How Should a Preacher Preach?

[PreachTony]

Some background on myself: I'm an old-school hard-shell Baptist. I'm used to small churches (typically no more than 150 members or so). 13 Years ago I announced my calling to preach God's word. I have not attended seminary, though I am not opposed to it. I have no problem in learning history and language, though I do not like the idea of someone trying to tell someone else how to preach.

I recently came across a blog that purported to teach men how to preach without notes, if necessary. For my own experience, this was a foreign concept. I've never preached with notes. I pray and study the scriptures, then mark the place I feel the Spirit leading me to...but I'm going off on my own tangent here...

This blog also stated some tips for preachers. Among its various tips were the following:

1. The preacher should stay behind the pulpit and not move.
2. The preacher should not raise his voice. Use microphones to be louder.
3. Publish a version of your notes either on a screen or a flyer for the congregation.
4. Always prepare a message that relates to current events in your church.
5. Always prepare a message relevant to any possible holidays/occasions.

Most of these bug me, but the first one especially. For me, standing in one place is pretty much a physical impossibility. I'm always more comfortable if I'm able to move about. Now, my church is open to this practice, as our pastor moves around, and preachers that visit our church tend to move.

So I'm curious. What do you guys think? What sort of practices do you believe a preacher should hold to when preaching?

 

[Tom Bryant]

He ought to preach the Word. All the rest of those points are window dressing without much value. Phillips Brooks defined preaching as the communication of divine truth through human personality. God tells us what to preach through His Word, our personalities will determine much of how we preach.

 

[kyredneck]

..... I'm an old-school hard-shell Baptist......

??????

"old-school hard-shell Baptist"

 

[PreachTony]

??????

"old-school hard-shell Baptist"

Sorry, KYR...should've said that I've been called an "old-school, hardshell Baptist." I'm not a primitive Baptist, nor would I classify myself as an "Old Regular" Baptist. I hold to some more conservative views, though I do not hold to the absolute predestination that some 'old regular' or primitive Baptists hold to.

 

[Bro. James]

"Preach The Word--Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine", as if Jesus will return before the next heartbeat.

Finish with hellfire and brimstone--give The Holy Spirit space to convict.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[kyredneck]

FYI, 'hardshell' was a derogatory name implying stubbornness or obstinacy because of their resistance to change and adapt new things when most others around them were.

 

[PreachTony]

FYI, 'hardshell' was a derogatory name implying stubbornness or obstinacy because of their resistance to change and adapt new things when most others around them were.

I'm aware. But I'm also a believer in seeking out the old paths, digging once more the old wells, and not being given to those who meddle with change.

And I've been called far worse than "hardshell" before... :smilewinkgrin:

 

[preachinjesus]

He should preach the Gospel as called and equipped according to his design.

His mannerisms and presentation should be natural for who he is and what is natural. Everyone is different. How we receive them is also important.

Some guys do well to stand behind a pulpit and never move. Some others can nearly dance around a stage. It's an entirely personal decision. The key is to not take away from the reality they you are communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the core.

 

[Salty]

This blog also stated some tips for preachers. Among its various tips were the following:

1. The preacher should stay behind the pulpit and not move.

I might move a little, but I tend to stay behind the pulpit, as I go pretty much by my notes.

2. The preacher should not raise his voice. Use microphones to be louder.

I do not see a need for a mike in a small room.

3. Publish a version of your notes either on a screen or a flyer for the congregation.

I have done that - but only the main points. I encourage folks to fill in the blanks. Will always publish the Bible references.

4. Always prepare a message that relates to current events in your church.

Not exactly, but in that general thinking

5. Always prepare a message relevant to any possible holidays/occasions.

Normally I will.

Salty

PS - and to me a small church is anything less than 40!

 

[Jerome]

Oxford English Dictionary:

Hardshell Baptists (U.S.), a strict sect of Baptists, of extreme Calvinistic views.

 

[PreachTony]

Oxford English Dictionary:

Jerome, my version of being called "hardshell" relates, as KYR pointed out, to a stubbornness against change. I definitely do not hold to "extreme Calvinistic views."

 

[Jerome]

Seeing that hardshell has that very specific meaning when used with Baptist, you'd be wise to avoid labeling yourself that to avoid misunderstandings.

 

[PreachTony]

Seeing that hardshell has that very specific meaning when used with Baptist, you'd be wise to avoid labeling yourself that to avoid misunderstandings.

Fair enough, though I can pretty much assure that anyone in my neck of the woods (northeast Georgia) has never thought of "hardshell" as 'extremely Calvinistic." Just goes to show that words and phrases can mean different things in different places.

As an aside: Merriam-Webster defines "hardshell baptist" as a "a strict and uncompromising Baptist."

