In every way preach Christ. That is my goal and my honor. I consider it a sacred trust, a burden, a responsibility, as well as a blessing to stand before people with the Word of Life. I never take the task lightly and I rarely step aside from the pulpit completely satisfied.
I want to toss something that has been on my mind for sometime that is a little frustrating...but perhaps writing about it and hearing your responses will help me sort it out some.
It's probably been 20 years ago that I first heard the quote attributed to Fred Craddock: "The worst kind of preaching is, the same."
I have made it my life to study preaching. To study the Word to be prepared, but more, to study the art of preaching. Not that it shows too often, but I have learned much from many. And I'm not through learning.
In 1987 I started using "fill in the blank" outlines. I suppose some might say it is a gimmick, but honestly, I've never felt like I had the ability to communicate in a way that kept folks attention but people have always commended and seemed to apprecaite the outlines. So I started using them. About the same time and for much the same reason I started most always having at least 5 points in sermons. On the outlines I use them almost every time I preach. It is VERY rare that I do not use them. It provides ability for the listener to follow the flow of the sermon and since I use complete sentence outlines a reference if they share the sermon with another or go back to review them later. The fill in the blank prompts the listener but doesn't tell them too much. My friend James uses to fill in the blanks before the sermon and his answers were always very entertaining :). Doing the outlines adds at least two or three hours to my prep time most weeks. Unless I'm using a Rick Warren sermon (yes, I'm being honest, he outlines just like me - or vice-versa). I like to put an action word in every point and a personal pronoun.
I added "Kid Words" about 10 years ago. I remember when I was probably 5 or 6 a preacher saying that as a child if you have a hard time listening write down two words - i.e. God, Christ, Bible, Heaven, etc. And count which the preacher said most often. It helped me and I figure there are other little ones listening, so I added that to the outlines.
Outlines: I think they help and if they help some to "stay with the sermon" then it is worth it. But I am in a routine. I think they are one of the things that helps people listen to me and so I use them and I use them all the time, cause what if the one time I didn't someone showed up who this was what drew them to listen and their life was changed? But I know some people and some sermons don't lend themselves to this. So I think sometimes I shouldn't but I keep on 'cause again, what if that one time? Not everyone appreciates them and some plain don't like them. And I'd like to give them a break sometime. But what if the Sunday I didn't use one a non-Christian was in the audience for the first time and they couldn't follow - see.
About five years ago I started using PowerPoint. One of the most helpful things happened when a fellow "whipped me with a wet noodle" about how preachers use PowerPoint incorrectly. We make it about words and it is about pictures. Man, he changed and greatly improved what I do. Yes, I know it's a new technology, but the most effective of preachers have always used both what is happening in culture as well as aids that come along to improve their impact. BUT it also adds at least 2 hours of prep time to every sermon to do it right. And then some people just don't like PowerPoint and I can appreciate that. But more people in our culture are visual learners. I think, at least once every week - I won't do PowerPoint this week and then I start thinking - what if a person shows up who has a hard time listening to preaching but the visual aspect that PowerPoint allow brings there attention to the spoken Word? Same thing. I don't want to be in a rut...but what if that was the Sunday?
Man, do I over think this stuff or what? I do take it seriously. I'd be interested in hearing/seeing your thoughts on this. Preachers and non-preachers alike. Mostly listeners.
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15 comments:
It's weird for me that you wrote this post...I was thinking of writing something very similar to it this morning.
Basically, I think it's important that every preacher tries to find his own voice. There are some who might use this as an excuse for laziness, saying "this is just how I preach." It is important that we communicate in ways that appeal to all learning styles. If a person is an extremely visual learner or an extremely hands-on learner, it is hard for them to get much out of an entirely verbal sermon.
But while giving respect to the differing styles, we should try to be ourselves. There was only one Marshall Keeble. There is presently only one Rob Bell, though I've started to see lots of Rob Bell ripoffs popping up. There's nothing wrong with being yourself. I think people appreciate communication more when they feel it is genuine.
So if 5 points works for you, then great. I tend to be more of a 1 Major Point preacher. Some can do the traditional 3 point thing very effectively. I think all of these honor God.
I think there's something to be said, also, for occasionally giving out some evaluation sheets (just like in your university Preaching course) to have people honestly tell you "This worked for me", or "here's what didn't work for me."
We should always view ourselves as works in progress; always desiring to be better today than we were yesterday.
There's my $0.02. :-)
Mark
Dale,
I have heard nothing but good things from the outlines, even though I tend to take notes in a different format.
Alyssa uses them and keeps them - that says a lot when a 17 year old is paying attention.
As for 5 points, I have always been of the opinion that you people should leave with one workable idea or solution for life. If it takes 5 points to get them there great - but it is typically too much for my feeble mind.
