Just one more post following up on this issue of whether it is appropriate for a preacher to endeavour to be engaging in their presentation – be that through manner and energy in delivery and/or passion and enthusiasm for content.  I have been responding to the potential critique that it is up to the listener to hear and the preacher merely needs to faithfully speak the Word of God (especially since it is God’s work to change lives anyway).

One more post, two more points, then I’m done (but feel free to comment, agree, disagree, qualify, etc.)

1. Tipping Points. With a lot of these aspects of preaching I think there is a scale.  At one end is reliance on God, at the other is communication ability on our part (which can be improved, hence I talk about it on here).  While I would advocate for being the best steward of ministry opportunities that we can be, I would never affirm the idea of trusting in our own abilities rather than leaning fully on God.  It’s as if there is a tipping point.  A point at which seeking to be the best stewards of our ministry that we can be, we tip over and lean not on the Lord, but on our own ability, training, etc.  If you sense yourself tipping away in the wrong direction so that you are not leaning on the Lord – stop!  But actually, this scale and tipping point notion doesn’t really work.  These are not mutually exclusive categories.  It is possible to seek to improve my communication abilities to a very significant level, yet at the same time to remain fully leaned into the Lord.  It is not true that to put 60% effort into communication improvement means my trust in God reduces to 40%.  It seems like it is a matter of attitude.  How is that measured?  Surely in prayer and reliance upon the convicting work of the Spirit.  Let’s all pray that we will be able to be the best preachers we can be, but at the same time, plead with the Lord never to allow us to trust in ourselves unawares.

2. Similar Situation. Until this point I have kept this series of posts focused on edificatory preaching of believers.  But evangelism is not so different, is it?  Only God can save a soul.  Yet most of us see the problem with an evangelism approach that simply does not engage listeners.  Perhaps you’ve seen offensive and incomprehensible shouters in a public place – not in the slightest representative of the winsome grace of God, yet always quick to point to their faithfulness in sounding forth God’s Word.  Trumpets a blasting, but not a clear tone.  We don’t rely on our ability to engage listeners in evangelistic communication, but surely we seek to be engaging, and clear, and biblical, and relevant . . . doing all we can so that if they choose to walk away from the gospel it will be the offense of the gospel, not the incompetence, incoherence, or objectionable nature of the messenger.  Doesn’t the same apply in church preaching, not only because there will probably be unsaved present, but because it’s all part of the same ministry and great commission?