Definitions of Preaching

What is it, Exactly, that we are doing?

Through the years, one of the first assignments I’ve often given new preaching students has been to write their own definition of preaching.  Before we get into the nuts and bolts of the task, it’s important to reflect theologically and philosophically on just what it is that we are doing.

 I’ve also collected quite few definitions from past and present preachers and teachers of preaching.   Here are a few of my favourites:

 Preaching is …

• “The art of leading men from a lower life to a higher life.”  --Henry Ward Beecher

•  “Incarnation: The spirit of a man is made alive by the heavenly breath, and he breaths over others in such a way that they are made alive also.” -- David Smith

•  “The Communication of truth to men by a man.  Truth through personality.”  -- Phillips Brooks

•  “Communication of divine truth with the purpose of convincing.” -- T.H. Pattison

•  “Divine truth communicated through a chosen voice in response to a human need.”  -- A.W. Blackwood

•  “Communication of Biblical truth by a man to men with the express purpose of seeking a change in behavior”. -- J. Daniel Baumann

•  “The act of orally communicating a biblical truth through a Christian person, in the power of the Holy Spirit, with the purpose of catalyzing a divine-human encounter.” -Grant Lovejoy

•  “Not a speech about God.  The speech of God.” -- Von Allmen

•  “An otherworldly discourse.” -- Calvin Miller

•  “Expository exultation” – John Piper

•  “God speaking in the power of His Spirit about His Son from His word through a man.” – Thabati Anyabwile

•  “The communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher applies it to the hearers.” -- Haddon Robinson

•  “Helping people to behold the glory of Jesus.” -- J.D. Greer

•  “The sacred stewardship of handling the Scripture and presenting it to a group of people.”  -- Eric Geiger

•  “A bridge building operation where a real person connects the real Jesus to real people.” -- Kyle Idleman

•  “Unfolding the text of Scripture in such a way that makes contact with the listener’s world while exalting Christ and confronting them with the need for action.” -- Alistair Begg

•  “To rightly interpret and explain the text, in its context, and to bring the text to bear upon the lives of the congregants.”  -- Jason Allen

Writing Your Own definition

As you can see, the range of definitions is wide and varied, each with its own angle.  And each angle highlights something true about this task.   I’ve written a number of my own definitions through the years and, looking back on them, I can trace my own preaching journey.  Our definitions (and by extension our thinking about preaching) tend to fall into one or more of these categories:

 Methodological Definitions focus on the process of preaching.

 Existential Definitions draw more attention to the calling and compulsion of the preacher.

 Phenomenological Definitions concentrate on what is taking place in the preaching moment – including the work of God in the sermon.

 Pragmatic Definitions keep the result in view – what we expect preaching to accomplish.

 Of course, more often than not, definitions of preaching are a combination of two or more of these elements.

 How do you define preaching?  If you haven’t already done so, take some time to write your current definition.   I think you will find that the exercise will both sharpen and inspire you in your preaching ministry.  Revisit, review, refine, and rewrite your definition from time to time.  Keep your reflection on preaching current, and you’ll find that your practice of preaching will remain fresh for both you and your hearers.

Why it Matters

Lately, my own reflection on preaching has revolved around an important question: Why does preaching matter?  It’s a fair question, and given the time and effort that busy pastors must put into preparing and delivering sermons, it’s one that we need to answer.  

 Over the next four posts in this series, I’ll give four reasons preaching matters – four answers that inspire me to keep putting in the effort to “bring it” every time:

1. Preaching Creates Culture (The Cultural Function)

2. Preaching Makes Disciples (The Pedagogical Function)

3. Preaching Engages Brokenness (The Prophetic Function)

4. Preaching Exalts God (The Liturgical Function)