Preaching

Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays?

/ Peter Mead / 6 Comments

Donald Sunukjian suggests that for men, preaching is the closest we ever come to giving birth (ladies reading this – you’re right, we have no idea!) He talks about this thing growing inside and then finally coming out in an intense delivery, followed the next day by the post-partum blues.

Maybe some preachers always feel refreshed and revitalized after preaching. Maybe some can’t wait to get stuck in to work the next day. But for those of us that are sometimes spent after preaching, what should we do with our Mondays?

Many pastors traditionally take Monday off, partially for this reason. Sunday is the busiest day, but also preaching is a uniquely draining experience. So that’s a place to start. Consider rest after the emotional and spiritual exertion of preaching. While rest may re-energize, there are times when it merely exacerbates the lack of motivation. So rest, but also be active. Physical activity, exercise, has a definite effect on our emotional, mental and spiritual reserves.

Consider reading things that are “just for me” on Mondays. Spiritually uplifting, devotional, relaxing, unrelated to present sermon series kind of reading (my wife would probably suggest reading a novel).

Be extra wary of activity with a raised level of temptation. Internet surfing, movie watching, time alone, travel, etc. All are risky, especially when internally depleted. Some of these may be unavoidable (travel), or even helpful (a safe movie), but always be wary. Sin crouches and often pounces when we’re extra vulnerable.

Select your company carefully. Some people energize and motivate, while others drain and discourage. Watch who you’re with on a day that starts with depleted reserves.

Mondays matter, so plan them carefully. Then on Tuesday? You’re pregnant again.

Making a Multi-Speaker Series Work – Part 2

/ Peter Mead / Leave a comment

A group of preachers, one Bible book, and a series of Sundays. Consider the following suggestions.

3. In a longer series, have a mid-series evaluation. It is wise to avoid a series that goes so long it starts to drag. So by longer series, I mean 8-12 Sundays rather than 4-6. A time of evaluation would provide an opportunity to get together and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the series. An opportunity to highlight areas that could be strengthened by the group as the series continues. Perhaps a re-evaluation of the later sections in light of further study, or just a good chance to pray for each other and the messages that lie ahead.

4. Encourage the preachers to be a “team” for the series. It is so easy to preach as separate individuals, having no interaction between the speakers in a series. This is a great opportunity for a team camaraderie to develop. The speakers know what each other is putting into the series. They understand the goals, the emotions, the struggles. Perhaps encourage email and phone conversations between the speakers. Pray for one another. Really seek to stand together in the mission.

5. As a team, select one individual to wrap-up the series. In light of the team interaction, there may be one preacher especially suited to wrapping up the series. Perhaps the one with the best grasp of the whole book. Instead of fizzling to the finish, finish strong with a message reviewing the book in its entirety – a big picture finish.

6. Have a post-series evaluation. Share lessons learned and make suggestions for future series. Also, at the end of the series, or at the end of the year, put closure on the teamwork with some kind of thanksgiving and celebration.

Pulpit Prayer

/ Mike Roth / Leave a comment

In Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, Walter Brueggemann writes, “Alongside that substantive act of submission and petition, prayer at the opening of class is a heavily symbol-laden act, for it situates knowledge in the context of faith. It articulates a proper ratio of reason to faith and quite practically asserts that learning takes place with a cloud of witnesses who have believed and trusted before the present company and who believe and trust presently alongside the immediate body of teachers and learners. Thus prayer at the beginning of class in a seminary is not a mere convention – though it is that. It is an act of rightly framing the instruction of the day among a body of believers or would-be believers who are unafraid of the task of learning (xv).”

