One of the hardest things about preaching is finding your own voice. When I took to the pulpit, I found myself wanting to preach like whomever I had most recently listened to. After listening to Tony Campolo, I decided the secret to great communicating is story telling. After listening to Earl Palmer, I yearned for the informed lucidity of a master teacher. After listening to Lloyd Ogilvie's basso profoundo, I went on steroids.
In this respect, if no other, I think preaching is more difficult in the day of Christian radio and tape ministries than in previous centuries. At least in the 1520s, pastors didn't have to listen to: "Pastor, I'm ordering Martin Luther's tape series--'Opening the Wittenberg Door of Spiritual Growth: 95 Practical, Biblical Theses You've Got to Know'--just for you. I don't know why we don't hear stories about the pope like that around here. That's what I call preaching!"
If we can't beat this pressure to imitate great communicators, why not join it? In that spirit, ...

Support our work
Subscribe to CT and get one year free