Does Preaching Still Matter? Question Of Liturgy?

24 snips

Sep 11, 2025

The discussion dives into the critical role of preaching in the church, questioning whether it still holds significance today. The speakers analyze its unique authority and impact on spiritual growth, especially among younger generations. They explore the Holy Spirit's role in guiding worship practices and the importance of liturgical frameworks. The balance between preaching, music, and congregational participation is also scrutinized, highlighting common pitfalls in preaching styles and the need for a cohesive worship experience to enhance biblical literacy.

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INSIGHT

Preaching As Ecclesial Foundation

JT argues preaching is foundational because God creates and shapes his people through the spoken word in the gathered church.
Preaching functions as God's ordained means alongside Scripture, and thus is central to ecclesiology.

INSIGHT

A Narrow Definition Of Preaching

Kyle defines preaching narrowly as pastors proclaiming God's word in corporate worship tied to the Lord's Supper.
He distinguishes preaching from conference talks, seminary lectures, and other Bible teaching contexts.

ADVICE

Use Ordinary Means Of Grace

Recognize the Spirit as the acting agent but attend to ordained, ordinary means like preaching, baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
Participate in those means because they normatively shape and form the church over time.

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss what preaching is and its purpose in the church.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

Does preaching still matter?
What is preaching?
How is preaching different from other forms of teaching in the church?
Should preaching be a part of corporate worship? What are the core concerns/questions/considerations around this?
Why is preaching not more formative in the lives of church people?
Does the Spirit have an ordained means by which God is going to normatively move through his church, or are any means the same?
What is the purpose of liturgy?
What's the difference between a regulative and a normative principle of worship?
How does the regulative principle affect the content of preaching?
Is the sermon the “high point” of a service?
What is the proper length of a sermon?
How much of a service should be devoted to singing?
What would you characterize as bad or ineffective preaching?
Is preaching a spiritual gift?
Is it possible to overemphasize the role of preaching?
What is the role of teaching?

Helpful Definitions:

Preaching: Declaring the mighty acts of God, who He is, and what we are to do in response to those things from God's word in the gathering of God's people in corporate worship.
Regulative: The Bible regulates all that one can do in the corporate worship of a body. If it's not clearly seen in scripture or prohibited, then it can or can’t be done.
The Bible presents a clear pattern of worship, including preaching, baptism, the Lord's supper, and singing, which should be the normative practices of the body of Christ.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Deep Discipleship Program

Our Sister Podcast:

Tiny Theologians

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