Necessity of Preaching (Part 1)

Humbert of Romans said, “In this connection we must observe that, though preaching is necessary for the whole of creation, it is particularly useful to men”.  In genuine, postmodern Christian faith, Spiritual formation through preaching will be held up as a necessary part of any authentic and healthy church of Jesus Christ. David Buttrick stated, “Speaking is our primary task.” Douglas John Hall said, “Ministers are recalled to the teaching office.” John Stott laid out five theological arguments that “leave us without excuse” in being convinced “of the indispensable necessity” of preaching for today. These five arguments come from the five biblical doctrines of God, Scripture, the Church, the pastorate, and the nature of preaching. The apostles gave their “attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4 NIV) and Paul instructed Timothy to devote himself “to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13 NIV). Yet, somehow, in many circles, preaching has come to be considered optional.

At our church, we are attempting to communicate and demonstrate the necessity of preaching. From the beginning, there have been people who would like to drop the weekly, verbal proclamation from the program. But our leadership is convinced of the necessity of preaching for the health and legitimacy of our fellowship. We plan a menu of teaching for the coming year. We balance Old and New Testament, narrative and prophecy, epistle, topics, and issues. We incorporate the seasons of the Church, the nation, and the year. We honor local and global events. However, we never stop listening to the text of God’s Word systematically read and taught in context.

Biblical preaching is an essential means of shaping Christian spiritual formation. The public reading and interpreting and practical application of God’s recorded revelation exposes his people to the very pneuma (breath) of the living God. Nothing else can claim this; not singing, praying, working, serving, nor giving. These things are all the responses to his Spirit breathing life into his people. It is through his Word exposed to his people that they are convicted, converted, and commanded. Preaching may look and sound different in this postmodern age. But it will remain necessary for the life of the Church as it has done in every age of God’s salvation history.