Over time words can change their meaning and the connotations attached to them.  This is true of both “expository” and “preaching.”  As you probably noticed, gone are the days when the preacher in town was highly respected and appreciated by all.  Today there are many who view the whole concept of preaching very negatively.  As preachers we might be tempted to avoid the term.  Maybe in some circles that might be a good idea.  For instance, when interacting with a non-believer.  When I’m travelling and sit next to a stranger on the plane, I’ve learned not to shut down the conversation by referring to myself as a missionary, a minister, or a preacher.  Other job descriptions are more intriguing and stimulate further conversation (anything from lecturer in Ancient Near Eastern Spirituality to communications trainer will keep things going).

However, within church circles, let’s not be bashful about the concept of preaching.  In reality the people in your church are not bored with preaching.  If anything, they are bored with your preaching!  I get told that people can’t concentrate beyond 25 minutes of preaching.  I may not say it, but I tend to think that actually they might prefer only 25 minutes of the preaching they’ve heard.  The onus here is not on the church culture to correct its view of the biblical importance of the preaching ministry.  The onus is on us preachers to improve and make sure that the specific preaching our people are thinking of when they refer to preaching is good preaching!  As Haddon Robinson said on one of the early Center for Preaching podcasts, “not all preaching is worth it, but good preaching is worth it!”  Let’s agree on that and press on to develop so that our listeners will not be among the voices of disapproval for this critical ministry.