Stephen Farris, in 1998, wrote a book titled, “Preaching That Matters.” In this volume Farris revealed the need for the contemporary preacher of God’s Word to connect today’s audience with the ancient biblical text. In other words, Farris urged that today’s preachers must make a concerted effort to uncover the present bridge that closes the gap between the dusty streets of 1st century Jerusalem and the concrete pavements of a 21st century society. In doing so the preacher reveals the relevancy of God’s Word for contemporary society.
Relevant preaching has been a cry often heard over the past decade. In fact, in speaking with pastors of past generations, relevancy has always been an issue. It seems this cry has been vocalized because of many complaints from the unchurched and others over dry, irrelevant preaching. Unfortunately, this has led to accusations that the Bible, itself, is not relevant for today. In response, many well-intentioned preachers have formed their sermons around the perceived needs of their audience. While this may be appropriate in some circumstances and the preacher is unwise to neglect the happenings in the lives of his church members, preaching that begins with human needs is limited preaching. In the attempt for relevancy, many preachers have neglected, in my humble opinion, the true power of God’s Word to persuade. It seems that while the preacher’s audience is in the need of drastic surgery, the preacher in an attempt to “quick-fix” his audience’s present cirumstances, is only dealing with symptoms of an underlying disease. Further, some preachers try too hard for relevance in their preaching and fail in authentically communicating an authentic message. In other words, the preacher who is zealous for relevancy fails to be fair to his audience, fair to his biblical duty to “preach the Word,”, and fair to the biblical text he tries so hard to make relevant.
I propose that when the unchurched and others question the relevancy of God’s Word, they are actually (and maybe unknowingly) objecting not to the relevancy of God’s Word, but to the ethos (trustworthiness/credibility) and the pathos (passion, manner of communication) of the preacher. The cry for relevant preaching should never be confused as a cry for a relevant message. As preachers of God’s Word we already have a relevant message, yet it is our communication and application of that message that needs to be relevant.
Thus, “preaching that matters” is a phrase that is sure to be welcome by those who have grown tired of “performance” sermons. “Performance” preaching occurs when preachers use a different demeanor and voice than what they usually use in normal conversation and fail to apply Scripture to a 21st century setting. It is a phrase that, I believe, emphasizes the need for engaging the audience in a manner that is relevant for their workplace yet uncompromising on biblical truth. “Preaching that matters” is preaching that stylistically engages the audience in a passionate conversation with a relevant biblical text which is interpreted in its original historical context and applied in a way that enables the audience to use this eternal truth throughout every hour of their day. This is “preaching that matters.” It is not only a stylistic issue but a hermeneutic one as well. When the preacher’s interpretation and application is faithful to the original meaning of the biblical text and the preacher communicates and applies it in an engaging way, then he becomes involved in “Preaching that matters.”
, I have loved preaching and telling people about Jesus. 