—Let the preacher beware of subtracting from his effectiveness by harboring cherished personal sins
—Good sense says: Be neither an immobile statue nor an animated caricature
—Speak not too loudly or too softly. Shout and offend the refined. Speak too low and fail to be heard
—Don’t foster the suspicion that you are preaching another’s sermon and have not had time to assimilate it yourself
—Take care not to bombard people with words that have no meaning for them. Following Paul’s advice, prefer five words with understanding to ten thousand in tongues
—Speak to the heart, not just the ears
—Strive to please God, not men
—Be careful of saying anything about those, especially, who are absent; avoid preaching against anyone unless the total welfare of church and people, or the culprit’s own spiritual needs, demands it
—When necessary, speak fearlessly. Speak the truth without dissimulation. Proclaim the Word of God with faithfulness
—Let inexperienced preachers try out voice and gestures before speaking; on trees and stones, preferably. Get your friends to criticize you. Don’t despair! Keep on practicing
Excerpts from T. Waleys, De modo componendi sermones. . . cited in R. C. Petry, Preaching in the Great Tradition (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1950), pp. 60-61.
1997 by Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.
