I’m asking Andy Stanley some questions about preaching, and I will be recording his answers here.
Well, I’m cheating when I say that: I’m reading his book (Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication
) and generating questions that are answered by his chapters. Sorry, but I think that first paragraph was Andy-esque.
) and generating questions that are answered by his chapters. Sorry, but I think that first paragraph was Andy-esque.
Question for preachers: What is your goal when you preach?
Now my question for you: What is the best evidence that you are preaching according to one of his three goals below? How would you measure the differences?
He poses three answers (and I add the “The goal is…” statements):
1. To teach the Bible to people — and you go through books and are satisfied if you have been faithful and taught what is there. The goal is information.
2. To teach people the Bible — and you go through books but you are focused more on your congregation. Illustrations and applications are more pronounced. The goal is application.
3. To teach people how to live a life that reflects the values, principles, of the truths of the Bible. And here Andy suggests that choosing texts is about what needs to be said and what needs to be done by the congregation. The goal is inspiration.
Andy says this has not only the “So what?” but also the “Now what?” [I preached at Andy’s church and I have to wonder what in the world he thought of what I did. But I do know I’ve shifted from #1 early in my career to somewhere between #2 and #3.]
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