Podcast Episode #552
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Preachers sometimes say some strange things from the pulpit. Today, we discuss some of the things that get said that can cause problems for a preacher.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- One of the most common mistakes preachers often make is attributing a quote to someone who didn’t actually say it.
- If you’re going to use stats in a sermon, research and cite the original source.
- When using a church member as a sermon illustration, always get their permission first.
- Number one rule for guest preachers: honor your time slot. Don’t go over.
The six mistakes we discuss are:
- Quoting something someone did not say.
- Saying “statistics show”
- Using someone else’s illustration as your own
- Using a point in a sermon to fight verbally with a church member
- Mispronouncing words in the Bible
- Not honoring a church host’s request when you are a guest preacher
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
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Not honoring a church host’s request when you are a guest preacher is important, even if there are some unspoken requests. It might be that you will have a large number of youth or college students in the crowd which will likely require a completely different sermon than a room full of retirees. Speaking in high school or college chapel comes to mind. If you deliver a sermon that is directed towards the retirees, the younger people will wonder if you even know how to speak to them, wonder why their leaders can’t get someone who can speak to them, and may even criticize you on social media during your sermon. The only reason my generation did not do the latter was because social media really did not exist at that time.
I recently heard a “big-name” speaker use an illustration as a personal story that came from a fairly common resource that has made the rounds for years. Using something in that way immediately calls into question anything else that is said.
Some other pet-peeves of mine that I have heard from the pulpit:
-The 50% divorce rate myth. It’s not true. Look up the research.
-Francis of Assisi said “Preach the gospel always, use words if necessary.” – First, it’s not that great of an idea. Second, he most likely never said it.
-Any use of “Children’s Letters to God.” I’m sure some are genuine, but many sound like an adult made them up, and they are unverifiable.
-The Mayor/Judge Laguardia “Grace” illustration. If you don’t know it, it’s easy to find, but has never been verified.
I always check a story/illustration to see if I can find a verifiable source. If a story is a good story that illustrates a point well, but I don’t know for sure if it’s true, I will say something like: “Here’s a story to illustrate this point – in the same way that Jesus used parables to help people understand what he was saying.” This is how an “unverifiable” story can still be used in a helpful way.
Also, you don’t have to give great details on where you found something, as long as you communicate an idea wasn’t originally yours: “One commentary I read, said that….”
If it’s and idea from a well known pastor, I’ll make that connection: “Tim Keller communicates this idea this way….”
There was a non-profit ministry I used to work with that used some statistics to highlight needs in their ministry field. I could never verify a source for those statistics, so I had us stop using them (there were plenty of other ways to highlight the needs).
Thank you and I agree with you on all points. Also, that 50 percent divorce rate needs re-examined as you suggested. Here is a good article on this issue. Divorce rates are declining, and as we already knew, having already been divorced does indeed dramatically increase the chances of divorcing again.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/heart-the-matter/201704/do-half-all-marriages-really-end-in-divorce
Spot on with all 6 points! Lack of pulpit etiquette has greatly reduced the effectiveness of effective preaching of the Gospel!
Thank you, brothers. I would go further than you on one point. Deliberately telling another’s story as if it were one’s own is not a “mistake” but a lie, which is a grave and disqualifying sin. Remember Ananias and Sapphira. Preachers who lie must resign or be fired effectively immediately. Our integrity must be absolute. Listen: we tell people that 2000 years ago a Man was born of a virgin, walked on water, died for sinners and rose from the dead. If we prove to be liars, why should we expect people to believe us when we tell them the great truths of Jesus Christ?
I think the main point is to attribute all work appropriately and act like a professional. I went to Liberty University for Seminary education and the professors constantly hammered this.