Reflections on 40 Years of Preaching
In reflecting back on nearly forty years in the pulpit, I am painfully aware that there were many things I got wrong. Everything from preaching what was trendy to pleasing special interest groups. Or the occasions when I allowed my desire to be seen as “deep” to overtake the need to be heard as “practical.”
But I got a few things right. Here are some that come to mind:
1. I recognized the importance of preaching in the life of the church and I prioritized it accordingly.
Years ago I came across a quote from Rick Warren that I took to heart. “Preaching can make or break a church. Poor preaching has killed thousands of churches. On the other hand, the pulpit is the ultimate tool for church growth.”
Look at any prevailing church today and the vast majority of the time, you will see a strong pulpit. By the same token, look at any struggling church and most likely you will also see a weak pulpit.
In light of this, I determined to make preaching a priority and committed myself to growing in my gift and developing my craft.
Look at any prevailing church today and the vast majority of the time you will see a strong pulpit. By the same token, look at any struggling church and most likely you will also see a weak pulpit.
2. I saw the value of planning my sermon series well in advance.
One way to do this is through a preaching calendar. You can read about why this is so useful in my blog post “The Benefits of a Preaching Calendar.” As well, you may want to download a booklet I put together called “The Hows & Whys of Using an Annual Preaching Calendar,” along with the free Preaching Calendar templates. Both are available here.
Laying out your sermon series for the next year (or at least 6 months) allows you to make sure your preaching is both biblical and balanced.
While leaving room for the Holy Spirit to break into the plan, it allows for the topics to marinate while, at the same time, preempting any sense of panic about what to preach on next.
3. I created a file system for ideas and illustrations.
One of my college instructors encouraged me to “think homiletically.” “There are sermon ideas and illustrations everywhere,” he said. “The challenge is to capture those ideas and illustrations and then provide a means whereby you can retrieve them.”
I’m “old school,” so I still use hard copy in my standing files. I have a file for every book of the Bible and scores of topics. Over the years, every time I came across an idea or illustration, I put a memo in a file (sometimes in multiple files).
That way, whenever I got around to preaching from that book or topic, there was a file filled with possibilities. As well, when I’m reading a book and find a great idea or illustration, I make note of that as well and put it in the files.
Today there are numerous programs and means of collecting and storing sermon ideas, illustrations, and creative fodder. Evernote is a popular program many have found helpful. If you have found a great way to digitally store your research, share it in the comments below.
4. I found tremendous benefit in working with a creative team.
Some of the most “stirring” and “sticky” messages I preached came as the result of collaboration with a creative team. Sharing with them well in advance of a series allowed for all sorts of elements (music, video, staging, testimonies, response) to surround the sermon.
Such creative collaboration can lead to a more cohesive worship experience with a flow that invites people to encounter God and His Word and be changed by it.
In planning these series with them, I also got some initial feedback. On many occasions, the order or topics were adjusted with the help of these creatives.
Collaboration between the preacher and a creative team can lead to a more cohesive worship experience with a flow that invites people to encounter God and His Word and be changed by it.
5. I submitted my preaching to ongoing evaluation.
In the early days of my ministry, I used an evaluation team. Each week, three people whose maturity and judgment I respected would provide me with feedback on the sermon.
I also gave full permission to my greatest fan and best critic (my wife) to speak frankly regarding the message. At times her suggestions allowed me to make midcourse corrections even on the Sunday of delivery.
Once we began recording the messages on video, I would watch the sermon in its entirety on Monday, making notes of strong points and weak points and of delivery strengths and weaknesses.
You can read further about this in the blog post, “Sermon Feedback.”
6. I determined to put myself on a never-ending learning curve.
Convinced that the best leaders are constant learners, I made it my practice to dedicate several hours each week to personal development.
I typically had my sermon done by Friday, allowing my team to get all the support elements ready (such as Pro Presenter slides, sermon notes, website info, etc.).
So I used that day as an opportunity to educate myself in ways that would grow me as a student of the culture, using books, magazines, podcasts, etc.
Much of what I learned carried the extra bonus of being filed away as ideas and illustrations. An additional value was that in quoting from such references, it added great credibility to my audience (“He is aware of our culture.”)
7. I committed to becoming a student of great preachers.
As a young preacher, Howard Hendricks, Chuck Swindoll, Jack Hayford, etc. became my models. Using cassettes and then CDs, I would listen to their sermons in my drive time.
I took note of the nuances of effective communication: the use of humor, how to build tension, the place of passion, etc.
Today, so much is available online. More recently I have looked to current communicators such as John Ortberg, Craig Groeschel, and Andy Stanley for inspiration.
As well, I gained many topical ideas from this habit. I recorded these ideas in a “Sermon Series Possibilities” file.
Great preachers are students of great preachers. Take note of the nuances of effective communication: the use of humor, how to build tension, the place of passion, etc.
8. I discovered my best study rhythm and put it into my schedule.
Some people are night owls. I am not. I’m an early-morning guy. That’s when I’m at my best. Toward that end, I would go into the office very early, carving out 4-5 hour chunks of time on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings for sermon study.
Staff meetings, administrative responsibilities, appointments, and hospital visits were slotted in the afternoons when I didn’t need to be at my creative best.
9. I realized the importance of appropriate vulnerability and identification with my listeners.
One of the most common compliments I would receive after a message was, “Thanks for not simply talking TO us but for being one OF us.” Or, “Thanks for admitting your own struggles so openly. It gives me permission to share mine and it offers me hope.”
Effective communicators demonstrate that they are real people who have found their share of victories and weathered the storms of life.
One more thing. I didn’t stance myself as one who always got it right. In appropriate ways, I let them know when and where I had my failures.
Effective communicators realize the importance of appropriate vulnerability and identification with their listeners.
10. I planned intentional breaks in my preaching schedule.
The ancient Greek, Aesop noted, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”
I found that after preaching regularly throughout the year with only a week off here or there, I began to flag in my passion and creativity. My tanks needed to be restored.
It worked for me to take the month of July off. I was able to enjoy some vacation time with my family and also attend to my soul in some solitude. Finally, I was able to utilize the last week or so to create my annual preaching plan.
Whether you opt for one large block of time or several smaller breaks, I would encourage you to find a rhythm between “fruiting” and “abiding” in order to remain fully charged.
If you’d like to read further on the value of a study breaks, check out the blog posts “The Value of an Annual Renewal and Study Break” and “Making the Most of a Renewal and Study Break.”
“If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.” - Aesop
So there you have it. I’m sure there’s more I could add. But, hopefully, this initial list can provide you with some practical ideas that could help you become a better preacher.
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