What a timely post for me Dale. I have been with New Spring Creek just short of nine months. Approximately four months ago I began using "fill in the blanks" outlines to handout to those who were interested. I immediately received overwhelming positive feedback and something very close to a "warning" that I must never stop this practice. Several members take one for a co-worker to study with. Others take them home to family members or friends that were unable to attend the service.
I'm continually growing in my use of the outlines and appreciate very much the tips you've learned over the years. I hope to grow in my knowledge of using this tool as I always continue to grow in my knowledge and understanding of the Word.
Nothing but nothing should ever crowd out the most powerful tool God has given each of us. Preach the Word! Dale that has been the greatest quality I've seen in you for the limited number of times I've had the opportunity to listen.
I look forward to you and the other subscribers posting thoughts that will provide us with many more helpful hints.
Mike
First, I think you are carrying a tremendous burden of responsibility with your "what ifs". What if you have an off day and that onetime visitor hears one of your worst. Remind yourself weekly that God fills in the gaps. I do this daily, but then I have LOTS of gaps.
Secondly, I love the outlines. They help me focus and I am stashing them in a place my kids will find them after I am gone and I can continue to "teach" them. (I found all kinds of "lessons" when I inherited my granddad's bible.) If I didn't like the outline I'd just let it sit quietly beside me on the pew while I listened intently with superhuman focus. As for the 5 points, type of word, etc. All those are good memory tools. On Tuesday, if I am trying to relate your lesson to someone at work I know I need to keep proding my memory until I find 5. If you changed it up all the time I'd be remembering the one point that hit me hardest and that's about it. But I have a disfunctional memory stick so perhaps mine is a unique experience. Also, I've never noticed you making up stupid points just to get to 5. : )
Thirdly, I have no opinion on the power point. My imagination is always more vivid than any visual you could use. (This is part of the problem with me focusing) Once again, if I didn't like it I'd focus on my outline and ignore the powerpoint.
And finally, there is some wisdom in the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." It doesn't seem to be broke.
I was in the 6th Grade when in Bible study (Your Grandmother, my Aunt Geneva) the teacher, asked the class if we were listening to the sermon... We all said "YES" Are you sure she asked? Then we had a test. What was the Sermon about? What was the scripture it was taken from (at least one of the main ones) Who lead the last prayer? Who lead the first prayer? Name 3 songs we sang? What was last weeks sermon? who lead the closing prayer last week?
Well let me just say that I was prepared for the test the next week... and it showed me we can sit still and look like we are listening and we are NOT hearing and retaining very much. It was a new way to listen for me. As an adult, some times LIFE is so full of problems its hard, for me at least, to cut off and focus on This Lord's day... and so note taking is my way of listening.
When I had my own children we gave them a list of words to listen for, very much like your list I often added words when I saw the Sermon name in the bulletin or hand out at church. As they grew older I had them ... write down each passage used with book,chapter and verse.
You have a range of ages and educational backgrounds so sounds to me like there is something in your sermons for every one to grasp a hold of something to apply to their lives. The outlines I think would make it great for the moms of little ones to take home and go over them to refresh their memory during the week.
As for as the "if"s go maybe we all need to think more about IF's in our on life. What if a weak brother or sister saw me or heard me? Is my Christ likeness showing? What IF it didn't? I thnk we all can look at ourself and "if" ourself into a closer walk with the Lord.
Maybe its a genetic flaw? GRIN! I personally grew up with a "what if" going on in my mind. I count it as a blessing to keep me working continuely to walk in the Light and not taking my walk for granted.
Power Point and pictures too? wow, okay now I want to come worship at SM. I use to love the bed sheet sermons...uh oh, now I have gone and dated myself.
Good Job Cuz! Brenda
Where is the spell checker??? LOL
In academia, most folks will tell you that the type of learning that best prepares "students" for life are those type of educational methodologies that incorporate active learning. One of the least effective means for student learning (i.e., retention, understanding, and application) is straight forward lecture, yet, we tend to utilize that almost entirely in our church services even though they are designed by God to be "participatory".
When I look at scripture, we do see many times there was lecture, but in most cases it was lecture in the midst of question and answer (i.e., more active participation). Of course this also brings up other questions/issues to consider. First, the most important question is to ask, "what are we there for?" Quite simply to worship God and to uplift, encourage, and admnoish each other through singing, prayer, and study. Of course there's also the Lord's Supper and giving as important aspects of our worship service. Next, we know there are scriptures that address the woman's role in worship. We also know that things are supposed to be "decent and in order" and if others are speaking, there should be organization to it, etc. With all that being said, I'm not sure our straight forward lecture (with supporting materials like handouts) is still the most representative of scripture?
I think the first century church had a lot more personal testimony built into their worship. It was more interactive and therefore incorporated more active learning techniques into the worship. It was not drama, but rather a pouring out of the heart their devotion to God.
