When preaching is appropriate and when it’s not is a lesson more seminaries should cover. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to hear of even one that does. Maybe it’s hard to stretch such a singular lesson out over an entire quarter or semester. The truth be known, I believe I can cover it quite adequately in a few paragraphs.
Preaching is appropriate when you are in a pulpit setting. An example of when it’s not appropriate is when you are having a meal with friends. Even so, I’ve been with enough men or women of the cloth who apparently were never told by their spouses, “You talked ten times more than the rest of the people combined”
Okay, so it’s not really preaching with an introduction, main points, application and conclusion. But it doesn’t matter whether following a predetermined outline or talking off-the-cuff, it’s still just as rude if you’re always dominating the conversation, regaling everyone with your wisdom, your insights, your experiences, your spirituality, your accomplishments, your humor, etc.
Too many times I’ve been with ministers—from world-renown pulpiteers to pastors of tiny congregations—who were so used to “flying solo” for long periods of time in front of others that they weren’t aware they were continuing the practice of pontificating out of the pulpit. Groupies may think this is wonderful for big-shots. But in the average local church, there usually isn’t that high a percentage of pastor groupies. Enough said … okay?
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
