Preaching the truths of the Lord to the congregation is a vital calling in a minister's life. Ministers hope for their sermons to touch the hearts of their listeners, just as believers long to hear messages filled with grace. No minister begins with the ability to deliver profound and polished sermons, as such skill is developed gradually over time.
Pastor Hu, director of an urban church in southeastern China, called by God at an early age, endures over 30 years of experience in pulpit ministry. He shared valuable insights from his practices with a deep heart for cultivating young ministers.
Accurate Interpretation and Preaching Practice
Preaching by ministers resembles lectures delivered by teachers. To train a qualified teacher, one must acquire professional knowledge in the subject at a normal school and master lecturing techniques. Similarly, preaching requires time and effort to accumulate these two aspects.
Through the study of hermeneutics, young ministers can deepen their understanding of the meaning of the Bible, ensuring their sermons are accurate, which is the most basic requirement for preaching. Multiple trial lecturing times also should be arranged. Before the trial, young ministers should draft their prepared sermons word by word, submit them to their mentors for revision, and proceed to trial lecturing after finalizing the sermons.
Hu stressed that sermons must originate from the personal reading of the Bible, prayer, and reflection. While referencing others' ideas is acceptable, plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
Extensive Reading for Deeper Sermon
Apart from natural talent, spiritual gifts, eloquence, and repeated practice, preaching is closely related to the minister’s cultural literacy.
At present, while numerous in the church can deliver sermons, the biggest concern is that they tend to preach shallow messages in the form of slogans or stereotyped writing, lacking depth and relevance. Meaningful sermons that address real-life problems are rare.
Hu suggested young ministers read more. Ministers must learn continuously. While adhering to the study of the Bible, their reading should not be limited to theology or religious books, as well as classical pieces from ancient and modern times, domestic and international, especially Nobel Prize-winning literary works. As ministers expand their reading, their knowledge and perspective will broaden, allowing them to approach issues from a more diverse perspective. Then they can deliver more resonant interpretations and more appealing sermons.
Bridging Classroom Preaching and Church Realities
Training young preachers in the classroom and teaching them how to preach is relatively easy. However, many struggle to connect their classroom learning with the practical realities of preaching and pastoring within a church setting. Transforming written knowledge into life-transforming messages requires a process. Preachers must move beyond model sermons crafted in the classroom to effectively deliver God’s truth while also shepherding their congregation.
Hu encouraged young ministers to actively seek opportunities to preach within churches. He also urged congregations to show greater patience and acceptance toward these ministers. As long as young preachers are committed to serving the Lord, diligently studying Scripture, and preaching the Word, they should be allowed the time to make mistakes and grow.
Learning from Seniors
It is natural for young ministers, especially those new to preaching, to adopt a more academic or theoretical approach. Hu emphasized that feedback from seasoned ministers can be an invaluable resource for their growth. Such feedback is often heartfelt and precise, with even a single piece of sound advice helping young ministers avoid unnecessary missteps.
For example, senior ministers may suggest that young preachers focus on presenting the essence and conclusions of their biblical interpretation on the pulpit while leaving the study of the scriptures off the pulpit. They might also highlight the importance of maintaining a balanced spiritual life, encompassing Bible reading, prayer, and continued learning. Moreover, they could advise that sermon outlines differ from interpretative outlines, encouraging preachers to use relatable examples to connect with their audience and make their messages more impactful.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
