Chris Price on Preaching: Being a Prophet to Culture, Adopting the Right Kind of Relevancy & Moving Beyond Information Transfer to Encounter
Sep 4, 2023
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Pastor, preacher, and author Chris Price discusses the art of preaching and offers valuable insights from his years of experience in Vancouver. Topics include the toll of preaching, staying relevant in a post-Christian culture, micro apologetics, establishing a Christian sexual ethic, and the vulnerability of preaching in a post-Christian society. Chris shares his journey to faith and encourages listeners to communicate the Gospel effectively.
Preaching in a post-Christian culture requires incorporating micro apologetics into sermons by addressing skeptical questions and cultural issues.
Preaching should prioritize the right kind of relevancy by focusing on the constants of human experience and how the gospel intersects with these realities.
Preaching should aim to create a catalytic encounter with the presence of God by lifting up Jesus and allowing space for people to respond in encounter, prayer, or reflection.
One of the challenges for emerging preachers is structuring a sermon effectively by eliminating unnecessary details and prioritizing the main message.
Deep dives
Building Micro Apologetics into Your Sermons
Preaching in a post-Christian culture requires incorporating micro apologetics into sermons. This means addressing the skeptical questions and cultural issues shared by believers and non-believers. It involves looking for moments to speak directly to skeptics and non-believers, and acknowledging the reality of their questions. By focusing on the perennial longings and fears of the human heart, and speaking the truth of Scripture into those realities, a sermon can invite an encounter with the risen Christ and create a dialogue between the hearer and the Lord. The goal is to go beyond information transfer to catalyze a transformative encounter with Jesus.
Worrying Less About Relevance
Preaching should prioritize the right kind of relevancy rather than obsessing over staying up to date with trends and cultural shifts. While it's important to understand the culture and address relevant issues, chasing after relevancy can become a never-ending game. Instead, focus on the constants of human experience such as love, loss, grief, and anger, and how the gospel intersects with these realities. By speaking to the timeless longings of the human heart, preaching remains relevant in a meaningful and impactful way.
Catalytic Encounter Rather Than Information Transfer
Preaching should aim to create a catalytic encounter with the presence of God, rather than merely transferring information. This requires lifting up Jesus and proclaiming what He has done, and allowing space for people to respond in encounter, prayer, or reflection. The goal is to go beyond imparting knowledge to facilitating an encounter with the risen Christ, where people can personally engage with Jesus, experience His love, and respond in worship. This approach values both the proclamation of the gospel and the personal experience of encountering Jesus.
Structure Matters
One of the challenges for emerging preachers is structuring a sermon effectively. It can be tempting to overexplain or introduce ideas that don't leave enough time for proper development and understanding. Understanding the importance of structure and delivering a clear, engaging message requires discipline and focus. It involves eliminating unnecessary details, cutting out distractions, and prioritizing the main message of the sermon. Effective structuring allows for better comprehension, engagement, and application of the preached word.
Preaching for Faithfulness, Not Self-Salvation
Preaching should not be driven by a need for validation, affirmation, or self-salvation. Instead, the focus should be on faithfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the hearers. Seeking validation through preaching can be crushing and unsustainable. By relying on the affirmation of God and preaching to proclaim the gospel truth, there is freedom from the need for personal approval. The goal is to faithfully deliver the message, trusting in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
The Power of Mini-Apologetics in Preaching
In the podcast episode, the speaker discusses the value of mini-apologetics in preaching. They emphasize the importance of addressing objections and preconceived ideas in order to engage a wider audience. An example given is the concept of repentance, which is often misunderstood. The speaker explains that repentance is not just a religious word, but a change of thinking that leads to a change of living. They highlight the significance of establishing common ground and inviting listeners to see the beauty and importance of repentance in personal growth.
Preaching Good News Trumps Good Advice
Another main point discussed in the podcast is the idea that preaching good news is more impactful than giving good advice. The speaker explains that good advice appeals to the will, while good news invites worship, which then influences the will. They encourage preachers to prioritize proclaiming the good news of what God has done through Jesus, rather than focusing solely on practical advice. By highlighting the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and the transformative nature of the gospel, preachers can confidently deliver messages that draw people closer to Jesus and encourage them to align their desires with His.
One of the most requested topics for the podcast has been preaching. Here it finally is… a long-awaited conversation on preaching featuring a friend of the podcast – pastor, preacher, and author Chris Price. After delving into Chris' captivating journey to faith, Jason and Chris devote the majority of their discussion to the art of preaching. Specifically, they focus on five insights Chris has gleaned from his years of preaching to the people of Vancouver. Whether preaching is your weekly duty or not, we hope this conversation can offer guidance on what to bear in mind when communicating the Gospel and the truth of Scripture.
Bio | Chris has been a pastor for over 15 years and currently serves as a pastor at The Way Church in Vancouver, Canada. He is the author of 'Radical Hope: Resurrection Hope in a Hurting World' and 'Suffering With God', ‘A Response to Questions on Sexuality’, and co-author of ‘The Whole Church: Women, Leadership, the Church, and Why It All Matters’. He is married to Diandra and has two kids, Kaden, and Mila.
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