Choosing to Preach Discussion
#24 - "Over the Top" Preaching
Posted by Kent Anderson on August 26, 2006 19:24
Preachers ought to be passionate. Emotion has a legitimate place in our preaching, but can we take it too far? What are the signs that our passion has gone "over the top"? When does emotion morph into cheap manipulation?
(from page 214)
Replies
re: #24 - "Over the Top" Preaching
Posted by Tom Reynolds on Oct. 08, 2007 at 02:05
Emotion, like all things, should be used in moderation. How much emotion to use will depend on the audience and situation. We are best if we try and match the emotional expectations of our audience. Some cultures are much more boisterous and emotional than others. Some denominations and churches expect more traditional, staid styles of preaching than others, which will expect more emotion and excitement. We must beware of manipulating people through emotion but I do not think this will happen through the use of emotion on the preacher’s part. An overly emotive preacher may alienate their audience but I suspect that people are more likely to close up than be manipulated. Some preachers manipulate people’s deep desire for healing for themselves or a loved one but their sin is not over-the-top emotionalism but proclaiming a false message with emotional means. Let us preach the true word of God with true emotion suitable to the message.
re: #24 - "Over the Top" Preaching
Posted by Thomas Calamunce on Sep. 14, 2007 at 17:23
Part of the problem of over the top preaching is trying to define when preaching actually does go over the top and when it is just strong conviction or a person’s opinion. I think that a lot of the time preaching is only perceived as over the top by the people who are listening. Why do they perceive it as over the top? I think that a lot of the time the perception is only because the person sitting in the audience does not agree with the speaker or is convicted of their own faults and are uncomfortable; therefore instead of reacting to the message, they try to criticize the method of delivery. Should preachers be wary of their method of delivery? Yes. But the problem with listening to every person who thinks you are over the top is the fact that there can be many different reasons for them to accuse you of this, with only one being that you are in fact preaching “over the top.”
re: #24 - "Over the Top" Preaching
Posted by Tim Durksen on Mar. 06, 2007 at 15:56
I have seen emotion used so well, and so poorly. There are times when a preacher is seen crying on stage, or starting to yell, but you never catch that this is his heart outside of preaching. I agree with what Dave said about being the same from the pulpit and your regular life. But the biggest problem i have with wild mood swings is before a time of prayer or before there is an alter call. It just seems like that "perfect" timing to get emotional, and although it could be his or her heart, it just usually seems more minipulative then not.
re: #24 - "Over the Top" Preaching
Posted by dave ellis on Feb. 20, 2007 at 13:30
I think when your emotions on stage are very different from when poople interact with you when in person, then people tend to think that you are"putting in on" when on the stage. Authentic is the key word, if you are passionate and emotional in person, then people will be able to flow with you when you speak, but if you are quite and calm in person, and then you go off on stage, with the loud voice and pushy approach, then people I think would be turned off. Its also haveing the rigth emotion for the right things, I would only want to get emotional about those things that reflect the heart of God. Showing emotion for the lost, the rejected, the sick and the poor, those are things that we can Model the Godly emotions we feel. If it gets to be too much, people get uncomfortable, and we need to keep it together, our emotions out of control will distract people from the message that god has Given us. Could you pass a tissue >>>Later