GREATEST PROBLEM IN PREACHING

"The greatest problem in preaching is not the preparation of the sermon but the preparation of the preacher." - Dennis Kinlaw

Now that I am preaching weekly I keep telling people that I have come to the realization that I was not ready to preach even 3 years ago. It was a few weeks into preaching at Sardinia Baptist Church - where I was called this past March - when I realized that I was, in fact, finally prepared to preach. 

(Admittedly, this means that I was not yet ready when I was preaching weekly at the little United Methodist Church in Marietta, Indiana 25 years ago. By God's mercy for that congregation, it was a short-term gig.)

What has changed in the meantime? What has brought me to a point where I feel prepared to examine and proclaim the word of God on a regular basis?

A few things, off the top of my head and in no particular order:

• My recent doctorate classes through Wesley Biblical Seminary (wonderfully relevant information which has landed more firmly in my mature years)
• Developing a consistent prayer and bible study life apart from sermon preparation (without this, a preacher feels like an imposter - because he is)
• Maintaining a daily writing habit for 2 and a half years now (clarifying my thinking)
• Getting knocked around pretty hard by life and by professing believers (the greatest growth comes through the toughest times - and Melissa and I had plenty of fertilizer dumped on us) 
• Learning some things about persuasion and psychology as a result of getting knocked around (this has given insight into fallen human nature and sinfulness - in my own heart as well as in the hearts of others)
• Paying attention to debates regarding Calvinism (which has clarified what I believe and why)

All good stuff - none of it in place three years ago - except the beginning of the knocking around!

To be clear, I am far from claiming to be a great preacher ... yet - I am only saying the Spirit has been preparing me for the serious duty and privilege of preaching.