Written Text: More Than Words

January 21, 2008 / Peter Mead / 1 Comment

It would seem obvious that a written text, such as the one you will preach next Sunday, is made up of words on the page. Furthermore, we all know that words on a page convey information. So our task in preaching must revolve around the relevant explanation, proclamation and application of those words, right? Right, sort of, but it’s much more than that. Words on a page are not randomly generated codes from some computer. They are coherent and purposeful communication.

How is writer communicating with those words? We need to be sensitive to the tone of writing as well as the words written. Is the writer rebuking or encouraging, defensive or freely celebrating, sarcastic or sombre? For example, when you consider the cultural context and background issues in Corinth, you might expect a rebuking and attacking tone toward the end of 1Cor.15. But actually the tone there is careful, then celebratory and genuinely encouraging. It would be a shame to miss the tone as you study it and then preach rebukingly.

What does the writer intend to occur through that communication? If the writer intends to inform and stir specific application, then it will help us to pick up on that from the text. For instance, if the tone is encouraging and positive, it would likely be counter-productive to preach a stinging message from the text.

Start with the tone and intent of the writer. There may well be reason to preach in a different tone or with a different goal. But first of all see if the writer’s tone and intent fit your situation. That’s the best place to start. If you decide to change your tone or intent because of the congregation, great, but let’s be careful not to default to always rebuking, or always guilt-inducing, etc.

As you study your passage for the next sermon, remember to ask yourself, “what was the writer’s tone here?” and “what did he intend to achieve through this text?”

The Commitment to Expository Preaching

January 18, 2008 / Peter Mead / Leave a comment

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.

The Elements of Expository Preaching

January 17, 2008June 16, 2008 / Peter Mead / 1 Comment

The study of expository preaching can be a lifelong journey. For many of us it should be a lifelong journey. And the complexity of this ministry allows for a lifetime of learning. Consider the complexities of biblical interpretation and the diversity of biblical genre and form. Think about the continual changes in society, not to mention the ever developing experiences and needs of each individual listener. Ponder the numerous variables in effective oral communication, seemingly increasing all the time as advances are made in the fields of communication, rhetoric, education and homiletics. It is clear that there is plenty for us to keep studying and stretching ourselves as preachers: from applied linguistics in discourse analysis to the epistemological paradigms of postmodernity. From family systems dynamics to unintentional perlocutions in the preaching event. There’s plenty to learn for all of us.

But let’s not get caught in a fog of confusion here. The core issues are still the core issues. Preaching must always be concerned with the specific meaning of the biblical author and with the relevant and effective communication of that meaning to contemporary listeners. Preaching remains a spiritual endeavor very much concerned with the work of the Trinitarian God in you and through you. Excellence in Bible study, effectiveness in communication, relevance in presentation, and all of the above in a close reliance on the Spirit of God through prayer. Boil expository preaching down to its elements, and it is not much more than this: God, you, them & Bible study, communication and relevance.

Take stock of the basic elements – where should your learning and passion for growth be focused at this point in the process?

The Smaller Hats Worn in the Pulpit

January 11, 2008 / Peter Mead / 1 Comment

This site is dedicated to stimulating biblical preaching. The main hat the preacher wears is that of the biblical and relevant communicator. There are lots of angles on that main role, and they are explored post by post on this site and others. But I would like to mention some smaller hats worn in the pulpit. These are typically not your main role in preaching (although in a particular sermon they may be), but these are roles to be aware of. Areas of strategic influence for the preacher:

Materialism Underminer – Throughout the week the people in our congregation are bombarded by messages of materialism. It’s everywhere they look – billboards, TV, radio commercials, shop windows, magazine racks, etc. A constant stream of a very powerful big idea. When we preach, whatever the text and message might be, we break into that stream of information and give a few moments of spiritual reality again. Perhaps in passing comments or illustrations we even undermine the message of materialism too! (The same could be said of society and media obsessions with independence, evolution, humanism, etc.)

Family Support Officer – Many people come from, live in or have come out of broken homes. The enemy is attacking the family unit at every level. Yet for those minutes on a Sunday morning, people are allowed to look through the windows into your life. I’m not saying you should air your private laundry, or show-off your family or children (be sensitive to those who don’t have what you have). However, glimpses into a healthy home can be powerful antidotes to the stream of failure society parades before us. I still remember the illustrations given from the home life of one of my profs at seminary. Bruce Fong is now president at Michigan, but in his Multnomah days the Fong family functioned as an inspiration to single me and others.

Missions Mobilizer – We’re living in a world of desperate needs, yet none as desperate as the 9 people dying every 5 seconds, most of whom step into a lost eternity. The greatest need in world missions today is still people, followed by finance and other resources. The only source of people who could go and make a difference is the local church. That puts us as preachers in a key role. Let’s be aware of the opportunity and inspire our people to be genuine global Christians!

That’s three more hats to ponder. Any others that come to mind?