Hardest part of preaching - Authenticity

In Day 1 of Preaching they teach us that the goal of preaching is changed lives. As I prepare my second sermon for class, I'm learning that the first life to change must be my own. It's horribly convicting to begin crafting a sermon only to stop mid-sentence and realize that I'm not following my own advice. (As Homer Simpson would say, "D'oh!"). Unfortunately this doesn't phase some preachers. They don't allow the message to clench their heart before they clench the pulpit. For the vast majority though, the message has impacted the preacher long before it ever reaches the audience. I once heard a professor here at seminary say, "Until the message grips your entire heart, you are not ready to deliver it."

So, back to the message that is making me squirm in my seat as I prepare. I basically have three options:

1. Choose a different topic (which is rather difficult with an assigned passage).

2. Change myself before I deliver the sermon (wishful thinking in only 5 days :)

3. Be authentic with the audience and confess my short-comings on this particular truth.

By process of elimination, #3 is the option I'm left with :) Actually, this is the best one anyway. Authenticity, when applied with truth, is the vehicle by which preaching changes lives. A connection must be made with the audience in order for the truth to find its way. Authenticity is the pathway for this connection.

I'm finding this to be the hardest part of preaching. It requires a willingness to be vulnerable. It means letting down the walls and laying insecurities on the table. Yuck. -Like I said, this is hard work for me.

Fortunately, most of the work toward authenticity is done in the preparation. That's where the decision on how/when/where to be authentic is made. For the audience's full benefit, it's something that can't be put off until the night before. The message needs time to marinate in prayer with the preacher for days. This is usually when the Holy Spirit shows up in a big way.

The takeaway here is that in order to effect life-change in ourselves and others we need to be authentic. As I've discussed, it's hard work and it requires preparation. Prayer is the number one way to prepare. Any other ways you can prepare to be authentic with others?

GrantJ

Preaching? Me?

Today I preached my first sermon at seminary! It went well. I'm mostly just relieved it's over! It wouldn't have been such a stressor if we weren't required to memorize the whole thing. That's right, no notes. My next sermon is in two weeks and I'm already stressing about memorizing that one :)

Tonight I'm reflecting on the whole preaching thing. I never imagined I would be preaching. In fact, I still get uncomfortable being called "preacher." I guess it's a negative connotation I used to associate with the word. I used to view preaching as being pious and stuffy, something only for "religious" folks. I never looked at it as something practical for everyday life. My view has changed over the past few years, largely as a result of hearing some great sermons. In addition, Christ has opened my eyes to the real virtue of biblical preaching. Essentially, it's a message about life. I don't mean that to sound trite. What I mean is that a good sermon is aimed at how to live right. It's relevant for everyone because the Bible is relevant for everyone (yes, even in modern times!). Biblical preaching guides us through the Bible, our life instruction manual, which is our source for a joyful and fulfilling life. To me nothing is more exciting.

I'm thankful for this fresh view of Biblical preaching. I have a zest for learning the craft and a new found respect for those who do it well. Yes, I'm learning it is harder than it looks. For one, a good preacher lets the audience in. He lets down his wall and is authentic to the core. This could be the hardest part... -More on this in a future post.

GrantJ

In the Light

On my way to work I go through downtown Dallas and pass by the location JFK was assassinated in 1963. Each day there are groups of people taking pictures of the "grassy knoll" and book depository. I understand the historical significance and the interest in documenting a visit like this with photos, but it bothers me to see people posing in these picture. What's more, an "X" on the road marks the motorcade location where the fatal bullet struck the President. People stand right on this spot posing for pictures. It seems pretty disrespectful to me. These people don't see it that way though. They see it as a tourist destination with a photo op for their Facebook.

This got me thinking, I wonder how many times I fail to see something for what it really is. Are there times in my life when I'm partaking in something trendy and seemingly innocent when God disapproves? I believe there's a name for that: sin. (I'm not saying the people in the above situation are sinning, although it's possible. I'm saying they are blind to the reality of the situation).

Sin works like that. It blinds us to reality. The only solution I know of is to humbly ask God to reveal more of His perspective in our lives. Specifically, we need to ask Him to shine His light on any sin we are unaware of and confess it back to Him. Of course it's hard to walk in the light continuously. The light reveals our faults and imperfections. Sometimes we'd rather keep those blemishes to ourselves and remain hidden in the dark. But that's not living life to the full. The absolute best part of being in the light is that it's completely liberating. There's nothing to hide. Yes, it's hard and humiliating, but once sin is in the light it's not ours to bare any longer. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we are cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

GrantJ

um, uh...but Christ

I'm taking my first preaching class this summer. It's one of those classes I've really been looking forward to. I am, however, a bit nervous about the two sermons we will deliver in class. I'm used to talking in front of people, but handling Scripture in front of fellow classmates is a little intimidating.

On the first day of class I was relieved to learn about the "perfect sermon." My professor reminded us that it doesn't exist. :) Well aware of the perfectionist tendency in seminary, he made sure to drive home his point. Of course we should strive for accuracy and truth when handling the Scripture, but my prof's point was more along the lines of delivery. He doesn't want us to worry about saying the perfect words or making the perfect hand gestures. He wants us to know that it's okay if/when we mess up. I'm glad he pointed this out. It sounds like common sense, but we all need the reminder.

I've worked with lots of folks in TV who strive for the perfect newscast. This usually results in being tense, which ultimately leads to flubbed words. Before I do the weather I remind myself that it's okay to mess up. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Either way I've squashed the idea of a perfect presentation, which helps me relax.

Reminding others that it's okay to mess up is one of the strongest testimonies we have as Christians. I'm not advocating that we should deliberately underperform. Rather, my point is that we need to get the notion of being perfect out of our mind. When we try to be perfect, there is no room for Christ. John could see this dichotomy when he said, "Christ must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30). This means I've got to get myself out of the way.

So next time you're faced with a presentation or some form of public speaking, remember it's your job to simply get out of the way. (Oh yeah, and to be prepared). As for the actual speaking part, allow Christ to take over by reminding yourself that it's not about you. It's about Him.

GrantJ