A Message from President Plantinga
Preachers stand in the world with a book in their hand. For us Christians, the Bible is our community book. So, in a way, the preacher's job is only to say in other words what a text says-dressing it up or down, coloring and amplifying it in such a way that when people hear the preached text they hear God's word to them. For example, they might hear a warning that sin is not only an offense against God and neighbor, but also a form of self-abuse. They might hear that we do not belong to ourselves, that we are not our own centers, and that, surprisingly, this is a comfort. They might hear that idolaters want to carry their gods around with them, but that the God of Scripture carries us, and that a central question of religion is therefore "Who is carrying whom?"
When preaching works well, the result is eventful. People feel pierced or assured. They sense that they are somehow joined to Jesus Christ by this religious event, just as they are by partaking of baptism or the Lord's Supper. By the power of the Holy Spirit, preaching naturally binds believers to God by making God audible to them. But a sermon may also take hold of others. A well-designed sermon may make God audible to unbelievers, or to seekers, or to people who are so consciously ambivalent about God that they would hardly know what to call themselves.
The Center for Excellence in Preaching will share its resources with you for exactly one reason: we want your preaching to have power, beauty, and deep simplicity. We want it to make the God of the gospel audible to listeners. Thanks to those who've already contributed resources. God bless you all.
