In his opening chapter for the book he edited, Preach the Word, Greg Haslam lists eight reason why preaching is ailing. Here are the first four with a summary of his point for your consideration:
1. Some are too busy. The busy schedule of hectic ministry and social life is simply keeping some people out of the study.
2. Some are too lazy. Stott is quoted as giving a minimum preparation time of one hour for every five minutes of message. For those that aren’t willing to give at least that time, their preaching will suffer.
3. Some are too ambitious. By this he refers to climbing an ecclesiastical ladder of success (one which demands much in the way of networking, but at the expense of direct preparation). This ladder, it may turn out, leans against the wrong wall, because of how God defines success.
4. Some are too nervous. These are too afraid to speak the truth because they might be disliked or alienated by their congregation (or, I might add, by some key individuals in the congregation).
Schedule check time. Heart check time. Is your preaching ailing because of factors such as these? Tomorrow, four more.
