Preaching in Serious Times: Interview with James Emery White

We just had one, and it already has definitely given me two series because there was an overwhelming amount of questions on these two topics from our people. And so we’ll do those and probably a third one, too, just because of the number of questions on these two or three topics. If pastors don’t have that kind of pipeline, I’d try to get something like it.

So all of those things I’ve mentioned go into annual planning. But then I always reserve the right to call audibles, and I do all the time because stuff just happens. When the stock market and everything really tanked, we immediately jettisoned everything and did a two-week series called “Faith in a Financial Free-Fall.” The ability to move quickly like that and respond—I always feel the freedom to do that. You’re responding.

Preaching: What are some of those hot-button issues that really concern people in your congregation now?

White: It’s interesting. One of the things that struck me with this last round was how confused and bewildered people are about sin. Can I sin to such a point that God stops forgiving me? What about a sin that I keep doing over and over again after I’ve come to Christ as my leader? What is the “unforgivable sin”? What does it mean when I grieve the Holy Spirit through this? Are there some sins worse than others? And most of it is struggling with post-conversion sin. In fact, this is actually going to be the topic of my next book because I don’t think there’s a lot about it out there. There’s a lot about sin as a topic but not about the spiritual dynamic of being a sinner.

You and I know Christ, and we are attempting to walk with Christ. You and I are also heinous sinners. And we’ve sinned multiple times today. What’s up with that? And what does that do with our relationship with God, and how does He feel about it? And what does it say about sanctification? How does it impact my prayer life and how God views me? Yeah, we all know not to go into cheap grace, but there’s a lot to be explored that’s very gritty. And it’s not often explored because we’re scared to really look our sin in the face. Someone once said, “I don’t know what is in the heart of a rascal, but I know what is in the heart of a good man. And it is a terrible thing to behold.” We don’t talk about that. So there are a lot of questions about that, and we’re going to do a series on that.

Preaching: What’s the thing you enjoy most about preaching?

White: Life change. When you can speak and you see marriages strengthened and families brought together and individuals become Christians, cross the line of faith. When you see light bulbs go off. When you see repentance. When you are able to impact a life—that is what I love most. I honestly can say that when the talk’s over, I just want to get off stage and crawl into a hole somewhere. I’m not one who just loves to sit around and glad-hand. I’m a little bit more of an introvert, but I love the life change. I love the life change.