How do you determine if someone is preaching or teaching? What makes the difference? Have you ever thought someone was more of a teacher than a preacher, and why? What would have led you to feel it was preaching instead? Years ago, a pastor friend of mine asserted, “All good preaching contains an element of teaching, and all good teaching partakes of the spirit of preaching.” In a Crossway article about preaching, Allistair Begg and Sinclair Ferguson quote Westminster Seminary professor John Murray as indicating this difference between preaching and a lecture: “Preaching is a personal, passionate plea.” His assertion may help us get to the root of the issue, but I believe there is more. So, why do people think some are teaching rather than preaching, and why is that a problem?
Teaching and Pastoral Ministry – Not all preachers are pastors, but for this part of the conversation, let’s think about pastors. Ephesians 4:11-13 lists the office of pastor-teacher and asserts the work is to equip believers toward maturity in Christ. Pastors are doing what the Bible calls us to do when we teach. Paul tells Timothy to preach and to teach, and the apostolic pattern in Acts includes both preaching and teaching. The Old Testament prophets and John the Baptist focused on preaching (proclaiming), but they also gave instruction to their hearers on occasion. Jesus taught extensively about the Kingdom and life as Kingdom people, but He also proclaimed (preached), “The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15 NIV). Those who are unhappy that a pastor teaches fail to understand the Biblical pattern and mandate and ought to appreciate the opportunity to get quality Biblical instruction. In all fairness however, I have thought a person was more teacher than preacher and have, at times, wanted preaching more than teaching – something that moved me emotionally, spiritually, and practically in addition to providing good Biblical information. So, let’s explore some possibilities.
Assumptions About Preaching – Occasionally, I make homemade chili, and what makes good chili is more involved than this, but the primary difference between goulash without macaroni and chili is chili powder. If you were to ask, “What one or two ingredients make it preaching instead of teaching,” some of the response would come from assumptions about preaching. First, there is an assumption about the purpose of a church service and the nature of preaching in that setting. I believe some are of the earnest conviction that a basic, evangelistic message to present the Gospel and call for salvation is the only thing that qualifies as preaching. Preaching ought to point to Jesus, but think about the situation where people are not yet bringing the lost to church. Plus, Ephesians 4 calls us to develop Christians by equipping them. Now, this wrong assumption about preaching is convenient for saved church attenders because it means they do not need to engage with the message. Second, there may be a resistance to teaching when people see “getting saved” as the sum total of Christian life rather than understanding the call to discipleship and the need for teaching that leads us to become more Christlike. If there is a resistance to receiving instruction in the Word, then a person needs to figure out why. Third, it may be people assume week-to-week preaching ought to jump from topic to topic and passage to passage, leading them to believe sermon series – particularly Bible book series – are teaching rather than preaching. There is a difference between teaching a book of the Bible and preaching it, but assumptions may lead people to feel a preacher is teaching instead of preaching. Fourth, people make assumptions about the use of notes, the use of humor or personal stories, the style of delivery, and the amount of Biblical information used to support the sermon’s points. Fifth, people may make assumptions about what constitutes preaching because of a lack of exposure to certain types of preaching. For those accustomed to topical or devotional preaching, sermons that are expository, textual, or thematic may seem more like teaching.
A Few More Observations About What Might Make the Difference – Here are some additional elements that might make the difference between preaching and teaching for people.
When the preacher provides a great understanding of the history and meaning of the passage but no actionable items, it may feel as if the sermon is more teaching than preaching.
When the preacher mentions the biblical principles but fails to, as we might say, “put street clothes” on the principles, it might feel more like a lesson than a sermon.
When the spirit of the preaching is too distanced (more head than heart) and it seems not to stir the preacher’s own passion, it might seem more like teaching than preaching. The Bible tells us to love God with our mind, but I suspect people are looking for heart – albeit an informed heart – in the preaching.
When the sermon informs without an effort to persuade or provide a plea for action, people may feel it is teaching more than preaching.
When the hearer’s heart is not right, it might seem more like teaching that preaching. A listener with a hard heart, a cold spirit, or an un-teachable mindset is unlikely to be moved by the preaching, regardless of its quality or style.
The ministry of God’s Word ought to include preaching and teaching since hearers need accurate biblical instruction and a call to action based on that information. The goal of both forms of communication is an encounter with God in His Word that produces Christ-like followers of Jesus, and there may be considerable overlap between preaching and teaching in the oral ministry of the Scriptures. Listener, have the grace and flexibility to let your expectations be stretched. Preacher / teacher, be sound in your content and passionate in your plea.