Why Johnny Can’t Preach

Dr. T. David Gordon begins his book, Why Johnny Can’t Preach, by asserting: “I would guess that of the sermons I’ve heard in the last twenty-five years, 15 percent had a discernible point . . . . Of those 15 percent, however, less than 10 percent demonstrably based the point on the text read.”

Let’s face it; we have all heard poor sermons. And if we are brutally honest, most of us will admit to delivering a poor sermon or two. But is the state of preaching really that bad?

Dr. Gordon offers further anecdotal evidence: “At a faculty meeting at Gordon-Conwell once, someone reported that a study had disclosed that one-half of ordained ministers leave the profession before retiring. Most of the faculty gasped at this, but my good colleague Doug Stuart remarked: ‘I wish the number were higher; only about one in five can preach.’”

You and I both know that one of the greatest fallacies propagated regarding pastoral ministry is that pastors only work one day a week. I also know the difficulty of preparing two or three sermons a week while taking care of the administrative needs, counseling sessions, visitation, vision casting, and about a thousand other things a pastor does in a week’s time.

In a world and church culture that places demands on a pastor more akin to those of a CEO than a shepherd, teacher, or spiritual guide, how can we foster a strong preaching ministry in our local churches? Is a strong preaching ministry that important to the formative health of a local congregation?

We will investigate these questions and others over the next few weeks. As we do, we hope to offer some practical guidelines to help you find/develop/refine your voice for the sake of your calling.

But what do you think; can Johnny preach?

2 Responses to “Why Johnny Can’t Preach”

1. Kris says:

   July 14, 2011 at 10:35 am

   I think I may have despised this book more than any other I’ve ever read. The entire premise is that modern preachers are bad because we allow our preaching to be affected by our culture.

   If 4 out of 5 preachers are bad it isn’t because they are plugged into modern media, it’s because they are bad at speaking. Johnny can’t preach because he was educated by people who are no longer able to preach an effective Biblical message to a contemporary culture. Following Gordon’s model we will preach a sound, Biblical message which no one will bother listening to because we can’t hold their attention.

   That being said, I’m looking forward to this series.
2. Dennis Moles says:

   July 14, 2011 at 10:52 am

   Don’t hold back Kris. That was awesome! I hear you on this one because too many times our own ideas get in the way of clear communication. The points you bring up are valid and we will discuss them as time goes on. But the real question I have at this point is whether or not his assertions are right or at least rightish. Do all but 1.5% of all sermons preached fall into the categories of indiscernible and unconnected from the text read? And even if it is not that high is preaching in evangelical US Churches as strong as it needs to be or should be?