Pastoral Reflections: On Preaching and listening

2/27/22

"Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them."

I have heard this bit of advice from many pastors when talking about preaching. They’ve been told this helps make a good sermon. But I will share here what often tell them. I don’t think that is good advice.

I understand the motivation; be really clear with people on what you are teaching. But it has a fatal flaw. It assumes people are only changed by intellectual knowledge and information. But that isn’t true. The best stories include tension and questions that are not answered right away. They connect to our emotions and our desires. Yes, they include information and knowledge, but it is presented in a way that (hopefully) compels the listener to stay engaged throughout.

Imagine if a movie followed the example above; you wouldn't feel the need to watch after the first 5 minutes! Of course, preaching is not simply storytelling, but it does include telling the story of God. My advice to preachers? Leave some tension, give people a reason to lean in and to keep listening. Certainly "tell them," but not all at once and (in my opinion) not all at the beginning. If they already know all your main ideas upfront, why continue to listen to you when they think they already got it?

And speaking of listening, we are coming up to the end of our 21 days of prayer and fasting at New City. Regardless of how or in what ways one chooses to fast, fasting helps us better listen to God I think. Our hunger reminds us of our need for God and hopefully encourages us to lean in a bit more to him. Did I hear some grand revelation from God during this time? I did not, but I was reminded to try and listen and follow him more.

How can you cultivate more listening to God in your own life?