In a recent post at Pastors.com, SBC President Ronnie Floyd offers some suggestions for preaching on difficult and controversial subjects. Here’s a portion of his article:
1. Be Biblical: I realize some of you will say, “Of course we have to be biblical,” and you are right. Yet, for clarity, If God’s Word speaks about it, we have something to say. If His Word is silent about it, we have nothing to say. Therefore, we must absolutely study, study and study some more about what the Bible says about the issue we believe we are to address. We must be more than prepared biblically…
2. Be Teachable: When you speak about a sensitive and challenging subject, it is some of the most difficult preparation you will do as a preacher. When you are dealing with an issue you do not live with daily, you have to do all you can to enter the world of the subject, becoming very teachable…
Be willing to be taught by others from all walks of life, getting their perspectives so you can enter the pulpit with the burden on your heart. Read all you can on the subject, from various professionals in the field to practical articles that help you process the subject. Talk to other pastors about how they would deal with it; and if they have dealt with it, ask them what pitfalls to avoid when you deliver the message. Teachability assists you in being a great preacher of God’s Word. (Click here to read the full article.)