7 Uncommon Quotes on Preaching

 Here are seven quotes that help me think about preaching as a pastor. Most of them are uncommon (two are from novels), but they help me and may help you.

"It's not me, really," she replied., smiling wide. "It's a feast I just showed up to. I showed up to serve. I didn't make the feast." (245)

Jack Zulu and the Girl with the Golden Wings

S.D. Smith and J.C. Smith

I love this one from a children's novel because it reminds me that I'm serving the people and the text. I didn't make either one.


Whatever else you count yourself in the ministry, never lose this fundamental idea of yourself as a messenger. (32)

It is good to be a Herschel who describes the sun; but it is better to be a Prometheus who brings the sun's fire to the earth. (35)

"The true way to get ride of the boniness of your sermon is not by leaving out the skeleton, but by clothing it with flesh. (134)

The Joy of Preaching

Phillips Brooks

Chauntecleer's crowing had become both sunlight and certitude for his animals; it made for them the day they never saw. (92)

The Book of the Dun Cow

Walter Wangerin, Jr.

This is from another novel. In this section, the world has gone dark because of the evil that has settled on the land. The rooster leads the barnyard with his voice. That is what the word should do in the church. 


Today, pulpit excellence requires that you speak as you would naturally talk were you fully convinced that God had charged you to deliver a life-changing, eternity-impacting message. (329)

Christ-Centered Preaching

Bryan Chapell


The good man was talking about fire as if he were sitting on an iceberg. (88)

Preaching and Preachers

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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About Me

I'm a husband and father. Pastor of Manchester Baptist Church in Manchester, IL. I graduated from Bryan College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I grew up in Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, and Georgia. I write about my personal and professional interests here on my website. I'm a former personal trainer and have stayed interested in fitness. You'll see a mix of things I'm interested in. Topics might include fitness, gardening, coffee, ice cream, church leadership, theology, tech, reviews, etc. This website is my social media. I deleted all of my accounts except for LinkedIn. That is why you won't find me in any of those places. * This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. You can email me at joe[...
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