difficult; #3 & 4 stress how we tend to stick to preferences and comfort zones; #5 asserts how preaching always has needy hearers. I am sure we could go on adding other self-evident truths about the act of preaching in our experience but it is all too much about our experience.

This little list has forced me to address "truths" about preaching from God's point of view. Identifying some big picture facts about preaching from Scripture should set these truisms in perspective. It's easy to start with preaching as we practice it and create a list for discussion. But what about seeing what God intends preaching to be! What is the divine list?

I am not quite sure where this will take us but let's see what happens. As always, your insights are welcome.

Preaching Truism (5)

I am not sure how many more of my ideas about preaching justify being called truisms: “self-evident truths”! I have a few other suggestions but sense they may be straying into needlessly provocative territory. For example, a gifted preacher commented that it is a self-evident truth that most pastors do not welcome other effective preachers into their pulpits. He is an itinerant preacher and says his main opportunities only happen during interim periods!

However, I am sure that at least one more deserves mention: 5) Preaching always has needy hearers. By needy, I mean that preachers should first recognize that some listeners need to hear the good news of the gospel (some perhaps for the first time). Richard Baxter’s plea sounds out urgently: “Preach as dying man to dying men.” Preachers should beware of trivial pursuits.

But also some listeners come with deep troubles needing comfort. Wrote William Barclay: “Whoever else will be at the service, there will be someone with a broken heart.” He goes on to remind us that the Greek word for comfort also means encourage and he commends the Moffatt translation of John 4:4 when Eliphaz says to Job: “Your words have kept men on their feet.” As he says: “In any service there should be that word of comfort which will keep men and women on their feet!”

Preaching always has needy hearers.

Preaching Truism (4)

I was struck by the comment to my last posting:

Tragically, some audiences have arrived at the mistaken conclusion that the spiritual depth of the message is determined by the pattern. Thus, a sermon in a more exegetical format is deemed to be filled with spiritual depth and insight; whereas ...a sermon filled with narrative is often deemed to be shallow, empty. If we are going to stretch ourselves as preachers, we must find creative ways to educate the church.

This led me to another truism: (4) Many congregations fall into one preferred pattern of listening. Again "fall into" does not mean laziness (though it can be!) but rather the habit formed over time often influenced by previous preachers or a church tradition that has developed. As an itinerant preacher I am always grateful for descriptions about the kind of church I am visiting and its expectations. Sensitivity is a must for visiting preachers! Yet, sometimes the details are rigorous. For example, "The sermon lasts between 40 and 45 minutes and you need to supply a fill-out form for the congregation to use." I have actually been corrected by one church because I did not follow the rules accurately enough! Is there a danger that a congregation can become too prescriptive of style and even a little bit self-righteous that their sermons are more biblical than that other church down the road? That spiritual depth is assumed because of the package? That biblical preaching is only acceptable in one mode? Can congregations become so comfortable with one pattern that they miss the newness of God's word? Yesterday, in class, one of my students said that he belonged within the preaching style of his sending church. He has to follow the "teaching verse-by-verse style" otherwise he is unacceptable at home. This led to discussion about how congregations sometimes put preachers in straight-jackets. I think some of us preachers are happy to oblige! But how best do we respond to the rich variety of God's communication in Scripture? I agree with the opening comment: "We must find ways creative ways to educate the church about different ways of doing biblical preaching!" How would your congregation respond?

Preaching truism (2)

Let me emphasize again that these truisms are not intended to beat up us preachers! Rather they express common truths about the way we behave, and should alert us to where we can improve.

The next truism builds upon the first. 2. Most preachers find constructive criticism difficult to receive. Of course, most people find any kind of criticism difficult to accept because it often seems to come at the wrong time from the wrong people. Yet, the public act of preaching makes genuine feedback ESSENTIAL. Unless preachers actively seek honest feedback from some, whose love for God and for the preacher qualifies them to "speak the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15), they can easily stagnate.

Is this easy? Oh no. Perhaps preachers are some of the most vulnerable communicators because they speak on God's authority from his Book to such widely diverse hearers. Yes, the Holy Spirit gives words and applies truths but too easily the flesh of the preacher can obscure the glory of God. None have enough breadth of experience or depth of insight to be able to relate to everyone, but when we allow others to critique us (lovingly and prayerfully) on the preaching journey we can grow by their help.

I have blogged before about this need for preachers to be open to others. I have been told that it is different for me because I am teaching students in seminary who expect honest feedback. But do we really think that a couple of classes in seminary has given us enough feedback for a lifetime of habit-forming? Do you think this truism is justified?

Preaching Truisms (1)

I have often thought about compiling a list of truisms about preachers and preaching. I don't want them to sound unkind or cynical, but rather reflect the common condition. One of my advantages over the last few years has been a wider exposure to other people's views of preaching and these insights need to be incorporated. But I reckon on just enough self-awareness to be able to apply these to myself.

So what is the first truism? 1. Most preachers regard themselves as above average. Most of us who preach regularly know we are not five-star preachers, but we still have a pretty healthy regard for our ability. In a survey of preachers conducted by a professor friend of mine, all responded that preaching was one of their main gifts. However, this was not evident when listening to many of them!

By definition average denotes that some fall below as well as above in gifting. Recognizing this fact, and the possibility that we might even be below average, is the first step to developing God's gift further. We should reflect humbly that improvement is always possible and often needed! The applause of well-meaning people should never allow us to exaggerate the status quo.

I guess you can argue that preachers need some self-assurance to undertake the calling (which God promises) but honest self-assessment is too often awol. Do you think this is a fair observation?