Preaching- a dying art? or just dying?

Remarkable preaching is something that should be common place. Not something that eventually squeaks out from an all too tight sphincter at Easter and Christmas. I remember a preaching prof saying to me, boring preaching is a sin. I tend to agree.

I went too a preaching seminar yesterday led by Haddon Robinson. Man he is an ooolllldddd goat. Going was like putting a notch on my belt. When my kids ask, 'did you ever see billy graham?' I can say 'yes.' and likewise Haddon was worth seeing just for novelty. The guy has written almost an encyclopedia on preaching.....but BOY can he preach. (Funny thing is...i always end up at a urinal with these guys at big conferences I don't know why, but that is another story.)

Haddon had a room full of pastors (and very few women) riveted to their seats for 1.5 hr. And the amazing thing is you would think that if you had to preach to practitioners you should have something amazing to say....some great and deep insight. Apparently not. What I found was a guy who was simply content, and completely believed all you needed was to tell a well timed joke in the midst of a simple story. Sermons don't have to contain deep mysteries, or be overly wise and in Haddon's case...they don't have to be overly fast. Sermons need to deliver a story.

Preaching has taken a hugely bad rap for being something that will go out with the modern era. In many charismatic services something that is simply a preamble to ministry time, or a hinderance to worship. But whether you need a flashy title, a video, or like Geez magazine put it 10 sermons you won't hear in church to help keep you awake-when a sermon is done well no one complains! I suspect as long as people read the bible (which could be the real problem with crappy preaching) people will want to talk about it and hear it explained. Uncle John would say, 'anyone with half a prayer life can preach'. Preaching is simply an audible prayer life about real people, real issues.

Haddon made the point that if you as a preacher have to tell theological truths in every sermon, drill home the message.....you may be one of those unfortunate people who never heard Jesus preach. Because Jesus only told stories. Many of which he never gave an answer too.

He who has ears let him hear.