Month: August 2008

Blinkers Off

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When preaching a narrative it is important to preach a whole story, but don’t wear blinkers.  I am referring to the beginning and end of the specific narrative in question.  We easily fall into the trap of believing that section breaks added in a contemporary version are actually inspired dividers that should separate two distinct texts.  In reality the Bible authors usually strung several stories together.  We may preach only one story, but we must be aware of the flow.

Take, for example, the story of Zaccheus as Jesus left Jericho in Luke 19:1-10.  This story is naturally paired with the other man who couldn’t see as Jesus entered Jericho at the end of chapter 18.  But I would suggest the flow goes back further.  There are a pair of prayer parables at the start of 18, the first connecting strongly with the end of chapter 17.  The second (Pharisee and Tax Collector) begins a flow of stories reaching into chapter 19.  After the shocking story of the two men going to the temple to pray, Luke illustrates the right attitude in approaching God with two stories – one positive and one negative.  First the little children coming to Jesus and then the Rich Young Ruler.  This ends with the challenge of how a rich man can be saved when such is impossible in human terms.  The answer is that it is possible with God (and Jesus goes on to explain how he will suffer and die in Jerusalem).  Then another pair of stories, two men who can’t see, one ends positively, the next?  You’d expect negative – it’s another rich man, this time a despised sinner, one worthy of condemnation by any standard.  But he is saved.  How?  By this same Jesus taking the wrath of the crowds on himself to save the man from probable posse justice.  Zaccheus the rich man is saved by Christ who takes it on himself.  The text flows from at least 18:9 through 19:10.

We need to take the blinkers off as we study the gospels and narrative books of the Bible.  We need to look for how the individual elements are tied together by a very purposeful author.  It will help us to understand what is being communicated.  Furthermore, it is worth thinking about sharing some of this with the listeners.  Not to overwhelm or distract from the message of the specific text in question.  But enough to clarify that the gospels were not written in NIV sections, and maybe even to motivate them to study the flow of the text for themselves.

Cut Unnecessary Intros

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This would apply to the whole sermon, but I am thinking specifically of stories, illustrations, humor, etc.  Many of us have a tendency to set-up an element of the sermon with an introductory comment.  There are exceptions to this advice, but generally speaking, don’t.  It is better to seamlessly slide into the story than it is to introduce it.  Think of people telling jokes.  When they begin, “Here’s one that will make you laugh,” or “This is a really funny joke,” the net result is almost always negative.  Much better to hear the story and be surprised rather than expecting something good or bad.  The same goes in preaching.  Don’t say, “Here’s a startling statistic I came across this week…” (Which usually means the preacher hunted for it online!)  Just give it.  Don’t say, “Here’s an illustration that will make this notion clear…”, instead just say, “It’s like…” and say it.

There are exceptions, sometimes it helps to wisely frame or set up some element of a message.  Most of the time seamless is more effective.  When you have this kind of content in a message, think through ahead of time which will work better.  Try it both ways.  Then go with the most effective for the listeners.

Using Statistics

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Some of us may never contemplate using a statistic in our message, others are drawn to them in every introduction they write.  Statistics can be effective, or they can be totally counter-productive.  I was just reading some advice on the use of statistics (not a preaching or Christian source, but helpful nonetheless).  He suggested you decide whether the statistic is being used to add credibility or to be memorable (a statistic will not do both unless it is stated specifically and then restated in relevant terms that can be remembered).  So here is James Humes advice in three points:

1. Reduce the number of statistics. It is better to use one than to use several.  Pick the best one and then communicate it effectively.  To use two or more will only confuse and undermine your goal.

2. Round the numbers in the statistics. Sometimes you will want to stay specific (to add credibility), but for a memorable stat, round the number.  (More than 25,000 is better than saying 26,315.)

3. Relate the statistic to the listeners. Numbers are hard to visualize, so restate your stat in terms they will understand (so many thousands of square miles is better stated as “about the size of …” an area they know, or so many millions of dollars is better stated as “dollar bills placed end to end, this would stretch from Seattle to Miami, or whatever).

Often statistics are of minimal value in preaching, but sometimes an arresting or startling statistic will help in setting up a message or a point in a message.  Be sure to use that stat wisely.  And one piece of advice that should be added for us as preachers of truth – be truthful, don’t twist, don’t falsify, don’t lie.  Integrity matters.

