Favorite type of preacher

[Bro Blue]

Looking forward to the responses!

 

[Izdaari]

I'm not entirely sure about those category names.

But what I like is a Bible scholar with real depth of knowledge, one who can tell me something i don't already know, and who knows the cultural and historical contexts, and can explain not just the what and how, but the reasons why. I like a low-key delivery, like a pleasant and approachable college professor. With some humor, but not all the time. I don't mind an occasional raised voice for emphasis, but please, not too much.

N.T. Wright (the Anglican Bishop of Durham) is pretty close to my ideal:

Historical Resurrection of Christ? NT Wright responds (HD)

 

[raised2walk]

"Sweaty Screamer" Lol! *No thanks*

 

[raised2walk]

I'm not entirely sure about those category names.

But what I like is a Bible scholar with real depth of knowledge, one who can tell me something i don't already know, and who knows the cultural and historical contexts, and can explain not just the what and how, but the reasons why. I like a low-key delivery, like a pleasant and approachable college professor. With some humor, but not all the time. I don't mind an occasional raised voice for emphasis, but please, not too much.

Is there anything you don't already know, Izzy? 

 

[wheatpenny]

Because Quakerism centers around silence, when attending services of other churches I prefer a quiet, soft-spoken preacher and I have to agree with Izdaari that a scholar who knows his stuff is preferable.

 

[Bro Blue]

I changed one of the options to The Scholar. That would be better.

 

[Izdaari]

I'm not entirely sure about those category names.

But what I like is a Bible scholar with real depth of knowledge, one who can tell me something i don't already know, and who knows the cultural and historical contexts, and can explain not just the what and how, but the reasons why. I like a low-key delivery, like a pleasant and approachable college professor. With some humor, but not all the time. I don't mind an occasional raised voice for emphasis, but please, not too much.

Is there anything you don't already know, Izzy? 

Oh, there's vast amounts I don't know. But I know more than any preacher type other than The Scholar is likely to give in a sermon.

And with that change in the poll, that's what I'd change my vote to if I could, from Soft Spoken to The Scholar.

 

[Raine]

      <--- Cool, I didn't know we had a Sammy Allen smiley!


Back to the question, I'd say the scholar. I prefer expository preaching, which seems to go hand in hand with a preacher who is more inclined to a scholarly type of presentation. I enjoy learning about the history and theological concepts that go with scripture, and I would rather learn something that relates directly to the Bible than to hear someone's opinion on a social issue of the day (not saying all topical or anecdotal preaching is this, but far too much of it is).

 

[Haagen-Dazs]

I like my preacher well fed!

 

[Violet]

I'm quite a fan of the pastor's preaching at my current church.  Mostly expository, though he'll do a topical one on occasion if need be. He references EVERY claim he makes back to scripture, and he confesses his own sins from the pulpit all the time... he'll let us know he's struggled with pride, or with a bad attitude toward certain things, or what-have-you. He's just a humble guy, doing what God's called him to do. I like him a lot.  ;D

I voted "The Scholar" because I like my pastors to know their Bible well and be able to talk about historical context and the like. My pastor does that too.

 

[brianb]

How about the Guy Smiley?
He can't help but talk loudly.

 

[TVC]

I also lean toward the scholar.  While I don't mind a preacher that raises his voice once in a while for emphasis, I do not want to see the spit fly.

 

[Just John]

I kind of like all of those things....except the sweating screamer. Nope, not from a preacher.

 

[T-Bone]

The kind that stay true to the biblical text...honest about his short comings. And a heart for God.

 

[Top]

One who isn't "called". 8)

 

[Bro Blue]

Looks like I may be in the minority here. I love the rip snorting, sweat slingers myself. But I'm with you guys on content. I've heard screamers that looked like they were just putting on a show, and I've seen ones who have a lot of good stuff coming out with all that spit.

 

[Sherryh]

you can hear my pastor at www.beaconbaptistchurch.org

 

[ALAYMAN]

The Holy Spirit filled one that has unction.

 

[Ransom]

I don't particularly care if a preacher is a scholar or not, as long as he is a man of good moral character and can exposit the text accurately and faithfully, and deliver a sermon plainly and straightforwardly, with a minimum of dramatics and/or histrionics.

I certainly appreciate good scholarship, but I'd rather not hear a sermon that sounds more like the preacher showing off his tools, instead of what he was supposed to use them for.

 

[ALAYMAN]

I certainly appreciate good scholarship, but I'd rather not hear a sermon that sounds more like the preacher showing off his tools, instead of what he was supposed to use them for.

In Tim Keller's book "Christ Centered Preaching" (one of the gold standards on expository preaching) he concedes he begun his preaching ministry doing the very thing you describe above.