The Five Most Dangerous Assumptions in Preaching

If I may, I'd like to add two more:

1. Don't talk down to your congregation. They're smarter than you think they are. Go ahead and use big words once in a while.

2. Pretty much the opposite of #1: don't preach like you're talking to a bunch of seminary professors. Not only will they not get it, but it's boring and the only response you'll get is a sea of glassy eyed people waiting for you to finish so they can beat the Methodists to the Cracker Barrel.

A lot of guys swing to one extreme or the other (usually toward the first one).

 

Sounds like good advice for some here on the BB.

 

I preach the message until it is done. Sometimes 20 minutes other times longer. I never say more than I have to or less. But the message is not going to be dictated by folks unwillingness to sit any longer. I will depend on the Holy Ghost for the entire message and let him worry about those who do not want to hear it.

 

I think another assumption is that my preaching will change lives, when it is the Word of God that will change lives if we will just give it opportunity. That's been a tough one for me to learn.