If Leadership Is Influence

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According to John C. Maxwell, leadership is influence.  Now if this is true, then preaching should be leadership.  I hope none of us preach without seeking to influence lives.  While we all may speak to influence, we are not all officially leaders in every situation in which we preach.  You may not be the pastor or an elder.  You may be just a visiting speaker, or a young man being given an opportunity to “try preaching.”  Whether we have an official leadership title or not, let’s be clear that when we preach, we lead.

Consequently, it is important to use that privilege wisely.  What does it mean to be a leader in terms of your own life?  Your lifestyle?  Your conversation?  Your interaction with other folks in the church?  What does it mean in terms of your self-discipline and your work ethic?  What does it mean in terms of your walk with God and your response to the spiritual battle that surrounds leaders?  Being a leader, at any level, has numerous implications.  Take some time to prayerfully evaluate these and related issues.

And I Quote

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A well-planned, well-placed quote can explode like a firework.  Or it can fall as flat as old lettuce.  How can we make sure that a quote adds something to a message, or a movement within a message?

1. Make sure you are genuinely comfortable with the quote and its author. It is easy to undermine the moment by not knowing the author, or how to pronounce his name, or what the context was for the quote.  This can be particularly significant in a church setting where you would not want to quote certain people unawares.  It s important to know where the quote is from and what was really intended by it.

2. Strive to use quotes from well-known folks. Obscure characters from history, or unknown academics, tend to struggle for effective reception in church circles.  Sometimes it might be better to state that “One leader in the early church said . . .” rather than making people feel ignorant for not recognizing the name of Pseudo-Demoscrates of Alexusalem Minor the Younger.  If the author is not well-known, but the quote is effective, use it anyway, but be sure to check number 4 below.

3. Keep quotes punchy. A long quote is a long quote, but hardly ever an effective quote.  Keep it pithy and punchy so that it has impact.  There is a reason you don’t read your sermon (it doesn’t grab listeners), so don’t expect a long read quote to fair any better!

4. Verbally frame your quote. We shouldn’t pack a message with quotes and anecdotes.  It is better to have one well chosen quote than several that get close to the point.  When you have that one that works so well, that will support or clarify or drive home your point, then don’t waste it.  Don’t let it slip out in your flow of words and get missed by the listeners.  It is better to verbally frame it, to set it up so they are listening for it.  Perhaps pulling a card from your inner pocket or Bible, pausing and then reading it, will work much better than simply saying it from memory.  The goal is not to read, but to make sure listeners hear.  The movement, the visual element and the pause all help to highlight and press bold on your verbal quote.

Quotes can really add something to a message.  Or not. Depends what the quote is and how we use it.

Farms and Financial Institutions

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We know it is important to preach to the people before us.  This means being aware of the culture, but more than that, being aware of their culture.  Within just a few miles of each other you can have four churches, all of the same size and same denomination, maybe even the same age mix, but still be very different churches.

One is in a town centre, where the rot has set in and life is tough.  The people still living in the area are poor and perhaps feeling stuck.  Social issues are at the forefront of peoples’ thoughts because they see it with their own eyes each day, or experience the needs themselves.

Another is in the suburbs of that same town.  The area may be more affluent, although not every suburb is rich-ville.  People live in one place and work in another.  Their jobs are different, their experiences are different, their lives are different than the other church.  Fast paced life under the veneer of relaxed comfort.

Just a couple of miles out of town is a country church.  Perhaps the people are mostly agrarian.  This could mean greater affluence, or it could mean the constant struggle to survive when dictates from on high (i.e. government) undermine all they do.  Life is lived at a different pace.  The suburbs and the town centre, just a few miles away, are a long way culturally.

Three churches, perhaps similar in numbers, beliefs and denominational labels.  But very different people.  As a preacher you want to know your people – farm illustrations don’t work so well for those that rush into town to work in the financial institutions.

But I said there are four churches.  What is the fourth?  Well, this is where it gets complicated for many of us.  You can take any one of the three above and add a commuter dimension.  What if you preach in the inner city, but your people travel in from the suburbs?  What if it is a suburban church, but half your congregation commute from out of town?  Commuter churches are a reality for many of us – a complicating reality that as preachers we have to think through carefully.  I suppose it all comes down to knowing your church – not just knowing what it is, or even where it is, but specifically who it is that sits there when you preach.

It’s a Good Idea to Preach a Good Idea

/ Peter Mead / 3 Comments

When you read books on preaching, you often find stunning Big Ideas.  Often the ones included are pithy, memorable, poignant, poetic, clever, assonant, etc.  Let’s be realistic and recognize that those preachers do not come up with stunning Big Ideas for every sermon (unless they only preach a handful each year).  Probably the reason so and so is still using the example of his Big Idea from a 1982 sermon is that he has not come close since!  I am in no way criticizing these authors.  If I were to publish a sermon outline or idea, I’d want it to be the best I can manage.  But let’s not feel pressured by these examples.