Though Brueggemann’s context is one between professor and student, I cannot help but think a similar dynamic exists between preacher and congregant. Preaching exists within the context of faith. It is both an expression of and call to faith. Therefore, in both the teaching of theology and the preaching of God’s word, prayer must rightly orient the moment. With this said, I wonder to what extent we prepare for prayer as preachers vs. ad-hoc? I must admit that prayer in my sermons need more advanced thought so that I might rightly introduce and conclude my sermons – in a cloud of witnesses, in the presence of the Lord. Perhaps then, a body of believers or would-be believers would be better prepared to courageously engage the Word of Life face to face.

Making a Multi-Speaker Series Work – Part 1

/ Peter Mead / Leave a comment

Some churches never try.  Some always must.  How do you combine a group of preachers, one Bible book and a series of Sundays into an effective series?  First, there are some potential weaknesses worth noting.  Inconsistent explanation of the book’s historical context, flow of thought or overarching idea.  Differing perspectives on the book’s purpose or theological center.  Unnecessary repetition of illustrative or supporting materials.  A lack of repetition of key series elements making it seem like random messages that happen to be from one book.  So what can be done to make it work?

1. Consider limiting the number of speakers.  Instead of rotating through six speakers in a twelve part series, cut it down to three or four (even fewer in a shorter series).  This makes for greater continuity and ownership of the series.  If your church has six capable speakers, perhaps use the others to form the backbone of the next series.  If your church does not have six capable speakers, then why are six preaching?

2. Have a pre-series meeting of the speakers.  Have the speakers read through the book and do some initial thinking on the book’s major chunks, overarching idea and purpose, preaching sections, and a rough idea for each preaching section.  This meeting could take some time, but if we place a high value on the pulpit ministry of the church, then why not?  Also share any particularly helpful resources.  For instance, I just started a series in 1st Peter at our church and found one commentary to be very strong on the historical background of the book.  It would be better for all the speakers to read that view rather than presenting several differing perspectives.

In a few days, I’ll finish the list of suggestions.

Litfin’s Study of Paul’s Theology of Proclamation

/ Peter Mead / 6 Comments

Dr Duane Litfin, president of Wheaton, studied Paul’s theology of proclamation for one of his doctoral dissertations. His study reveals how Paul’s view of preaching contrasted with the first-century Greco-Roman rhetorician. The biblical focus for the study was 1Cor.1-4, where the issue is addressed most directly. The following points may give you a taste of his study and its relevance for us as preachers:

1. Language and ideas have the power to sway people. Paul knew that, and we must recognize the power of language and ideas in order to comprehend the reality of ancient rhetoric and the contrast with Paul’s preaching.

2. The ancient rhetorician tailored his efforts to achieve a result, whatever it took. Paul was different. Paul, like the rhetor, viewed the audience as a given, but did not take unto himself the task of inducing belief. For Paul, this was the task of the Spirit of God.

3. Paul proclaimed, and as a herald he announced, but it was not his task to persuade. So he would “placard” the cross before his hearers. He could not allow for the possibility of the listeners’ faith being a product of the preacher’s ability to induce faith by rhetorical technique.

4. Paul did not somehow disavow every element of rhetorical technique. It is clear in his letters, and in the speeches in Acts (if they are accepted as representative of Paul rather than Luke’s writing ability), that Paul did use various elements of rhetoric in order to communicate effectively. In fact, the ancient study of rhetoric was descriptive more than prescriptive, it was determined by observation of what effective speakers did. In light of this, Paul would not have had to study rhetoric in order to learn the skills he demonstrates. But he did put his own preaching in sharp relief to that of the rhetoricians. What was the difference?

5. Paul did not pursue the third step in persuasion. Persuasion theorists break down the process into five steps. (1) Attention, (2) comprehension, (3) yielding, (4) retention, and (5) action. Rhetoric placed heavy emphasis on step 3, yielding. Paul aimed his presentation at step 2, comprehension. Obviously, as people were persuaded by Paul’s preaching, an observer might credit him with the whole process. But in reality, Paul held back from any strategies that might induce a yielding in the hearts of his followers. Without making a cheap shot at ancient rhetoric as being mere manipulation, it is clear that Paul was wary of anything that might cause his hearers to come to faith based on his technique of persuasion. We should be wary of the same.

