• I’m
increasingly convinced that creativity must be a major focus of preachers committed
to reaching this culture with the gospel. (You may have already figured that
out, based on the two major articles on creativity we’ve already published
in 2005.) That doesn’t mean being “wild and crazy” and emphasizing
shock value — if the emphasis is always on the “show,” then each
successive week the show has to be bigger and better. But it does mean that
we can’t fall back on the “same old thing” Sunday after Sunday
and expect today’s congregations to have the same “brand loyalty”
their grandparents had. We have to continue to think strategically about ways
to overcome communication barriers and reach people with the truths of God’s
Word.
And what we preach
must be God’s Word. Being creative doesn’t require preaching to be
topical in nature. A creative God has given us His creative Word, which is sharper
than any sword; do we dare stand before His people and preach that Word in a
dry and dusty manner? I think the great challenge of the next decade may be
to develop exciting new models of creative expository preaching that will serve
the church in a changing culture.
Too many church
leaders have assumed that being creative requires massive infusions of technology
in worship. Properly used, technology is a helpful communications tool, but
it’s no panacea. It is important to think about the visual as we consider
ways to share God’s truth. But at best, visual images are a support for
the spoken word, not a replacement. We still have to have a Word from the Lord
to share.
• No matter
what shape the culture takes, preaching will continue to play a vital role in
the work and witness of God’s people. For two thousands years, God has
used preachers to reach the lost, encourage the saints, and lead the church.
That will continue to be the case until the Lord returns.
Aren’t you
glad He has called us to be part of it?
___________________________
Michael
Duduit is Editor of Preaching magazine and President of American Ministry
Resources. You can write to him at michael@preaching.com, or visit his website
at www.michaelduduit.com.