Practical Preaching
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that high schools are “ditching economics, giving priority to practical education.”
The reason?
“In a world of limited resources, state education departments are giving priority to the practical over the conceptual.”
I think this is a great move on the part of these schools. Students need to know how to manage money before they step into the proverbial “real world.”
This is the approach that I have taken to my teaching and preaching ministry, too. To be more practical than conceptual. To help men and women, teenagers, and boys and girls to leave on a Sunday with truth that will take them through the rest of the week (and hopefully the rest of their lives).
I’m afraid that many pastors forget they are preaching to people with 9-5 jobs, carpools, and overflowing schedules. They need to know how to follow Christ when the bills are due, the kids are sick, and the car just broke down.
When I say practical preaching, I am not discounting doctrine. Even challenging doctrine. What I’m advocating for is a simplicity in preaching that makes sense to the person sitting in the pew on any given Sunday. After all, we are preaching to regular folks, not seminary professors or Greek scholars!*
May I encourage you to do what J. Vernon McGee used to talk about: put the cookies on the lower shelf so they are easy to get to, especially for those who are younger in the faith.
Book Recommendation: Simplicity in Preaching by J. C. Ryle
*Unless you minister in a church near a seminary or Bible college
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/personal-finance-education-schools-852d8561?mod=djemCareers