Preaching Without Notes

Interesting discussion.

One thing that seems to be important, at least in my brain, is the cultural attitude of the congregation in which you are participating. If the congregation is dead set against notes, then preaching with them will be completely lost. If you are in a congregation that expects the minister to use notes, then not, will lead them to think you have lost what few mental faculties you might have had heretofore.

I can't say that there is a right way or wrong way about it. One must know one's audience, one's mind, and hopefully the direction of the spirit of God.

I don't use notes, it wouldn't go over well with my congregation. But I do spend several hours in study and preparation before getting to services. In someways not using notes makes the sermon delivery more difficult, sometimes not. Certainly it forces the non-note minister who is serious about it to study harder, IMO. Then again maybe not. Sometimes it works out well, sometimes someone will mention something before services that completely changes the direction of where I had thought I was led to go.

The comments above apply equally well to Primitive Baptists and other Baptist flavors in this part of the world, and even to some Methodist ministers I am friendly with.

 

You know, I got to thinking.... an interim pastor or a new pastor has quite a 'vault' of sermons to draw from and that may be why notes are not necessary for an older and much experienced man.

Diane

 

Jeff, good to hear from you again. Hope all is well.

You make a very good point. If I were going to preach at a congregation and I knew they didn't think preachers should wear red suits, I sure wouldn't show up in one just to irritate them. I think there might be a slight difference in preaching without notes in a congregation that expects a preacher to use notes - if it is a preacher's manner of preaching and he doesn't call attention to it (some do call attention to it as a badge of honor ), they probably will never know the difference. I know someone who preaches without notes, and, unless it's just people who are personally acquainted with him and know he doesn't use them, the congregation never thinks about it one way or the other, and never knows the difference.

Diane, I think you're on track with that assessment. Perhaps, though, most "non-note" preachers do not have any sermons stored in any kind of hard-copy way (as would some others in some filing system). But, for example, if I were to get up before a congregation tonight with no sermon "prepared", I would still have the background over 25 years of Bible study, plus what was fresh in my mind from this week. Surely this is some type of an "advantage" over the new preacher. But most every preacher would probably also echo that it is never "easy" to stand, if one regards the exteme weightiness of the occasion.

 

The secret of preaching with notes, is to not convince the audience you have notes. Some preachers almost make their notes a showpiece, rather than using them as a help. I have been complimented for preaching "without notes" when I have never preached without notes. Also, I have never preached the same sermon twice. Second hand goods may good in some shops, but was never considered adequate for me. I always prepare a message for a specific meeting. Age and experience may give confidence in the pulpit, but does not improve the arsenal. Stale ammunition is both hazardous and unreliable.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I am thankful that my pastor, who had 15 seminary professors and 100+ seminary students among the congregation, did not do that. His messages were "top shelf" and this young teen rushed home and spent the afternoon in the encyclopedia to seek the context of his references and illustrations.

At the same time, of course, he made salvation clear and the message true so that at 9 I trusted Christ. THAT kind of preaching was the best of both worlds. [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]Take a look at the complexity of Jesus' sermons and compare.