When I started serving as minister at Sardinia Baptist Church two and a half years ago, I quickly realized I was much more comfortable Teaching rather than Preaching.
At first, I wasn't even aware that there was a difference and I'm still not sure where the line between the two actually is drawn.
Maybe I'm being overly simplistic, but I understand Preaching as aimed at the heart and the spirit. It is meant to motivate and persuade.
And Teaching is aimed at the mind, seeking to foster knowledge and understanding. Its goal is to explain and equip.
Both can and should spur transformation. Under Preaching, it is the transformation of thoughts, words, and actions.
And under Teaching, it is the imagination.
I don't suppose either is inherently more valuable, but I do think there is an order: Teaching first, and then Preaching.
There should be an order and there should be balance.
But in the American church, Preaching has long been prioritized over Teaching.
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