Nov
20
2009
Learning to be Yourself as a Preacher: From One Still Trying to Do Just That
As of two days ago I am also a 9Marks blogger. You may think, “Kevin you’re crazy. You can’t possibly find time to blog so much.” You’re right. I can’t. So I’m kind of cheating. Basically, I’ll blog over there about every other week, usually on something more specifically related to church leaders or pastors. Then I’ll link from here to there and that will be my post for the day. So no additional blogging really, just a blog every so often in a different place.
Today’s post is on learning to be yourself as a preacher. Here’s the opening paragraph.
When Phillips Brooks famously defined preaching as “the communication of truth through personality” I do believe he was talking about your own personality and not someone else’s. It has taken me awhile, but I finally feel like I have learned to be myself in the pulpit. Now whether this means my sermons are better or worse I can’t say. But being myself means my preaching is more genuine, more comfortable, and more sustainable. I know I have a lot to learn as a preacher, and I hope that ten years from now I’ll still get those awkward but true compliments–“your preaching has really improved over the years.” But at 32 I feel like I’m finally preaching the truth through my own personality.
If you want to learn who my preaching models are (hint: “Joy!”) and how I’m learning not to slavishly imitate them, read the whole article. It’s only a click away.