When you come up with a stunning Big Idea that absolutely nails the meaning and relevance of the text, then use it (and publish it, etc.)  But most weeks you will have to make do with the best you can come up with.  An idea that is hopefully accurate to the text, fairly succinct, somewhat memorable, or perhaps just plain clear.  These are the sermons that gradually transform lives.  They may not make the preaching books, but the fruit of good honest prayerful preaching preparation will last for eternity.  Don’t feel intimidated by the “big guns” and their best bullets.  Remember that they preach some very average Big Ideas too.

In the time you have, with the skill you have, work on your sermon idea as best you can and then go with what you’ve got.  An average message idea is still better than no message idea at all.  As long as we don’t settle for average out of laziness or poor preparation, as long as we preach the best we can manage as stewards of the opportunity, then lives will be changed, eternity will be different and God will be pleased.

Stage 8 + 1 – Delivery

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Just to finish off the series of posts looking back at previous posts on this site, let’s consider the issue of delivery. All the best work on preparing a sermon can be undermined completely by ineffective delivery. It’s not that we want to be professional or rely on our own abilities. Quite the opposite. We want to be the best stewards of the opportunity to minister God’s Word. So as part of that stewardship we put effort into improving our delivery skills so that the message is not blocked by our ineptitude in some area.

The goal of working on delivery is not to become something you are not, but to be better at being you. That is, the goal is a natural delivery, rather than a forced, a dramatic or a plagiarized delivery style. Be natural, but also be clear. If natural is monotone, or stilted, or boring, or constantly sniffing, or whatever, then work on it so that your natural style is more effective. In order to improve you will need to get feedback. Ask others for their feedback, and every now and then try to watch a video of yourself – it really does help!

Previously – I’ve called it 8+1 because the 8 stages are for preparation of a message, but really delivery is almost a ninth stage in the process. So the goal is to be yourself. You have your own personal style, but that is not an excuse! Present yourself appropriately, and watch your tone. In your delivery, be sure to give breaks, which will include planned pauses. On a practical note, think carefully before using powerpoint while you preach. And please think through your use of notes (see also part 2 and part 3). It is important to learn how to preach with passion, but try to keep the words short whenever possible. The challenge of being natural does not always feel natural, but somehow we need to make it look easy. Delivery is much more than just what you say (see also part 2). But more than all of this, remember that delivery skill is always ultimately trumped by genuineness.

Sunday Prayer

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Do you have certain things you regularly pray before a day of ministry? I don’t have a set list, but one thing tends to come up a lot. I don’t want to just maintain a routine, or just go through the motions of another week of the same. Somehow church can become something we do, rather than a genuine life changing encounter with God. Now it is fair to say we should recognize the value of regular “normal” church life as well as the “firework” moments. But at the same time we can easily get into a rut of just going through the motions again simply because it is Sunday. My prayer is not to be a part of that. I pray that today lives will be changed by meeting with God through His Word, through worship and through fellowship with other believers. And for that to happen? Well, it has to be God at work. That’s kind of the point of a prayer like this, isn’t it? God, we need you. Amen.

A Shalom Preacher?

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Are you a stressed preacher? Many seem to be. I know I can fall into that too. The weight of forthcoming ministry commitments always linger in the mind. Interruptions of ordinary and extraordinary circumstances add pressure as deadlines loom. There is a weight to bear as you seek to stand with those under your care. Ministry is hard work. The enemy makes it harder. And we become stressed. Add to this the culture in which we live, a fast-paced not-enough-hours-in-the-day culture. In her book, Time Peace: Living Here and Now with a Timeless God, Ellen Vaughn writes, “”If adrenaline flows in response to a chronic state of stress–rather than being on reserve for emergencies–it’s like revving a car engine to a hundred miles per hour, then leaving it to idle at that speed.” (Page 69)

Answers to this phenomena tend to sound trite. Rest more. Exercise some. Spend more time with God. Cast your cares on Him. Commit to less. Guard your schedule. Establish better boundaries. All of these are part of the answer, but none are the whole answer. How would you rate your stress in ministry? What could you do to live out the ordered “shalom” of our God of order, the One Who is not stressed? Stuart Briscoe once preached that when we live our lives according to the orders of the God of order, we will have peace (shalom). Do you preach Shalom? Ok, but do you live it too?