A large foundation underwrites a yearly program that helps promising pastors in a number of areas. I have regularly had the privilege of being a guest instructor during the week they work on preaching.
Prior to that time, each participant sends in a taped sample of his or her church sermon, which the leaders watch ahead of time and the ministers later view as a group. This could be intimidating except for the fact that as peers they are looking for the “unique excellence” this person has. With this as the bottom-line, the experience is always quite affirming.
My evaluation is to be made on content. And when I meet one-on-one, the comment I find myself making most frequently is, “I had trouble figuring out what your church sermon subject was.”
This isn’t because I’m a poor listener. I’m paying close attention to see if I can ascertain what the overall topic is. Sometimes the answer is obvious. Far more often, however, the message goes in a number of different directions.
Don’t misunderstand. I knew what the person’s scripture text was. But a text and a sermon subject are different. I may be told that a given message was based on Psalm 1, but that doesn’t necessarily help me in terms of knowing the preacher’s subject.
My suggestion is that very early on in the sermon preparation process a speaker needs to get a handle on the subject being addressed. Create a helpful sermon outline if you have to, but make sure you answer this question: “What I am talking about is ______________________.” If you don’t know what fills in that blank, it’s for sure your listeners won’t either!
