Preaching in the Gap: Proclaiming a Traditional Message in a Contemporary World
by the Rev. Sam Wood, pastor, Union Church of San Juan, Puerto Rico

It is no secret that since the late 1970's mainline churches have been losing members to churches that offer contemporary worship. One response by mainline denominations to this dilemma was to try to integrate elements of contemporary worship into the regular worship experience. This "half measure" has generally proven the adage that "a compromise is that which satisfies no one." Many long-term members of such congregations felt disenfranchised by the attempts to "lighten up" the service with praise music, drums, guitars, and dance. At the same time, the under-forty crowd couldn't get enough of the contemporary elements. No one was satisfied. The gap between the contemporary and the traditional has inspired many congregations to add separate contemporary worship services.

Although this gap between contemporary and traditional worship is distinct, I believe that the gap can and must be bridged in preaching. Preachers presenting the gospel do not have the luxury of ignoring the cultural imperative of the modern world by clinging to outdated homiletic styles. We must face two facts: (1) Classic homiletic forms that connect with people raised in the church culture are generally alien to those who live and move in contemporary culture. (2) One of the dangers present in adopting freer preaching forms is a sermon that proclaims a theologically anemic gospel.

In my seminary experience, Dr. Gene Lowery convinced me of the importance of story in preaching. We can tap into the same responsiveness with story in preaching that chorus singing does in worship. When a person is open emotionally, deeper communication can take place. It is the content of the gospel that all preachers hope to communicate. "Jesus loves me" is important. Recognizing how the death and resurrection of Christ works for the salvation of humanity is necessary to assist the maturation of people raised outside the church.

Preaching in the gap recognizes that the preacher can't assume that modern worshipers have the same level of biblical literacy as old-timers. Twenty-first century hearers frequently are unable to connect with basic Bible references. The preacher who says "like David facing Goliath" cannot expect all the listeners to know the story and leap to the conclusion that "God is with us in the face of overwhelming odds." Today's preacher must slow down and retell the basic stories of the faith before exploring in sermonic text. All hearers benefit from the preacher who is willing to cover less ground while taking time to "thicken" the biblical underpinnings for the sermon.

Preaching in the gap makes a strong commitment to good exegetical work and sound exposition. There is always the temptation to depend on a good illustration. Illustrations that tug at the heartstrings can be effective — unless the illustration is remembered and the point of the illustration is forgotten.

One of the realities of preaching in the gap is that we preach to more diverse congregations than ever before. We make faulty assumptions about where people are regarding their beliefs and knowledge. One of the ways that I bridge this gap is to offer study groups that meet to consider future preaching texts. As I listen to the conversations in such a group, I learn more about the needs of those who will listen to the sermon.

There is one thing of which I am sure. The human condition has not changed. People still need to be loved. People still need forgiveness. People still need to hear that Christ offers hope. If we take up the task of preaching in the gap, the gospel will to be communicated faithfully to a new generation.

About the writer: The Rev. Sam Wood is a member of the Kansas East Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, a confirmed Midwesterner (born in a Missouri Methodist family), a certified chaplain and a past trainer for lay speaker events in preaching. The Rev. Wood is currently living in Puerto Rico with his wife, the Rev. Amy Jaime-Wood, and pastoring the Union Church of San Juan, a historic, English-language, interdenominational congregation. He also hosts a one-hour weekly talk program, "Christian Living,"dealing with the daily struggles for faithful Christian life.

Posted 6-6-03.