If I didn't know it well I would be wheels off. Everything I've done in the last 14 years is on manuscript. Every word written down prior to walking on stage. I have gone through a period where I write it out, handwrite it. But now I'm dictating it and my assistant is typing it, but then I correct and go through everything. I use the group and then by myself again on Saturday I'll go through it.
Preaching: Some critics might believe that with all the emphasis on creativity it would be possible to give less priority to the Bible in preaching Tell me about your use of scripture in your messages.
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Young: If you're thinking about topics or an expositional series or a character study, it all comes from the Bible. For example, one of the most popular series we've done is a series called "Just Lust." It's a topical series but everything of course from that comes from the authority of the Bible. You know what I'm saying? On the other hand I did a series like the "X-files." This was an expositional series through the book of James. Taking James and just exegeting scripture. Another series was called "Ignite." I traced fire through the Old Testament. That was cool. It was a kind of expositional preaching.
Everything we do comes from a biblical worldview and according to the Bible, like a series I just did called "RPM's — Recognizing Potential Mates." Those are biblical, scriptural principals. So even if it's a topical series, I'm always in the Bible.
When I look at the balanced menu of messages that we try to do during a year, we'll have exposition series, and then we'll do topical stuff — maybe some about felt needs, some about family, marriages — and we kind of try to keep a balance. We're a biblically-driven church. Also, I try to tell people that we're application-driven. You don't need a Bible study; you need a Bible doing class. It's great to study but do it. We try to say things to people — I want them talking about what I'm talking about during the weekend.
Preaching: You've done some very creative things over the years — the tank, and I think you drove a Mercedes up on the platform one time. Have you ever done one of those kinds of things and you look back and say, "Boy, did that bomb. It just didn't work."
Young: I've felt good about almost all of them well because of the Creative Team. If you don't have a creative team you're going to mess up a lot on that. Some things will bomb, some things won't work. Too many people try to force visuals or creative elements. If you have to force it …