Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-042

GOOD PREACHING (1)

From ‘Sunrise Sunset’ (HarperCollins/Harper San Francisco), Rowland Croucher’s book of daily meditations. Feel free to use or adapt it.

How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? Romans 10:14.

‘Going to worship’ is more than ‘going to preaching’. In the U.S. church advertisements in the local paper often have ‘Dr. [So and so] preaching’. The question we have been accustomed to hear from someone who missed church is, ‘What did the preacher say?’.

Homilies in some liturgical churches are polite sermonic essays which won’t offend – or change – anybody. Well-educated preachers in some mainline churches fill their sermons with theological abstractions. Fundamentalist preaching is sometimes a loud reiteration of exhortations lacking theological substance. And other churches which may have better preaching often don’t know how to be ‘lost in wonder, love and praise’ in their worship.

Good preaching on its own will not fill churches anymore, but bad preaching will empty them. The preacher stands between heaven and earth, speaking for God to us, and strengthening our faith, hope and love. Good preaching is inspired and inspiring, bringing the Bible to life, and life to the Bible: rooted both in the text in our needs.

Lord, bless all preachers with special insights into your truth, and the ability to organize and expound these. May many come to faith and increase their faith through hearing your word in preaching. Amen.

Shalom!