 

[Revmitchell]

This blog also stated some tips for preachers. Among its various tips were the following:

1. The preacher should stay behind the pulpit and not move.

There are nervous habits that can be annoying if you are not careful. When I first started preaching I used to rock from one foot to the other. Such behaviors are not good. However, moving around in the pulpit in a careful manner can assist in keeping the attention of the congregation.

2. The preacher should not raise his voice. Use microphones to be louder.

This is vague and odd. In public speaking in any venue we need to use voice fluctuation. We never need to scream in the mic but fluctuating your voice as one is passionate about the subject matter shows your passion and keeps attention better.

3. Publish a version of your notes either on a screen or a flyer for the congregation.

Not a bad idea.

4. Always prepare a message that relates to current events in your church.

Some do this. I have trouble believing that God has always given me a message based on current events. I have been known to preach a message related to current events but that is few and far between.

5. Always prepare a message relevant to any possible holidays/occasions.

The only holidays I do this for is Easter and Christmas.

 

[sag38]

When I served in N.E. Georgia I ran into some Baptists who thought that the end of every phrase of a preacher's sermon should include a "huh" sound. ("Turn with me in the Bible to 1 John 1:1, huh." "At first I was going to preach from 1 Corinthians, huh, but the Lord led me to this passage, huh." My OCD led me not to listen to the sermon but to count the "huh's." It was one of the most distracting and irritating forms of preaching I have ever heard let alone it being a Biblically unsubstantiated practice.

 

[PreachTony]

There are nervous habits that can be annoying if you are not careful. When I first started preaching I used to rock from one foot to the other. Such behaviors are not good. However, moving around in the pulpit in a careful manner can assist in keeping the attention of the congregation.

<snip>

Some do this. I have trouble believing that God has always given me a message based on current events. I have been known to preach a message related to current events but that is few and far between.

The only holidays I do this for is Easter and Christmas.

My nervous habit when I first started was that I would hold my tie in place (if wearing a tie). I eventually stopped, after purchasing a few tie clasps. I do tend to keep one hand in my pocket, but that doesn't impact the message. To this day, I move around. I'll walk out from behind the pulpit, walk in front of the bench the preachers sit on, and even walk up the aisle a bit. Most of our church members are true Baptists, so they sit as close to the door as possible. :smilewinkgrin:

Likewise, I don't really believe that every message is relevant to current events. While they sometimes sneak in, I don't overtly go after current events. I've been asked to do our church's Sunrise Service on Easter, and even that hasn't always been "Easter" scripture, though it has always been about Jesus.

 

[PreachTony]

When I served in N.E. Georgia I ran into some Baptists who thought that the end of every phrase of a preacher's sermon should include a "huh" sound. ("Turn with me in the Bible to 1 John 1:1, huh." "At first I was going to preach from 1 Corinthians, huh, but the Lord led me to this passage, huh." My OCD led me not to listen to the sermon but to count the "huh's." It was one of the most distracting and irritating forms of preaching I have ever heard let alone it being a Biblically unsubstantiated practice.

My grandfather preached that way, never bothered me. Then again, I'm used to it. Fact is, you could take any preacher from any church and find something they do that is "Biblically unsubstantiated." Where do you draw the line?

There's nothing in the Bible that says a preacher has to wear a suit. There is nowhere in the Bible that says a preacher has to read scripture before preaching, yet many do. Should these practices end because they are "Biblically unsubstantiated?"

 

[kyredneck]

Seeing that hardshell has that very specific meaning when used with Baptist, you'd be wise to avoid labeling yourself that to avoid misunderstandings.

You wouldn't have anything good to say about them if they solved world hunger or found a cure for cancer, and I doubt you've ever even stepped foot in a 'hardshell' church. They're some of the most tolerant loving folks you'll ever meet.

 

[Jerome]

Kacirk's Informal English, s.v. Holy Tone:

A method of utterance, often used in their sermons by Primitive Baptist preachers, in which the sound "ah" occurs at the end of each breath pause, and the taking of fresh breath is intentionally made audible. Also holy whine.

The Call of the South:

many of the older mountain church members regard this method of delivery by the preacher as a hallmark of downright earnestness and humility. A mountain woman who had been brought up under the recurrent sermonic "a-ahs" of old Brother Jones, after hearing Dr. John A. Broadus, who was reckoned the foremost American Baptist preacher of his day, remarked: "I'd ruther hear Brother Jones...

 

[PreachTony]

My grandfather preached that way, never bothered me. Then again, I'm used to it.

Here's an example of it, if anyone is confused:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kj2kG4knkU
I don't know anyone in this video, but it provides an example.

Here's another:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQjMqy_d6OI
This is the style of preaching I grew up in. I don't personally get into the-uh, tendency to end-uh, every thought-uh, with a inhalation like these videos portray, that is, unless I feel myself to have gotten very much into the Spirit. I've been told that, one the times I've really gotten freed up by the Lord, I sound an awful lot like my grandfather used to. I consider that an honor. If I could be half the preacher he was, I would feel privileged and honored beyond counting.