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 An
unabridged dictionary will give you my reasons for the subject.
While acknowledging “to make known, proclaim, announce
publicly,” Webster’s also has, “to discourse in the manner
of a preacher; — now usually with implications of
officiousness or tediousness.” “To utter in a sermon or a
formal religious harangue.” (If you are in doubt check
that word in the dictionary.) Webster also has, as an example of
one meaning for “preach,” “to preach (one) asleep.” This
is the connotation or reputation “preaching” has earned from
the suffering public.
Don’t
quote me “preaching is foolishness to those that perish.”
The kind of preaching I have in mind is foolishness to the saved
as well. Why does a grown man, reasonably intelligent, capable
of meaningful communication in other circumstances, feel that
when he mounts the podium he must rant and rave? (Look those
up.) As one fellow said, “That young man wanted to preach in
the worst way — and he did, too.” The man who has to “get
in a weaving way” to teach God’s truth may produce a few
gems that are noteworthy, but they are usually hidden in a
clutter of half sentences and trash that distract the listener.
A taped record, transcribed, will often embarrass the best of
speakers.
The
changed “officious” voice may be a cover up for nervousness,
a substitute for something worth saying, or what we think is
expected of a public speaker. These are bad enough. Let us hope
it is never an indication of pompous egoism, as it sounds. One
may sufficiently increase volume simply by speaking to the back
seats.
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Repetition
that is organized: at reasonable intervals, tying parts of the
speech into a whole or making summations, are very useful. But
they should not be used as “filler” while the speaker tries
to think of his next point. Much harangue results from our
thinking we must always be saying something — we fear the
sound of silence. Try using a more complete outline or making
better preparation. A good sound point doesn’t need much
laboring. But the strength in what you say and how the
scriptures prove it; and the need (?) for stomping, leering at
the public, or filling the air with trite and canned phrases
will be lifted. One need not say “our blessed Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ” every time he wants to say “Christ.” Nor is
such verbiage a sign of piety or scriptural learning. (May as
well expect some letters about that.)
All
preachers get rattled at times (I hope) and make a “mess” of
a sermon. (It’s a terrible feeling to know you are doing it,
and yet be incapable of correction. You would like to sink right
into the floor.) Preparation, experience, and more preparation
will cure most of this. Critical brethren need to try walking in
our shoes before becoming too harsh. But we are responsible for
the odium attached to “preaching” and we must, by positive
action, cure it.
This
is no sanction of dry, pedantic sermons. Pray earnestly for God’s
help, and then “give it all you’ve got!” Let the richness
of His truth and our sincere hunger for souls send forth a fire
that will burn deeply into the listener’s heart.
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