Earl Creps has some interesting thoughts and questions in regards to preaching: Why is the average sermon less interesting than the average sitcom?
Unfortunately Earl is right…I hate the fact that I’m a preacher and almost always I get bored when I hear other preachers preach…Well except for Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Matt Chandler & Tim Keller.
Here is why I think I get bored:
- Preacher is to conservative…They are Mr. Nice guys.
- Preacher lacks depth and individuality.
- Preacher tries to say to much.
- Preacher lacks creativity.
- Preacher is not funny or natural.
- Preacher does not believe what he preaches.
- Preacher does not connect on an intellectual or artistic level.
- Preacher preaches fluff and more fluff.
- Preacher seems to say the same thing over and over every Sunday.
- Preacher does not have a team, I get tired of hearing the same dude every Sunday.
I will end with saying this: Preaching is VERY hard and I think very few preachers (including myself) don’t take enough time to master the pulpit, understand humor and become great at what they do. Colleges and Seminaries are not helping…When I look back at my 2 preaching classes I simply cringe.
3 Comments
I think the preaching program at aGts will be a big help at least in our movement for improving quality preaching…I just wish they started earlier, it started more than halfway through my program and if I had know I would have done it in a heartbeat even if I wasn’t going to be a head pastor per se. good thoughts though.
Great post Chris. I think all and more of what you write contribute to this issue. It’s complex for sure.
I think methodologies of preaching (not talking about exegesis) are usually pretty weak due the huge number of variables involved in who you’re actually communicating the message to. How can you encapsulate that in a surefire method?
I think a lot of wisdom, a lot of feedback / self-analysis, insight, cultural awareness etc is needed to find your preaching groove – and that is hard work!
who ever said they were supposed to be interesting. for now i’ll take pertinent, applicable and accessible.
jodi and I have lowered our standards a bit. right now a pastor who knows that he needs to stop talking by about 30 minutes is a great speaker!
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] , church , ministry , worship Surfing through the blogosphere tonight I came across this that chris [...]
[...] Chris Marlow has some thought provoking points for preachers. Preaching is hard and one of the reasons for this is it easy to bore your listeners: Here is why I think I get bored: [...]