Typically we have been scared away from that.....because you are not sure what people are going to say. Have we thrown the baby out with the bathwater because of our fear?
I don't know if I have any of the answers to this, but it is something I have thought quite a bit about lately. To bring this full circle, the use of handouts/powerpoint are methods which do promote more active learning and therefore, I personally think they are effective learning tools. The other big question is do we have other educational methodologies that keep us sound doctrinally but can be used to increase member learning and ultimately increase spiritual maturity????
Dale,
I love your outlines. This helps me keep focused during the lesson. Also, it helps me later during the week when I reflect on the sermon.
Nancy L.
Dale, Raymon Kelcy told me in the early 80s that he read or re-read a book on the skill of preaching every year. He figured that someone who did that work ought to know something about it.
I have tried to do the same, but I am still struggling. Sometimes it is helpful just to concentrate on a part of the sermon: intro, body, closing, invitation. I ask questions like:
how many illustrations are enough and how many are too much?
have I looked long and hard at the people to whom I am preaaching? what do they need?
did I preach ideas or was there an application to what I said?
am I any different because of this message I have prepared?
Dale, I have told you that I think you are one of my favorite preachers. I meant that. It pleases me to know you take your work so seriously. You should. We have the most important work in the world.
your brother,
Phil
The discussion on preaching is one that is close to my heart. I am like you, always searching for new, better, ways to preach the unchanging word. You delivered one of the best lessons I ever heard, I believe you did this because of your desire in staying relevant, and studying the communication process. I would love a blog about the best preaching books you have read.
You have a gift for reaching people with your public speaking skills.
The term “theater of the mind” is very germane to your blog regarding the use of power-point in your sermons.
Having seen you speak on several occasions, I believe your gift is strongest when power-point use is at a minimum. The fewer visuals there are on the screen, the more impressions are created in people’s minds.
That is just one opinion (I’m sure you’re shocked).
Dale, thanks for being the kind of preacher who longs to keep preaching fresh.
I need help from one of your "posters" and I'm not sure how to reach him. TomC said, "When I look at scripture, we do see many times there was lecture, but in most cases it was lecture in the midst of question and answer (i.e., more active participation)." I was not aware of this especially the question and answer part, and would appreciate the basis for this.
He also said, "I think the first century church had a lot more personal testimony built into their worship." Again I wonder the basis for this.
Tom, I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Uncle Dan
To Alabamakiwi: First, let me start off by saying that I may be dead wrong, however, when I read the New Testament a few things continue to come up over and over. One, when we see what we would define as sermons today, there was usually alway another party speaking or asking questions. For example, Acts 2 shows Peter's sermon which was followed up with one of the most important questions in the Bible. Another great example is Paul delivering a message in Athens which was followed immediately by questions and some wanted to hear more, which again, sounds like more of a dialogue versus a one-sided sermon. Now, the argument could be made that these events were not Sunday morning sermons, but rather their everyday teaching. I admit that this may very well be the case, but I struggle to understand why the teaching done at those events with the purpose to convert souls would be different from what they would deliver on a Sunday morning.
Also, regarding personal testimony, much of my opinion on this comes from the Pauline epistles. 1Corinthians 14 tells us that several people spoke....Paul encouraged them to "prophesy" to edify the church rather than just speaking in tongues which may not be able to be interpreted. This passage also tells us that the men that prophesied should do so in order so that they could be instructed and encouraged. Again, I see this as a much more interactive process versus what we do today. I also note in the scriptures in several places that Paul sent people to particular churches to give updates about what was happening with Paul and themselves personally. Now, I recoginize that this was a unique time period and they didn't have the scripture for study as in many cases it was being read to them on that occasion, but I just can't help but believe that they were eagerly sharing their personal experiences and how these wonderful works were taking place right in front of them.
Perhaps I am wrong, but that's part of the reason I added the qualifier "I think" in that message. It is just the perception I get as I study the Bible.
Thanks TomC for you thoughts.
Great article! Also PowerPoint presentations are virtually ineffective if the picture, words, etc...don't contrast enough with the background.
Yellow font...white background.
Red font...blue background.
etc...bad.
Contrast your picture with the background as well. It will stand out and really help a speakers points.
By the way...I've never seen one of your PowerPoint presentations, so I'm not picking on you! Just following up with another observation! Take care, Dale! You are a positive person!
russell
A very noble goal indeed!
I enjoy having handouts to follow the sermon especially having passages listed that are about to be used/quoted so I can be a step ahead. Did you get your brother hooked on them or the other way around? I don't consider fill-in-the-blank outlines a "gimmick" at all, however, I do think that having all the key words start with the same letter is sometimes too contrived and may be a bit "gimmicky".
I enjoy PowerPoints too when done effectively - but I'm sure it adds significantly to your preparation time.
Just a few thoughts from Texas
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