Peter has responded to a comment, and gives a link to a Litfin article.

Internal Chaos? Be Encouraged.

/ Mike Roth / 3 Comments

In R.E.C. Browne’s classic work on homiletics The Ministry of the Word, he writes, “Creative work always brings creative workers to the edge of an abyss. It is there that the most creative work is done and it is there that conditions exist which may be the undoing of the worker: passionate faith gives rise to profound doubt; love of truth dreads error, bringing one to the verge of falsehood; depth of love increases ability to hate in the name of love; zeal drives the zealous towards fanaticism; desire to influence others brings one into the danger of being enslaved by those whom he would free. Great preaching, like great art, cannot be the work of those who know no chaos within them and it cannot be the work of those who are unable to master the chaos within them (p. 17).”

For those who preach regularly, this place of chaos is known all too well – and it can be paralyzing. I pray the Lord strengthens you to continue His work proclaiming this Word that brings life. May the apostle Peter’s words be of encouragement to you today: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:10-11).”

Mike and Peter have responded to a comment on this post.

This Piece of Paper is Different

/ Peter Mead / Leave a comment

The stages of sermon preparation are not rigid.  They are not like the seven chapters of a book that must be covered in sequence.  They are like loose pieces of paper.  In fact, they can be loose pieces of paper.  Have a page entitled Passage Study, and one for Passage Idea.  Also a Purpose page, a message idea page, and one for message shape, etc.  For message details you probably want three – introduction, conclusion and illustrations.  You can write on any page at any time as you work through the seven stages.  But there’s one more piece of paper, one that has a specific place in the process, and yet should be ignored in certain other stages.  You might entitle it, “Questions of the Text.”

Do use this page in an initial reading of the passage.  Before you study in any detail, read through the text and write down questions of the text.  What needs explaining?  What is not clear?  Are there details, or names, or words that are begging further attention?  Anything that is not immediately clear, write it down.  This is now a valuable piece of paper.  You may study in detail, maybe in original languages, probably in commentaries.  For a period of time you will live in that text.  You will forget what it is like to be a newcomer to the text.  Just like having someone visit your country is fascinating as you watch them observing what to you is familiar, your list of questions is a clue to the experience of a non-native in that text.  Your listeners will be new to the text when you preach it.  Your questions may be similar to theirs, so the list has real value.

Do not use this page in stage 6 – sermon shape.  At this stage do not let that sheet drive your preparation.  If you do, you run the risk of preaching a list of answers to questions, a series of distinct ideas.  A string of disjointed explanations may be considered expository preaching by some, but not here.

Do use this page once you are finished.  Having crafted and written a draft of your sermon, then you can break out the list again.  Which questions are not answered in the course of the message?  If it’s a question a first-time reader is likely to have of that text, you should probably answer it at some point in the message.  You don’t want that to be an obstacle to hearing the main point.  So the first thing you wrote in the process of preparing the message can be a great tool as you run your final checks prior to delivery.

Multiply the Fruit of Your Study

/ Peter Mead / 2 Comments

To really study a text takes time and effort. It involves a lot of thinking, reading, original language work for those that can, note taking, diagramming, plot analysis, word studies and so on. If you’ve really studied a passage well, let the fruit be multiplied. Here are some ideas:

1. Preach more than one sermon. As a pastor it is possible to preach the sermon on Sunday morning, then come at the passage again in the evening. Perhaps the evening could focus less on explanation, and more on fleshing out the possible relevance and applications of the idea. If we’re honest, how much do people grasp on a “once-only” schedule? Why not double up the dose, more will stick!

2. Produce study notes. Perhaps for a home group study, but not just for that. Why not produce a sheet of notes that will help your listeners think through the passage again during the week? The fruit of your study can be a guide for them in exegeting the passage, arriving at the main idea and points of application.

