preaching.org

There are many technical definitions of the task of preaching, but I like to keep it simple. As far as I am concerned, preaching is “helping people hear from God.” I have plenty of opinions, and some of them may even be worth listening to, but no one comes to church on Sunday to learn my opinion. Even if some do, I really wish they wouldn’t. I don’t need that kind of pressure.

That God speaks is one of the best things I know. Preaching affords me the amazing opportunity to participate in this incredible thing that God is doing. I am helping people hear what God has to say. There are several metaphors for the preacher offered by various authors. The preacher is a herald, a witness, a steward, and so one. For me, the preacher is a facilitator. OK, that’s not very exciting. Perhaps, the preacher is a host at a dinner party, making the introductions and creating connections. “Jill, this is God,” the preacher says. “You really ought to hear what he has to say. He can really help you.” And then the preacher stands alongside Jill and listens intently.

Certainly, there is more that can be said about our task, but it has helped me immensely to keep this simple definition in the forefront of my mind. I am here to help. I am here to connect people with the Word of God that can save them. This is a task I accept with gladness.