Preaching in the 21st Century

I was inspired to write today when I read an article about preaching from a colleague of mine Rev. Sondra Willobee, which was published in Worship Arts magazine.

Her article was about the importance of editing your sermon. On the whole I agree, that if one is going to be preaching from a text, it is always important to go back over it for the sake of clarity. I also agree that things that might read well on paper do not always translate well in oratory.

Where I disagreed was with a particular example of editing that was used. I am paraphrasing because I confess, I passed the magazine on to someone else, but the point of it was she used a particular example from her life as an illustration, but on reading it again she remembered a seminary professor saying never to make yourself the hero or the victim in your sermons so she took it out. Now while I agree that all preachers walk a thin line of being self-aggrandizing, I also believe that this is an example of one of those shifts that many mainline churches have failed to grasp, the need for authenticity.

In the 20th century, it was frowned upon for the pastor to indicate that they may have any flaws in their personal life. Preaching was mostly Biblical exhortation that was meant to inspire belief. Today, things are much different with the new generation. People under thirty are looking for authenticity from the church, which is far different from their experience of church growing up. That is also why so many are not in the church today. When a pastor shares their own personal struggles, and their own personal discoveries on their journey of faith, that communicates something. Instead of taking away credibility as was thought in the modern era, in post-modernity, this actually gives the sermon and the pastor more credibility with those who are seeking.

For the millennial generation if pastors are not able to demonstrate their authenticity, then they have no time for them. They do not assume that pastors have the perfect life, the evidence is too overwhelming to believe otherwise. But when we share a bit of ourselves, then we as pastors demonstrate that we have struggled, we have failed, but we were also supported and came out on the other side of the struggle. This generation will identify with and see that as followers of Jesus we can teach them something. I have learned to share a bit more of myself, and it has shown.

Now again we must be cautious not to pat ourselves on the back or call for a pity party for poor ole' me. But at the same time, when we show our authenticity, others can also feel free to share their struggles and see that Christians including pastors are not perfect, but forgiven and striving after a more full relationship with God by following Jesus. Even if we never fully achieve it. What better example of God's grace is there? Preach on.