When I say that pastors should stop preaching, it might be helpful to understand what I am talking about. We all need to be “on the same page” about what exactly preaching is.
What is Preaching?
Everybody thinks they know what preaching is. Even people who don’t go to church know what it is. Most believe that preaching is when a person stands in front of a group of people and speaks to them about the Bible. Most often the speaking is performed inside a church building, from a stage, and behind a pulpit. The preaching lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, and is delivered in speech format—one person talks while the rest listen.
Would you add or subtract anything from this definition? It is a common understanding of preaching.
So if everyone agrees on the definition of preaching, why do we need to define it? Because the Bible does not agree. When the terms for preaching are studied within their cultural context, a much different picture emerges.
The Bible on Preaching
In future posts, we will look at several of the key passages about preaching, but by way of introduction to those, look at this definition of preaching from the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
Kērussein [to preach] does not mean the delivery of a learned and edifying or hortatory discourse in well-chosen words and a pleasant voice. It is the declaration of an event. Its true sense is “to proclaim” (III:683-718).
I know this basic definition may not help very much understand what preaching is, but in this article, the author goes into great detail showing how our modern understanding of “preaching” is very weak compared to the full-orbed thinking about preaching and proclamation in the days of Jesus.
He shows that the preaching of Jesus and the Apostles was the proclamation that the Kingdom of God has arrived. Their “preaching” was not educational, seeking to impart an ever-growing knowledge of the Scriptures upon the hearers, but was closer to the task of a herald who travelled throughout the land, declaring that changes were coming from the king, and what these changes meant for the people of the kingdom.
Preaching was this declaration, this proclamation, that the Kingdom of God had arrived.
According to the author, the preaching of Jesus “did not expound the Scripture like the rabbis. He did not tell people what they must do. His teaching was proclamation. He declared what God was doing among them today” (III:713).
To Explain the Bible, Teach It!
Does this mean there is no place for detailed explanation of the Scriptures? To the contrary, there is a place for such explanation, but in the Bible, this practice is not called “preaching” but rather “teaching.” Friedrich explains the differences:
Teaching is usually in the synagogue, whereas proclamation takes place anywhere in the open. Different hearers are present. Teaching is the exposition of Scripture in synagogue worship; it is for the righteous with a view to increasing their knowledge. Preaching is the herald’s cry ringing out in the streets and villages in houses. The herald goes to all, to publicans and sinners; he attracts the attention of those who are without and who do not attend the gatherings of the righteous (III:713).
We will look at this distinction between preaching and teaching in the ministry of Jesus tomorrow, but for now, what do you think? Do you somewhat see where I am headed when I think that pastors should stop preaching in the church services? If the audience is mostly believers, what they should be doing is teaching, not preaching. But even then, teaching in Scripture has it’s own unique set of characteristics which are not seen in most churches today.
I have recently took a traditional preaching ministry, which is crazy if you knew me. Because, in the last 5 years I have totally bought into the “emergent, house, organic” house concept and still believe it’s overall on the right track and wish we could all drop our suit and ties into garbage bin outback.
What I realized though, that I had trained to do a certain job (even though it is not quite correct, the preacher job) and second I was just spinning my wheels blogging about what the church should be but doing anything about it. In short I needed money and I felt like a hypocrite not doing anything.
For me the answer was to go back into ministry, but to find a church that was more doctrinally sound. So what has happened is that I am technically the Evangelist and the Elders are the Pastors here. They keep track of the inside and I concentrate on the outside.
Now I preach on the weekends, but this slight doctrinal correction allows me to speak as a “visiting missionary” with more of an agenda of outreach and not a denominational crony. The Elders here look over the flock and visit them and send out cards and I get to hand out in the community talking to people everyday.
About as close you could get in the “institutional format” to the N.T. church. If I lucky though God will smite our building with fire and then we can meet in the parsonage (it is big enough). So please be praying for that.
Johnny “Eljachin” Cox
Why do I only see the mistakes after I submit my comment? Is there a way to edit posts?
I used to have a way, but it stopped working after a recent WordPress release….
Johnny,
That is awesome! Frankly, I wouldn’t mind someday getting back into a church situation exactly as you have described it. I have a good job now, but can see myself in some other situation in 5 years or so, after I work through some things. Where/how did you go about finding this church?
