I love when to preach. It scares me and humbles me at the same time. Over the years, I studied different styles of preaching from modern to classical styles. I appreciate the classical preaching styles and techniques the most. I stilldon’t know what “classical” means per se’, but I appreciate ideas from people from past decades who were masters of the pulpit.
Much of the preaching we see today requires movement and speaking without notes. I preach from notes. I wish I were smart enough from a brief outline, but I take the example of John Piper and Bob Russel in the use of notes, as well as standing in one place while I deliver the message. I alos think through the classical preachers of old who wrote out their sermons with penciland paper determined to give a solid message.
I think the biggest thing for me, as it always has, is a very determined approach to control every word that falls from my lips–so that they may truly be well thought out and useful. Some people achieve this every-time they speak–I usually get in trouble when I try that. Some people also don’t give it much thought–believing that the Holy Spirit speaks through you as you are preaching. I believe that this process mostly takes place through the grueling work of study. There are different approaches and different styles. This is how I choose mine.
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This is a fresh rewrite of a post titled Hohenfels, Germany from November 2007.