The Preacher as Sermon: How Who You Are Shapes What They Hear
By Steve Norman (PreachingToday.com)
Steve Norman’s struggle as a preacher is not preparing the sermon; it’s “living my life in a way that gives birth to good preaching,” that “generates life-giving preaching.” And no, that doesn’t entail a calendar full of Instagram-worthy global travel or extreme experiences.
In The Preacher as Sermon, Norman outlines 10 ways of being that preachers need to remember and embody for their sermon preparation to reach its mark in the hearer’s heart. He begins with the biblical definition of a preacher.
Norman grounds the preacher in Pauline descriptions of proclaimers, prophetic descriptions of messengers against sin and gospel descriptions of calling for repentance. He also cites biblical references to describe the preacher’s context and audience.
The remaining nine ways of being also are drawn from Scripture. Norman reminds preachers to find their identity in Christ and not in their performance in front of a critical human audience. With this identification secure, the preacher is free to proclaim God’s message for the people.
Preachers and their preaching also are shaped by what Norman calls their “social location”—what philosophers call “situatedness”—as well as their core themes and mentors. Preachers should be attentive to these things.
Other ways of being include preachers living life with their communities; engaging intimately with God; experimenting and trying new approaches with their preaching; learning from and coaching other preachers; addressing drains on joy—such as fatigue, resentment and grief; and suffering with others.
The Preacher as Sermon is the right length for a busy preacher, with each chapter broken into easily digestible sections.
Eric Black, executive director, publisher, editor
Baptist Standard
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