I just read Stephen King’s, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. I read the book because I have some major-for-me writing projects on the go. As I began to read King, I immediately noticed how much he said applied to preparing sermons. On page 131 he writes, “Writing is refined thinking.” Typing out sermons gives us the opportunity to continually refine our thinking until we lay the manuscript aside and preach. After spending time last month with three classes of preaching students of all stages of ministry, I was struck again by how many do not type out (or write out) their sermons. Because “writing is refined thinking,” I recommend that you select a couple of key places in your sermon and commit them to the screen/page. As you write those sections out, see if the process doesn’t help you refine your thinking and preaching.
Francis Bacon said, “reading makes a full man, conversation a ready man, and writing an exact man.” I do lots of writing during sermon preparation, but I don’t usually write a manuscript. When I do write, I prefer using pen and ink. It slows me down, giving me more time to think. It allows more creativity; I can physically cross-out, underline, circle, even draw pictures. I even use a fountain pen. If Philip Brooks was correct when he said that “Preaching is truth through personality,” a nice fountain pen can enhance your personal interaction with the ideas, making the writing more enjoyable and creative. The end result, even for this Luddite, is a one page, typed, outline that comes with me to the pulpit.
Great thoughts, Chris. Helpful angle on this subject. Love and believe in the thought of slowing down to gain more time to think. Keep up the good work of faith.
REP
My Sr. Pastor is constantly telling me to write out my sermons. He develops a draft and then edits it 4-5 times before he preaches it on Sunday. Thank you for yet another kick in the pants to be writing out my sermons! Studying Hebrews 2:5-9 today AND WRITING IT OUT!!!
Good to hear from you, Al. Your colleague must be a great man! Keep up the good work of faith. See if the writing part brings more clarity and precision to your preaching.
REP