Some of the most negative things I have done or had done to me have taught me a great deal. Life does work us over before it's done. But yes, I always have to leave you in a positive light. The sharing of any autobiographical story ought to have some intent to illuminate, to make clear what our options are.8

Along with confessions of personal struggle, we must offer confessions of sin that move from the darkness to the light. Acknowledgement of sin should always move toward a redemptive word. Self-disclosive stories should not be simply stories of sin confessed. Unhealthy preachers sometimes commit this abuse when needing to "purge" themselves of some guilt. Sound preachers acknowledge the sin but then proceed to reveal evidence of God's deliverance in their lives. Moreover, the movement toward the light reveals the possibility of that deliverance for all who hear.

Our personal stories do not always have to be "easy listening" that accentuates the positive in superficial fashion. Nevertheless, the story must point to the Gospel to some perceptible degree. This movement to the positive is reinforced not only by the words we use, but also through our delivery. Volume, pitch, and rate, along with the physical elements of posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact serve us in assuring the congregants that in the end the News is Good.

Dangerous Lines

One of the ongoing challenges for ministers is awareness of personal and professional boundaries. Wayne Oates, the father of pastoral counseling, underscores this fundamental concern in many of his writings.9 I recall numerous moments in his classes at Southern Baptist Seminary when he would identify sound knowledge of one's limits as the primary sign of a healthy, professional minister. This knowledge of limits extends to our use of personal stories from the pulpit.

When we wrestle with our motives for self-disclosure, we must keep in mind certain lines that are dangerous to cross. In particular, there are three lines that preachers should be sensitive about not transgressing. With the possible exceptions of occasional family stories, we are wiser to refrain from stepping into these danger zones.

The Frequency Line. Preachers who use autobiography effectively do not cross the line of frequency. Using only one personal story in a sermon requires careful discrimination. More than one story in a single sermon is excessive, save in the most exceptional of circumstances. Incorporating more than one story runs the high risk of shifting attention from the listeners to the preacher. As a result, the stories illustrate the preacher more than they do the point of the sermon. A healthy rule of thumb for preachers: No more than one autobiographical account in any sermon.

A similar rule of thumb applies to multiple sermons. You can cross the frequency line by including personal stories Sunday after Sunday. Even using one personal story in successive messages can be too much, particularly when your tendency is to use stories to highlight your humanity. Recurring stories about struggles, failures, and doubts can become counterproductive. Joe Stowell, President of Moody Bible Institute, warns that preachers can cease to be examples to the flock and become instead their excuse. Repeated exposure to a preacher's negative baggage "may end up excusing the faults of the flock. Hearing them say 'My pastor has this problem as well' without a stimulus to remediate the problem is a bad consequence of transparency."10 How tragic an effect when our personal stories foster excuses instead of illumination.