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.
9 Comments
I love the mention of your cousin, his t-shirt, and the fact HE had a girlfriend in college! Made me laugh out loud.
Great article. You’re so right and I think as parishioners, we have greater respect, too, for preachers who are comfortable in their own skin; who simply preach from their hearts. Whose passion comes not from which great teachers, preachers, and expositors they study, but from the work of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t remember too many things about the Denver mission trip back in ‘98, but I do remember you reading Calvin’s Institutes by flashlight in the church meeting room the whole group was dorming in. And preaching at the Rescue Mission – finding your voice.
Oh college…
Good to hear from you Nate. That was a fun trip. I also remember getting scolded by the men at the mission for not painting their hallway very well. Probably well-deserved.
Kevin,
What an important topic for a post. I resonate. I think it took me fewer sermons to “find my voice” (and I think I have . . .), but that may have something to do with being just a few years older, not having an evening service. I would guesstimate it took me at least the first 5 years of pulpit ministry before I could go from listening to one of my great mentors (on CD or at a conference) and still return to my own church and preach in my own voice. Maybe it takes 4 or 5 years to find that voice, and another year or two to retain it consistently.
Thanks for the encouragement! I am only 1 year into the ministry the Lord has given me and am working on this same thing. My problem is that far too often people expect me to be like MacArthur (I graduated from The Master’s Seminary) or Lawson (the person whose ministry I was saved under).
Thanks for the reminder.
Hey, this is great. I did go and read the whole article, but chose to comment here. I know EXACTLY what you’re describing. I’m 39 and have been preaching/teaching for about 15 years. I shudder when I think of what (or who) I sounded like ten years ago. I’m much more comfortable with my own “voice” nowadays, and often chuckle to myself after completing a set of notes for a message, thinking of the failing grade they would have received in my Hom. class.
Without a doubt, I’ve been influenced by others, and have retained some of their color and flavor, but only because it’s become a part of who I am. And that’s just find – people know when the preacher is acting like someone else
Ummmm….that should of course be “just fine” in my last sentence above…
Glad we moved here during the time of your last 50 sermons!
I probably heard your first sermon during a Youth Service. That sermon was left many of us knowing what your calling was!!