So, what is preaching?

Well, the answer to that question sometimes depends upon who you ask!

In the general sense, preaching means to herald or proclaim openly something which has been done. Biblically defined preaching means an open public proclamation of the “gospel,” such as demonstrated in the New Testament by John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles of Jesus or other Christian followers. I could not do this article justice without pointing out that the word “gospel” means “good news” as it relates to Jesus’ redeeming work towards all mankind.

All that being said, let me reassert the notion that the answer to “What is preaching?” can depend on who you ask! It has been my humble privilege to teach at various churches, even of differing denominations, about this very subject.

In most cases I have learned that congregants usually define preaching more in terms of style over substance. Some congregations prefer an Armani-suit clad, well-groomed, baritone voiced, smooth speaking preacher. While other congregations prefer a more business-casual type of fellow, still well-groomed, but no one wants to see him in a $1,000 suit. It’s acceptable for their preacher to get a little loud and perhaps even rhyme a phrase or two, but he better never go Pentecostal. Still yet others prefer a blue-jean-wearing, full-voiced, slobbering, hacking, bench jumping wild man. Plus various combinations thereof.

In order to make the point via illustration, I am going to slightly modify something my great-grandfather used to say. To do that, I am going to call these preachers Armani-Suit, Kohl’s-Casual and Walmart-Practical.

As each preacher in his turn comes to the pulpit the following unfolds:

Armani-Suit preacher with baritone voice clearly dictates: “The little dog ran around the rosebush!”

Granddad immediately responds; “That’s not preaching.”

Kohl’s-Casual preacher with rhythmic cadence says: “The little dog, he ran around the rosebush!”

Granddad, slightly pausing, responds; “No, that’s still not preaching.”

Walmart-Practical preacher, loudly, with rhythmic cadence, gasping for breath says: “The little dog, he ran around the rosebush, huh!”

Granddad frantically responds: “Now that’s preaching!”

My great-grandfather’s point over 60 years ago and my point are the same as the point that Paul made to the church at Corinth when he said:
1 Corinthians 3.3: For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Again I ask, what is preaching?

Preaching is proclaiming repentance in the name of Jesus Christ the only one worthy to redeem mankind from sin. To unbelievers preaching the message of salvation in Jesus’ name only is foolishness in any style.

To those who believe by faith, preaching is the power of God that points to salvation.

It does not matter what style the preacher has, what matters is what he preaches!