One person's preparation for preaching
This article is about the mechanics of preparing to preach. It is not about why we preach or how we preach, but it is one preacher's notes on the process of getting ready to preach. A starting point We have to start somewhere. My starting point is the lectionary.

When I was a student at Emory and Henry, I received an appointment as a student pastor. I soon learned the preacher's truism: "Come Sunday, come sermon." That was 1959, and it is still true. At fi rst I struggled with topics (prayer, death, stewardship, missions) and then biblical biographies (Paul, Peter, Noah, Abraham) and then biblical books (Amos, Jonah, Philemon, etc.). Then, a colleague suggested beginning with scripture and listening to what the Bible is saying to life today.

Because Methodism didn't have a true lectionary back then, I started using the Episcopal lectionary. When the Revised Common Lectionary came along, I embraced it gladly. The discipline of using a lectionary prevents us from dealing with the same pet themes over and over. Frankly, it forced me to read parts of the Bible that I might not otherwise have read.

Scriptural preaching depends upon doing an honest exegesis of the scripture. When we are open to the impact of the Word on our lives, God speaks to us and through us. Exegesis leads to exposition. Exegesis is the "reading out" of the text, and exposition is the way we articulate that to the congregation.

Forcing an outline

Getting an outline is hard work. Sooner or later, after you've dealt with the meaning of a passage, there comes the diffi cult task of deciding how to communicate that meaning. We move from what the Bible says to what I have to say about it. This is the process: the Bible's story becomes our story, and then we share that story with others in preaching.

Suggestion: brainstorm a list of things you would like to say based on this scripture. Group the ideas into clumps. Notice whether or not there are items which logically depend on other points. Observe the fl ow within the periscope. Sometimes the Bible outlines it for us. Paul writes, "If Christ has not been raised É still in sins É without hope." Then, he affi rms dramatically, "But in fact Christ has been raised." So, he gives us a two point outline: Not raised – raised.

Edmond Steimle, my homiletics professor in seminary, hated a threepoint outline, suggesting that a two or four pointer worked best. I'm not sure I agree. Regardless of the number of points, the material should "progress" or "fl ow" to a new level. Ernest Campbell used to say, "If you can switch any of the points around, you've got a dog!"

Finding appropriate illustrations

Every preacher's frustration is fi nding appropriate illustrations. I have two suggestions that help me. First, I look for an illustration that would help clarify a major point. Minor points are not worth illustrating – forget it! I try to think of a Bible story, a hymn, a story from history or the daily newspaper. The more commonplace the better. Avoid pedantic or esoteric illustrations. The best illustration is one that everyone understands.

Second, I make a list of "hot topics" that people have been talking about all week. This week's list includes the heat, football season coming, school starting, terrorism, etc. Sometimes, we receive a "gift from heaven" and miraculously an illustration will appear. One word of caution: make sure it is appropriate, or you'll have "an illustration looking for a sermon."

What every layperson needs to hear

Sometimes sermons fall fl at because we preach some really great ideas and fail to say what we want our hearers to do. I think of several of the people in our church and ask myself, "What claim is the message making on him or her?" What new decision would result? How would this message help them hear the claim of God on their lives? I imagine them asking me, "OK, preacher, what is it you want me to do?" I include children in this question also. This is my fi nal step in sermon preparation, but often this question forces me to go back and make signifi - cant changes in the sermon plan - hopefully for the best.

James A. Dougherty is pastor of Broadway UMC, Maryville

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The Clergy Connection is a communication produced and written by the Clergy of Holston Conference for the purposes of deepening relationships, encouraging spiritual growth, increasing awareness of challenging opportunities, imparting useful information, stimulating theological exploration, providing a forum for honest expression and sharing the joys of creative ministries.

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