Continous Discipleship - Preaching the Word

Prayer: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
                                                            Psalm 19:14

The preached Word or sermon
    is to be based upon the written Word.  

It is a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ is present to the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience.  

Preaching requires diligence and discernment in
  • the study of Scripture,
  • the discipline of daily prayer,
  • cultivated sensitivity to events and issues affecting the lives of the people,
  • and a consistent and personal obedience to Jesus Christ.  
The sermon should present the gospel with simplicity and clarity, in language which can be understood by the people.  

For reasons of order the preaching of the Word shall ordinarily be done by a minister of Word and Sacrament.  A minister of Word and Sacrament or other person authorized by presbytery may be invited by the pastor with the concurrence of the session or, when there is no pastor, by the session.  A person may be sent to preach by the presbytery.                                                    Book of Order  W-2.2007

The Book of Order lists four parts of sermon preparation.
 
1) Study of Scripture. Thomas Long states in his book The Witness of Preaching, “At first glance it would appear that the study of the biblical text ought always to be the starting place for a biblical sermon, and most of the time this is so. Preachers usually begin developing sermons by first going to biblical texts. When we do this, we do not yet know what the sermon will be “about.”  . . .  When the sermon originates outside the text, we know from the beginning what the sermon will be about, but if it is truly to be a biblical sermon, we must not decide in advance what the sermon will say.  . . 
 
2) Daily Prayer. Prayers for understanding of the Word and prayers for understanding of the intersection of the Word and congregation along with prayers for words of witness are constants for preachers.

3) Issues Affecting People. Study of scripture in also integrated with ministry with the people. “Responsible biblical preaching does not come easily. It requires time, study, and hard work. The time required for the study of Scripture is not spent apart form ministry; it is not even done in preparation for ministry. It is ministry, and as such it should be cherished and protected.”

4) Obedience to Jesus Christ. The preacher’s actions do make a difference. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with the expression "Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words."

Prayer: May preachers and listeners be open to being transformed by the Word spoken and proclaimed. Amen.