Some pastors pride themselves on didactic preaching-teaching of the Bible, expressing profound theological truths. These sermons will often be prepared with the same attention given to a college term paper. Didactic preaching nourishes the intellect and helps "renew the mind."

I came to faith in the Pentecostal tradition where much of the preaching was intended to touch the heart. I remember one old radio preacher whose delivery was so impassioned, so fiery, it was said that he could preach the phone book and people would come forward in repentance. For some of my friends in the Pentecostal tradition, to be "fed" by a sermon was synonymous with being emotionally moved.

Other preachers focus on the ethical demands of the gospel. They believe it is not enough to know the right things, or to have the heart moved, because "faith without works is dead." Instead, each sermon must call the hearer to do something to express love for both God and neighbor.

Today's ...