I was reading through Volume 1 of Charles Spurgeon’s Autobiography. He stunned me with a practice he developed early in his ministry at New Park Street in London when he was just 19 years old. Here is the quote:
Ever since I have been in London, in order to get into the habit of speaking extemporaneously, I have never studied or prepared anything for the Monday evening prayer-meeting. I have all along selected that occasion as the opportunity for off-hand exhortation; but I do not on such occasions select difficult expository topics, or abstruse themes, but restrict myself to simple, homely talk about the elements of our faith. When standing up, on such occasions, my mind makes a review, and enquires, “What subject has already occupied my thoughts during the day? What have I met with in my reading during the past week? What is most laid upon my heart at this hour? What is suggested by the hymns or the prayers?” … I do not see why a man cannot speak extemporaneously upon a subject which he fully understands. … The thought of a man who finds himself upon his legs, dilating upon a theme with which he is familiar, may be very far from his first thought; it may be the cream of his meditations warmed by the glow of his heart. Having studied the subject well before, though not at that moment, may deliver himself most powerfully; whereas another man, sitting down to write, may only be penning his first ideas, which may be vague and vapid.” (pp. 267-268)
What stunned me? First, that he admitted to intentionally speaking extemporaneously before his people. There have been times when I have had to speak in this fashion, especially on Sunday nights, when the week has been wrought with various issues and even tragedies. But for Spurgeon to intentionally speak this way is amazing and even intriguing. He makes a great case.
Secondly, Spurgeon shows that his personal study affected his public exhortations. This understand is so good for the church to see — a pastor not resting on his theological laurels but continually studying, continually learning, continually growing. Our people need to see us as pastors as ones who continually preach the Word and also hit the books — and I believe this is part of Paul’s exhortation to preach the Word “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). We should not just read about the subject of our sermons but read about various other subjects as well. Preachers should be the most well-read individuals on the planet — with the Scriptures being the first in line, of course. Which leads to the third observation:
If the occasion arose where he had to speak extemporaneously, could we? Would we have anything of substance to say? I am an expository preacher. This is God’s calling on my life. But I must be such a student of the Scriptures and even the culture (which comes in a distant second in priority) that if the opportunity presented itself and someone asked, “Our speaker could not make it due to __________. But since you are here, could you preach?” My mind should not be absorbed with ESPN, politics, Internet, or other trivial issues that mar our time in history. If I have an easier time talking about the NFL than I do about the inspired Word of God, I must repent right now and ask God to transform my priorities. (As an aside, Russ Moore preached an excellent sermon recently on proper priorities — you must listen!)
I would enjoy some feedback from all you preachers and expositors. When you read over Spurgeon’s quote here, what did you think? I hope you will share — this could be a good discussion!
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Last Sunday we had a guest missionary speaker from Mexico. I had met him at a church event Saturday night, so I knew he was in town. I had not yet seen him, however, when the service began. None of our Cross-Cultural missions team seemed concerned, but the longer the service went on, the more uneasy I became. For the first part of worship, I admit I didn’t worship much. I sang the words, but my eyes were scanning the sanctuary. (We have a fan-shaped sanctuary so it is easy with a turn of the head to see 85@ of the seats.) My thoughts went directly to the last question. If I *had* to speak extemporaneously, could I? When I was in Toastmasters (do they have Toastmaster clubs in the UK?) extemporaneous speaking was always my weak suit. As we approached the Lord’s Supper, I knew that the sermon was only 5-7 minutes away! Should/could I run and pull something out of my office? Should/could I speak extemporaneously? I turned to leave the auditorium to see what I could find, and there he was, sitting two rows behind me! He had been there all along!
I didn’t have to do it, but the question remains on the table…if I *had* to preach extemporaneously, could I? I am not so sure. Thanks for the post and the encouragement it brings to focus on ALWAYS being prepared to do that.
