Preaching has changed. It's still organized. Still structured. But the message outline is now hidden from view. Rather than having acronyms and bullet points, sermons are being anchored on metaphors, movements and stories.
Take Andy Stanley's second talk at Catalyst this year - "Recent Random Thoughts on Leadership." A sign of the times. No three points, a poem, and prayer anymore.
Preaching is now moving from exoskeleton to endoskeleton. The outline is still there, but it's underneath the skin. It's hidden from view.
Ben,
You're right. I'm trying to transition my preaching style and finding it difficult to maintain structure and yet hide the structure/outline. Besides listening to guys like Andy Stanley who do it well, any suggestions on how to do it?
Posted by: Dan | October 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM
it probably takes twice as much sermon prep time... but definitely an art. an art that comes after the science
Posted by: Ben Arment | October 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Great post! Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Chris Chowdhury | October 27, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Andy's book, "Communicating for a Change" is an awesome book that points out of the "outlines" he commonly uses. Even if you don't follow his exact outline, reading the book will cause you to consider freeing yourself up from the common 3-pointer.
Posted by: Pat | October 27, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Sorry, the book is called "Communicating for Change."
Posted by: Pat | October 27, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I think this is true, at times, and certainly offers a fresh approach to Biblical preaching (Jesus style), however, let's not be so bold to say this IS THE WAY to preach today.
Style should never replace substance and some may seem 'old school' in their approach and still have amazing content.
People crave truth.
Posted by: Chilly | October 27, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Dude - seriously a great analogy! Thanks so much for the thought.
For me, it's all about dropping everything into the narrative if the passage. I think most folks have dropped notes, I've found if I can't remember it when I go to speak, it is either information that doesn't need to be there, or it is in the wrong place. If I can't remember it without notes, how on earth will anyone else remember it?
Posted by: Steven | October 27, 2008 at 04:54 PM
i wonder if this is more of a move toward "inductive preaching." or are you getting at something else?
Posted by: matt Morgan | October 27, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Ben - Great observation. And just to support Pat's comment about Andy's book, it is a great resource for anyone who is trying to figure out how to use an "endoskeleton" outline.
Andy has a very specific outline that he uses to create his messages and it's often the topic of at least one breakout at both Drive and Orange. Once you hear about it, you'll be able to see it at work in nearly all his messages as well as several other speakers that are around him.
Sorry for the plug...had to do it. :)
Posted by: Betsy Wright | October 28, 2008 at 08:10 AM
I do remember the Andy Stanley formula: you, me, us, what, tha, (or something like that =)
I think it's the allure of story for a "don't tell me what to do" generation. It's why Jesus told parables. They invade the conscious much more effectively.
Posted by: Ben Arment | October 28, 2008 at 09:35 AM