I'm often asked about preaching. Some ask about the mechanics of preparing and delivering a sermon. Others ask about the experiences of preaching regularly before a congregation. Still others ask personal questions--my opinion on preaching styles, sermon content, or my personal preferences in hearing other preachers. I've decided to offer up some answers in a series of posts.
Exegetical, expository, narrative, topical or biblical preaching?
Yes. But I suppose I could elaborate on that answer a little more. First of all, I don't think biblical belongs in that list as a genre of preaching--any kind of preaching better be biblical or otherwise what's the point? The bible makes it clear that it is God's word that is powerful and effectual, not the clever or eloquent words of man, so I'll assume whether the preacher's style is to exegete or tell stories, he (or she) better do it from the bible.
Back to my 'yes' answer. I have known preachers to excel--and by exceling I mean fantastically nurture and nourish the body of Christ with their teaching--who employ each of those different approaches. Better still, I find that you can point to Jesus as having employed those different means of communicating with folks during his time on earth. He would parse words and meanings (exegetical) with the teachers of the law, the Pharisees and, on occasion, members of his disciples. He would often refer to the words of the law and the prophets, bring those teachings into a new light verse by verse, and sometimes word by word (expository). Jesus was the consummate story teller. I think an honest appraisal--though it may rub some of our more conservative homiletics friends wrong--would conclude that Jesus taught more in story than through any other means (narrative). Yet, Jesus was also called upon often to survey a certain issue from the standpoint of truth (topical) and he never shied away. So I enjoy preaching no matter the genre if it's biblical, clear and from the heart.
As for a preference regarding 'my style', I'll let you into the inner workings of my mind. I struggle to categorize my preaching. I am most comfortable staying very close to the biblical text. Most of the messages I share are literally a verse by verse walk through a passage. For me it's a comfort zone. I marvel at those guys who can grab a topic and weave a coherent tapestry of bible passages together to bring clarity to the point. I'm personally more comfortable working through a passage and coming to conclusions drawn naturally from within the text and context. But I also like a good story. I love to try to tie in things that I can relate to--and hopefully others can relate to--that will add a bit of clarity or even brevity.
I'd suggest that we all hear differently, too. I have four daughters. Each of them seem to listen, hear and learn a little differently. As a dad I need to vary my approach to teaching and directing them. It's not one size fits all. If I attempt it in that manner, while I'm driving a lesson home for one I'll no doubt be exasperating and alienating another. In conclusion, I suppose close to the text but with an occasional side order of each of the other genres would best define my preaching endeavors.
Next time: Preaching with or without notes, using or not using visual media, hows and whys.
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