Preach it!

I have an opinion on how preaching should be like and like to share it. Not that I’m a preacher, but it’s just what I think makes a good one.

I’ve heard many preachers over the years. Some were really deep until I wish I had a dictionary with me. There are a few who were really boring that I slept or daydreamed. I don’t advocate such behavior but in times like that, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. There were those where no matter how sleepy I was, I just could not fall asleep but I listened attentively throughout.

“Hey Oli, it’s your responsibility to listen. There’s no such thing as bad preachers. As long as they say the right things, they are good preachers.” I’ve heard before.

Now, let me say it’s the job of the father to communicate with his child, not vice-versa. Likewise, I think a good preacher communicates with his audience. You can say 3 good points but if you can’t communicate it, nothing’s done. If you just want to say 3 points in 45 minutes, the audience can simply read those points off a book.

I’ve heard preaching before that’s very deep. Imagine something like “reverence for divine authority at the expense of rational inquiry...”

Sounds deep, but who cares? Paul says, “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 2:4).

So there are techniques involved like gestures, humor, drawing responses etc. But ultimately, the anointing of God has to be upon the preacher. And when he preaches with that anointing, it’s not just head knowledge that’s given, but the changing power of the Holy Spirit. That’s how my life is transformed.