I recently heard someone referred to as the World’s Greatest Preacher. As crass as this may sound that is as relative as pronouncing a flavor of ice cream or a particular brand of pizza as the world’s greatest. Different people like different foods. I chose food for the analogy because preaching really is a matter of taste – mental taste. Preaching is a very stylized form of communication laden with theological and cultural biases. A few years ago I preached to a large group of mostly Caucasians. It was well received; therefore, a few weeks later when I was invited to speak to a large group of African-Americans, I decided to use the same sermon. It was an awesome mistake. I began looking for the backdoor as I came to realize very few were listening to me. If I ever had their attention I certainly had not kept it; thus the importance of the blessing of Pentecost and the gift of tongues.
The gift of tongues can be speaking in a foreign language, but most likely it happens more often than we think when we preach to a group filled with children, teens, young adults and seniors. Each has a different need and each is listening for something meaningful and relevant to them. One of the best compliments a preacher can have is when a small child meets you after church and says, “That was really good.” You can take that one to the bank. Older people will tell you it was good because they don’t know what else to say and be polite.
The most challenging command Jesus ever gave comes at the end of Matthew. It is the Gospel commission. It needs not one preacher but a host because there isn’t one world’s greatest preacher.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 16, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org