HOW SHALL THEY HEAR? [Sun, 9-7-25]

BEYOND WINTER: The Irrelevant Musings of An Old Preacher—HOW SHALL THEY HEAR? [Sun, 9-7-25]

 

As I write this, it is early Sunday morning, and I am thinking about what I’ll preach, even though there is no chance to do so. Because preaching is important. As the Apostle, Paul, said, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” How will folks hear the Good News of Christ, and have the chance to respond to it, unless someone can present it in a helpful fashion?

Unfortunately, preaching is at a low ebb.

My theological alma mater sent all alums an invitation to mentor current students. I was intrigued. I once wanted to teach preaching in a seminary. I thought this mentoring was something I could do even in my old-age decrepitude.

The invitation listed all the areas that might be included in pastoral work and asked us to mark the ones where we could mentor. I ran through categories such as Faith & Culture, Educational Leadership, Pastoral Care, Public Ministry, LGBTQ Studies, Peace Studies, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, Ecological Regeneration, Evangelism & Church Planting, Social Organizing…looking for Preaching. It wasn’t there.

Not surprising, really. Very few students at my old alma mater want a career as a parish pastor, and if they do, their interest is in pastoral counseling or church administration, not in preaching.

The assumption seems to be that everyone already knows the Gospel and so, there is no need for preaching. Now we just need ways to apply the Gospel to the world.

 I don’t think that is true.

For sure, traditional forms of preaching are outmoded. One person standing up in front of others for 20 minutes, to educate and inspire… that is totally foreign to the way we do communication now. Yes, even with video clips on the now ubiquitous sanctuary screens, who can take that seriously?

Frankly, I think that the church, and the world, is ready, even yearning, for a renewal of preaching. Yes, I mean one person standing up in front of others and speaking the Word in words.

It’s actually a novel concept in this world of little screens and big screens and all screens in between. I mean, a real person? Just talking? Right to us? No filters? Telling stories? No explosions or dances or flashing lights? How intriguing!

It’s too bad that no one understands what an exciting job that can be.

John Robert McFarland

“How shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14.