I'm in grad classes this week studying the art and craft of preaching.
This morning we talked about the role of passion in preaching. Here are some thoughts from both Ron Wood's lecture as well as class discussion.
- I can teach you some things about how to preach. But I can't teach you how to love it.
- Passionate preaching doesn't refer to vocal volume or demonstrative hand gestures. It is more about conviction. Conviction that you have a Word from God and that it contains the power to change someone's life.
- When I preach, I need to become the exploding man.
Some challenges to preaching with passion:
- Momentum cycles: seasons of high leadership demands have the potential to diminish passion for preaching.
- Discouragement and adversity: sometimes we have to preach hurt (like Kobe is playing hurt):
Some strategies to develop and maintain passion:
- Talk about your message throughout the week with your staff, spouse, colleagues, and friends in the community. Let it simmer and expand to a crescendo so that by the time you step up to preach it you've become the exploding man.
- Pray through your notes in the marketplace (Starbucks, Borders, Sidewalks, etc). Marinate your message in the presence of real people with real needs.
- Spend time with passionate people. Catch what they've got.
- Preach for the next level of ministry in your church.
- Pray and fast regularly. The spiritual disciplines prepare the soul so that your message comes from a deep place of conviction.
What else do you do to develop and maintain passion for preaching?
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