Some Criteria for Evaluating Preaching
How are we to evaluate preachers and preaching? is it needed?
Evaluating sermons is a touchy subject and most evaluations come in this statement ” I get so much from his sermons/ I get nothing from his sermons.” These statements are not necessarily evil, but they’re very unclear and focused on the wrong issue.
When a person makes that statement I still have no idea what he means. He could mean that the sermon was not entertaining, or he could mean that there was no pointed application. In-fact, if our goal is to “get something” maybe we should go to wal-mart, I’m sure they’ll have it. Let’s grade pastors on their ability to exposet and communicate scripture, not what we “get” out of it.
YES! real thoughtful sermon evaluation is needed. There are those who want to “distort the gospel of Christ” Gal 1: 6; the most precious thing we have! Why would we be anything but outraged when a gospel is preached that is not the gospel of Christ, because it’s not even a gospel….. It’s not good news. And, we must not evaluate based on sincerity because even pastors can be sincerely wrong! Just because your pastor is a “good ole boy” or a composed orator who does everything “right,” it’s our responsibility to test the pastor’s words against scripture. Don’t be fooled.
Here’s some helpful pointers in evaluating sermons and pastor; this is from monergism.org
* Authoritative – this “text” is binding upon believers and not to be demeaned.
* Logical – the train of thought is followed easily and well structured.
* He preaches BOTH the indicatives and the imperatives. The NT uses indicative statements when discussing the certainties of what God has done, is doing or will do for us. Imperative statements (on the other hand) are commands declaring from God what we should do. What God commands us to do (the imperative) as Christians is always based upon what He has done, is doing or will do for us in Christ (the indicatives). For example, the first three chapters of Ephesians are indicatives, declaring the foundational grace we have in Christ, while the following chapters, which say “therefore …” (live this way), are imperatives. Selecting a preacher who understands this should be a number one priority because this is the clearest indicator of whether he is preaching a full-orbed gospel, avoiding both legalism and antinomianism. What God has done for us in regeneration & justification results in preaching faith and obedience, because it is God working in us that makes this a reality.
* Exegetical accuracy (including Christocentricity). In his sermons, does he demonstrate the significance of every text in the light of Christ and his cross? Does he demonstrate the centrality of Christ in both Testaments and in all different genres of the Holy Scriptures?
* Doctrinal substance: Fear of man plays no role in how preaches the text. If a Text speaks of an unpopular doctrine, he does not avoid it simply in order to maintain peace. It is the preacher’s job to communicate the fullness of God’s message.
* In the pulpit doesn’t spend a lot of time talking about self – for the most part, leaves “me” of the message – He points to Jesus Christ. Although an occasional testimony to the power of God’s grace in his life, tasteful confession of personal struggles, etc., if it does not detract from the message of the gospel, may be appropriate.
* Pointed application – What is the message about, and what is the listener to learn and remember for the day/weeks ahead?
To be honest, I think most pastors rise and fall on on their oratory skills instead of their exegetical accuracy.
Justin,
You said, “I think most pastors rise and fall on on their oratory skills and their ability to keep you entertained, instead of their exegetical accuracy.” Unfortunately, I think this statement is correct. This shows us what most church members value, and Scripture falls pretty far down on that list. Comfort, entertainment, self-esteem, and other things are usually at the top of the list, which explains the criteria by which most people judge sermons and preachers.
The Bible clearly gives at least two criteria for what constitutes a local church: the right preaching of the Gospel and the right administration of the sacraments. If a preacher isn’t preaching Scripture and communicating the Gospel each Sunday, then he isn’t preaching at all. He is no longer a pastor in a church, he is a motivational speaker at a community center, which is what most churches have become.
We should be infuriated whenever we listen to a sermon that does not proclaim the Gospel. We should be outraged to sit in a church building and hear a few verses read, which are followed by twenty-five minutes of illustrations and jokes. Furthermore, there can be no proper application without proper exegesis first. Why have we become so complacent regarding the word of God and preaching? If listening to Joel Osteen doesn’t cause you anger or sorrow, then I question whether or not you are a Christian. The preacher’s job is to teach God’s word, not entertain, not draw a crowd, not even to encourage. If he preaches the Gospel, then the Gospel will both convict and encourage. However, that burden is not on the preacher. The only burden on the preacher is to accurately teach the Scriptures. In the words of Paul, ” I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified..” (1 Cor. 2:1-2)
Therefore, amen to evaluating sermons and preachers. We just need to make sure we are doing it by the proper criteria, which this article seems to be fairly accurate regarding.
what a testimony to the gospel. the gospel of Christ is the only thing in this world we can be sure of… why not be jealous of it…why not die for it…. if there’s one thing to be picky about.. if there’s one thing to know, if there’s one thing to study, it’s the gospel of Christ.
It’s difficult for me to understand people’s willful oversight regarding the teaching of the gospel…… we some how relax our standards in the light of sincerity or familiarity…..