First,
As a long time Southern Baptist pastor I have used both expositional and topical preaching methods. However, nothing suits me better and keeps me on track stronger than preaching through a book of the Bible and showing its context and repetitive themes. I am now using this in most of my preaching and teaching.
In regards to Spurgeon’s thoughts- I have to put myself firmly on the fence.
One one hand- I believe God honors us when we are prepared– but Mr. Spurgeon seems to suggest a LIFE of preparation. Obviously, if you immerse yourself in the study of God’s Word continually you should always be prepared to speak regarding that which you are learning from God’s Word.
On the other hand, the quote suggested that Mr. Spurgeon saved that type of speaking/teaching/ preaching for ONE particular meeting per week. (Monday nights, if I read it properly.) If this was his practice, the people knew that he was seeking to speak from his heart rather than his notes and therefore it was just ONE part of his ministry.
I believe that there is a place for both types of speaking. However, the danger is that preachers will be lax in their time alone with the Lord and in preparation of sermons because they believe that they can speak on the spur of the moment. There is a niche for that sort of preaching, but it should not dominate the pulpits.
We must get back to preaching through books of the Bible so that we can show the context of popular verses.
I had a young preacher one time tell me that he the Bible commanded us not to despise his youth. I knew of the Scripture he was using and finally went back to its context. The next time I heard him say that he resented the fact that someone was “looking down” on him because of his youth and inexperience I opened the Word and showed him that the Apostle Paul wasn’t commanding those that Timothy was ministering to, but commanding Timothy to live such a life of love, commitment, purity, etc. that those he ministered to would have to respect him, despite his youth. The young man was shocked to find that in its context the verse didn’t provide him extra support when people disagreed with him.
When we preach the Word in its context, people learn and grow. When we topical preach and use verses out of their proper context we create misunderstanding and error.
David “the preacher” Wilson
abimilech@ca.rr.com
Pastor – Grant Avenue Baptist Church, Redondo Beach, California
I was called to the pastoral ministry three years ago. When I first began to preach, I was connected to my sermon manuscript and would hold onto it for dear life! That lasted for about a year and a half. Then I began hearing and reading that preacher’s should just have a few notes and not read from a manuscript. I got some comfort from reading about Jonathan Edwards who read his sermons from a manuscript word-for-word! But I’m no Jonathan Edwards! In October 2006, I started outlining my sermon and using a few cue cards, and preaching from them. Now, I’m on the other extreme, and simply write a few notes in the margin of my Bible. I wouldn’t call it extemporaneous, however. I find that the more I understand the context (exegesis) of the text, the more comfortable I am speaking without notes. I hope that the Lord reveals what text I should preach early in the week, but in any case, I wrestle with the text. I reflect on it and meditate on it throughout the days; while I’m on my elliptical machine, while I’m driving, while I’m praying. I research the original language, the commentaries and other sermons. Then when Sunday comes, I feel confident to speak with authority (the Scripture’s authority, not my own). Is it extemporaneous? Probably not. But great amount of preparation, and few if any notes. I’ve gone from one extreme to the other in two years. Hopefully I’ll find the happy medium in the years to come.
I’ve just read the book “Preaching on Your Feet” by Fred R. Lybrand. This guy has really done his research on this topic. Great read. I highly recommend.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read this, and automatically I felt conviction within my heart about the importance of ministers to take the charge seriously that Paul gave Timothy in 2nd Timothy 4:1-5. I know that I can, and most definitely should be spending more time fellowshipping with God in prayer and His Word. There are most likely going to be more “impromptu” times in our experiences that if we are ready can be the most powerful moments for the spreading of the gospel. I confess to all who would read this that I watch too much t.v., I procrastinate on a daily basis, and many other things that keep me from being the tool I can be in the hand of God. Would someone be willing to pray for me and all of God’s people who are a “chosen race, a royal preisthood, a holy nation, a people of His own possesion that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 peter 2:9) And also the call of the minster, or preacher, evangelist, pastor teacher. Great article, great job posting it and thank you.