Featured How Should a Preacher Preach?

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?

 

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.

 

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:

 

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."

 

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."

 

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.

 

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?"

 

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.