preaching.org Discussion Threads
stories and sermons
Posted by Greg Dick on October 29, 2009 20:15
what is the protocol, or what should be the protocol as to making up stories for sermons?
Should the preacher always preface a made up story by telling their audience that the story is made up? If so, is the story a lie if the preface is not there?
Replies
re: stories and sermons
Posted by Danny Stebeck on Nov. 16, 2009 at 17:15
I think to myself, what if someone comes up afterwards to me with a question, "Was that a true story?" Would I be comfortable looking them in the face and saying, "No! I just made it up cause it really helped my sermon." I recently, however, changed the names and identities of a story in order to protect the people who hadn’t given me permission to share it. I had to change enough of the story to throw off the scent, but if someone came up to me afterwards and asked the same question I would have no hesitancy to say, "Yes, but I changed the names and identities to protect the people involved."
The bottom line for me is, do I maintain integrity with what I say?! If my listeners begin to doubt my integrity in a story, then how about in my research? How about in my understanding of the text?
re: stories and sermons
Posted by Kent Anderson on Dec. 14, 2009 at 18:29
Hey Greg. Great question. I would simply say that you should indicate somehow what it is that you are doing. You don’t have to make a big deal about it, but it’s a good idea to tip people that you are imagining a scenario.