Did you erase your previous blog in which you might have been critical of the tradition/institutional church, or did you just tell them that your views changed, or how did you go about “reversing course” so to speak?
The key was the doctrine. RM churches used to believe like “us” but wrapped in a building. That used to not be such an issue because American society was very modern (as opposed to post modern) and people were used to going to the doctor, going to the movies, using a certain spoon for soup, not wearing white before Labor Day. Moderns think there is an exact way to do everything and there is a uniform for it.
The RM though is very sharp doctrinally and has noticed the work of an Evangelist is different than the work of an Elder. So I had to find a conservative old school Church of Christ but not conservative as to become legalistic. Yes there is are a couple left.
So when interviewing I expressed the NT church was the idea, the template: in simplicity, casual dress, non instrumental, house centric, and reached out as opposed to marketing the location. That my goal was to implement as much of that as possible to more firmly ground us in the scriptures.
I never backed off my convictions and since they are die hard Restoration Movement people they couldn’t argue with what I said, they know the Scriptures. I do “preach” for them, were a tie, work their PowerPoint so I have met them half way on some things. They are moderns and think they need that stuff, but when I teach I urge them to be out in the community and not just invite people to church. They are responding well and seem excited to get out there. We are doing something special for Halloween for starters.
No the blog is still up! Still trashing all that is Holy, just too busy now to be insensitive on a regular basis.
All I can say is Awesome!!
Johnny,
Maybe there is hope for me after all. I really do miss many elements of pastoral ministry and think that possibly, someday, somehow, God might bring me back to it. You have given me hope. Thanks!
I think you’re on the right track. I agree that preaching is primarily to announce that The Kingdom of God has arrived. Its purpose is to connect the listener to that Kingdom.
Teaching in this context is primarily to comment on Scripture. Its purpose is to help us remember what is written and to use it to help live our daily lives, especially in our relationship with Jesus and others.
Most of the preaching I have heard does very little of either. It consists of talking about theology, personal or denominational “interpretations” of Scripture (sometimes) and tradition and lots and lots of personal opinions about the topic de jour. Most is presented as “the word of the Lord” or “this is the way it is”, with little or no opportunity for the hearers to do anything other than “believe correctly”.
I think this is a variant of Gnosticism. Our goal is correct knowledge. If I think correctly then I’ll get eternal life (or something).
Honestly, most sermons I’ve heard have been a waste of my time and probably of the preacher’s. (S)he preached because it was what was expected, part of the “job duties”, part of what had to be done to get a paycheck. I apologize for the cynicism.
Perhaps the best way to “preach”, to announce the arrival of the Kingdom to those who have not yet believed, is by the way we live our lives and by how we love them – not following the manner of the citizens of this earth, but living and loving as do the citizens of the Kingdom of God. Say what you will, but demonstrate to me in the way you live your life, and especially in the way you love, that the Kingdom of God has indeed arrived.
I really agree with your statement about teaching, and using it to remind people about the connecting the listener to the Kingdom of God. I hadn’t thought of it in quite that way, but it makes perfect sense.
Thanks, Sam!
A refreshing post, one that put my feelings into words.
The more I consider this topic, the more it helps me put a finger on what bugs me about a few things.
The thing we most often associate with preaching very often turns out to be telling. Disparagingly enough, it seems to be done by someone that seems more dedicated to doing a job, or committed to a lifestyle, than a man truly moved by God.
This seems to be an ineffective sales pitch. We all should strive more daily in prayer and actions to keep the commandments, and to seek the Holy Spirit through humility, so that we may be found as those alive to God, showing our light to the world, a light which cannot fail to move the hearts of men.
And this means me first.
Yes, I will point out later that much of Jesus’ teaching seemed to be either on the way to some sort of ministry, or in a debriefing time afterwards. There was never a time when he said, “Come listen to me teach…. Ok. Now go home.”
We should emitate the foot steps of the Jesus christ,
How Jesus preached ?
What Jesus preached?
Where Jesus preached ?
When Jesus preached?
Whom Jesus preached ?
Why Jesus preached ?
Is thease days preachers follow ?
Did Jesus teach more than he preached?