Due to heretical content given by engaging personalities or boring deliveries given by robust theologians, preaching has received mixed reviews. Preachers can and should be both accurate in content and passionate in delivery.
My heartbeat is to make preaching ministry both expository and engaging.
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2
Expository – When preachers seek to communicate the truth of God’s Word faithfully. They teach what the text teaches and do not try to force an agenda upon the Scripture.
Engaging – When preachers seek to invigorate the listeners to understand that the topic is essential and exciting. They preach the sermon in such a way that catalyzes listeners to obedience.
- Peter wasn’t afraid to tell a joke (Acts 2:15) and then boldly confront sin (Acts 2:23).
- Paul wasn’t bashful about using a cultural reference (Acts 17:23, 28) to set up preaching the truth (Acts 17:30).
- Jesus kept people’s attention for three days with no access to food (Mark 8:1-2), yet the children still enjoyed being around him (Mark 10:16).
You don’t have to be boring to preach an expository sermon.
You don’t have to be a heretic to be engaging in your delivery.
You can and should strive to be both expository and engaging in your delivery.
We desire our preachers to preach so that listeners hear the truth and believe that the preacher truthfully and passionately believes it.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
