Small Preaching

1. Embrace the "Small Preaching" Approach for Continuous Improvement

Small ball. Small teaching. And now, small preaching.

Small steps lead to big changes. The "small preaching" approach emphasizes making incremental improvements in your preaching rather than attempting radical overhauls. This method is more realistic and sustainable, allowing preachers to continuously refine their craft over time.

Examples of small preaching steps:

• Refining your sermon introduction
• Improving your use of illustrations
• Enhancing your vocal delivery
• Strengthening your conclusion

By focusing on one small aspect at a time, preachers can avoid feeling overwhelmed and instead experience steady growth in their abilities. This approach recognizes that lasting change comes through consistent, intentional efforts rather than sporadic, dramatic shifts.

2. Balance Praise and Criticism to Grow as a Preacher

Handling praise carefully and gladly.

Embrace feedback wisely. Preachers must learn to handle both praise and criticism in a balanced manner to foster personal and professional growth. This involves receiving compliments with gratitude while remaining humble, and viewing criticism as an opportunity for improvement rather than a personal attack.

Strategies for handling feedback:

• Praise:
  • Accept graciously without deflecting
  • Use it as encouragement to continue improving
    Criticism:
  • Listen without immediately defending yourself
  • Evaluate objectively and learn from valid points
  • Seek input from trusted colleagues for perspective

By developing a healthy relationship with feedback, preachers can maintain their confidence while continually refining their skills and message delivery.

3. Foster Interdependence through a "Band of Brothers" Preaching Network

We need this few, this happy few, this band of brothers, and we need it not just at annual conferences but on a weekly basis.

Cultivate a supportive preaching community. Creating a network of fellow preachers can provide invaluable support, accountability, and growth opportunities. This "band of brothers" approach emphasizes collaboration over competition, recognizing that shared wisdom and experiences can enhance everyone's preaching.

Ways to build a preaching network:

• Regular meetups (in-person or virtual) to discuss sermon preparation
• Shared resources and study materials
• Collaborative sermon series planning
• Honest feedback and evaluation sessions

By fostering interdependence, preachers can combat isolation, gain fresh perspectives, and continually improve their craft through mutual encouragement and challenge.

4. View Pastoring as Conducting: Prepare, Listen, and Lead

Like all the great mysteries, the mystery that is music only comes from huge amounts of hard work.

Pastor as orchestra conductor. This metaphor highlights the multifaceted role of a pastor, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation, attentive listening, and skilled leadership. Just as a conductor shapes the performance of many instruments, a pastor guides the various aspects of church life.

Key aspects of pastoring as conducting:

• Preparation: Deep study of Scripture and human experience
• Listening: Attentiveness to congregation's needs and voices
• Leading: Providing a unifying vision and direction

This approach recognizes that effective pastoring, like conducting, requires both technical skill and relational sensitivity. It emphasizes the pastor's role in bringing diverse elements together to create a harmonious whole, rather than being the sole performer.

5. Craft Sermons as Stories to Engage Your Audience

Preaching is biblical and theological content selected and presented in a mode of proclamation with the immediate goal of invitation and exhortation.

Harness the power of narrative. Recognizing that humans are inherently story-driven creatures, effective sermons should be structured like compelling narratives. This approach engages listeners on multiple levels – intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Elements of a story-driven sermon:

1. Setting: Introduce the main idea or context
2. Rising tension: Present a problem or question
3. Climax: Reach the highest point of tension
4. Resolution: Provide biblical answers or insights
5. Application: Offer practical steps for listeners

By framing sermons as stories, preachers can make even complex theological concepts more accessible and memorable. This method helps listeners connect with the message on a personal level, increasing the likelihood of lasting impact.

6. Leverage the Church and Cultural Calendars in Your Preaching

There is no clear right or wrong answer, but decisions must be made with wisdom that is sensitive to one's own subculture and local and denominational church traditions.

Intentionally integrate special days. Thoughtfully incorporating both church calendar events (like Advent or Easter) and cultural observances (such as Mother's Day or national holidays) can enrich your preaching schedule. This approach helps connect biblical truths to listeners' lived experiences and cultural contexts.

Considerations for calendar integration:

• Church calendar: Reinforces core Christian narratives and doctrines
• Cultural calendar: Addresses relevant life experiences and societal issues
• Balance: Maintain a healthy mix with regular expository preaching

By wisely using both calendars, preachers can create a diverse and engaging preaching plan that resonates with their congregation's spiritual and cultural rhythms.

7. Refine Your Sermon's Opening and Closing Minutes

That first minute of your sermon is absolutely crucial to your homiletical effectiveness.

Maximize impact through strategic bookends. The opening and closing minutes of a sermon are disproportionately influential in capturing attention and leaving a lasting impression. Crafting these sections with particular care can significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of your message.

Tips for powerful openings and closings:
Opening:

• Start with a thought-provoking question or statement
• Establish relevance quickly
• Avoid unnecessary pleasantries or disclaimers
  Closing:
• Reiterate the main point clearly
• Provide specific, actionable applications
• End on a positive, inspiring note

By giving extra attention to these crucial moments, preachers can ensure their message is both engaging from the start and memorable at its conclusion.

8. Implement Strategic Writing and Evaluation Practices

Writing is thinking.

Refine through writing and feedback. Developing effective writing habits and seeking regular evaluation can significantly improve sermon quality. Writing helps clarify thoughts and structure arguments, while evaluation provides insights for continuous improvement.

Strategic practices:
Writing:

• Use "snack writing" throughout the week
• Draft full manuscripts to refine ideas
• "Kill your darlings" - edit ruthlessly
  Evaluation:
• Seek regular feedback from staff and congregation
• Use evaluation forms for structured input
• Analyze recordings of your sermons

By implementing these practices, preachers can enhance both the content and delivery of their messages, leading to more impactful and engaging sermons.

9. Guide with Grace at Weddings and Funerals

The good pastor-guide is not seeking to use the wedding to preach a forty-five-minute sermon to a bunch of unchurched people.

Be a compassionate guide. When officiating weddings and funerals, the pastor's role shifts from teacher to guide, helping people navigate significant life transitions. These occasions require a different approach than regular Sunday sermons, emphasizing empathy and celebration over instruction.

Guiding principles for special occasions:

• Weddings:
  • Focus on celebrating love as God's gift
  • Keep the message brief and joyful
  • Highlight the couple's unique story
    Funerals:
  • Commemorate the deceased's life and legacy
  • Offer comfort and hope
  • Address the range of emotions present

By adopting a guide mentality, pastors can create meaningful experiences that honor the occasion and point people towards God's love and grace in these pivotal moments.

Last updated: August 20, 2024