3. Participate in a forum. Some preachers would run a mile from this idea, and some probably should. However, if you have the mind and the grace to handle this, consider offering a forum, a Q&A time on the passage. Let people ask questions and interact with the subject or passage, you be the resource to help people think clearly. This may be more appropriate on some subjects than others, but if a group of people would come and benefit from your study, why not?

4. Publish it in some way. Perhaps your study would yield a magazine article? Maybe this would just go in the church newssheet, a denominational publication or maybe one of the big Christian magazines. Perhaps your work has what it takes for a journal article, or for a one-page handout you can make available at the back for the next few weeks. Publishing doesn’t have to involve contracts and massive time commitments. If you’ve done the work, perhaps there are ways others can benefit. How about the recorded message? Then there’s the wild world of the internet. It is full of all sorts of stuff (who am I to talk?), so if you think your notes or article will help, then add them to the mix. However, remember your goal is to bless and help others, not drain away your own time for the benefit of none (easy to do with internet or self-publishing).

5. Preach it again. If the sermon is still fresh as you re-work it, preach it again. Perhaps to the same people after a significant delay. You’ll be both excited and disappointed by the fact they may not even notice! Or you could preach it somewhere else. Switch pulpits with a pastor friend and both preach an old message – less preparation, but possibly great blessing for the two churches.

The Message and the Text

/ Peter Mead / Leave a comment

The relationship of a message to the Bible text is clear. We are to begin with the text, derive the message from the text and bring it to our people today. Van Harn emphasizes the importance of the “from” in the following quote:

“Preaching is from Bible texts. Not on Bible texts – although some sermons stay right there and never seem to leave the text. Not about Bible texts – although some sermons seem that distant and detached. Not around Bible texts – although some sermons seem to move in circles. Not above Bible texts – although some sermons travel in thin air. Not under Bible texts – although some sermons seem to be hiding. The word is from.”

Van Harn, Preacher, Can You Hear Us Listening, 61.

How Being a Preacher Can Kill Your Bible Study

/ Peter Mead / 1 Comment

The stages of sermon preparation are not a hard and fast series of steps. It is possible to have a useful thought for the introduction, conclusion, illustrations, and so on, very early in the process. Yet these are all stage 7 elements – message details. So even though it is possible to have thoughts at any time, it is usually better to note them and leave them until later. This is especially important in stage 2 – passage study. A commitment to expository preaching requires that we keep stage 2 unpolluted by stages 5-7.

1. As you are studying your passage you are not looking for a sermon. If you collapse stage 6 – sermon shape, into stage 2 – passage study, you will undermine the whole process. It is critical to study the passage first, to understand it, rather than to form it into a sermon.

2. If your mind creeps ahead, make a note and get back to stage 2. We’re all tempted to see our points as we study. Write them down and put them aside. That is not yet. We easily look for our sermon structure, will there be two points, or three? Inductive or deductive? Don’t. Write down any thoughts and then put that aside.

3. Be clear on your goal in studying a passage. What is the goal of studying the passage? It is not to find the sermon. It is not to determine the points of the sermon. It is not to utilize our Greek or Hebrew until we feel we have fulfilled some sense of duty. It is not to parse verbs endlessly, or do word study after word study. The goal of studying the passage is to find, with some degree of confidence, the passage idea. The goal of stage 2 is stage 3 (and part of stage 4). The goal of studying the passage is to know what the author’s idea was, and why he wrote it. Seems obvious, but we easily forget. In fact, many of us have never been told that. I don’t recall my seminary profs training me to exegete a passage so that I grasp the author’s main idea. But that is the goal. All the Bible study skills we have are there to work towards that.

Determine the main idea of the passage, with as much confidence as you can achieve in the time you have. Then you are ready to start considering the purpose of your sermon, your sermon idea and your sermon outline. Do these things too soon and you may abort your Bible study.