Between Lecturing & Pulpit

I have been postponing my writing for awhile because I had a teaching duties at one Theological Seminary for several weeks. It is quite difficult to write while preparing lectures. I am not "multi-tasking" kind of guy, perhaps, nobody only rare kind. Still living in Covid-19 condition, so I taught the class online. Quite challenging however, it is done! This new experience humble me at most. The possibility and also the opportunity to teach is also a grace for I think I'm not deserve anything, not that I know that I am really capable to teach because deeply inside my heart I notice, I am also still a learner. I was reminded by the word of Hudson as he said in the context of mission field, "I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done." The feeling of accomplishing this mission of teaching lead me to doxology. 

After the teaching experience, it lead me to a deep reflection on teaching. Especially as pastor, I wonder what is the difference between teaching and preaching? Actually this question is not new. Dallas R. Burdette in his book Biblical Preaching and Teaching wrote that "it is critical that we understand the distinction between preaching and teaching" To this very matter I remember walking down to the enormous library of Trinity Theological College and looking for a book in Preaching section. As I turn the pages of random book in the preaching section, I found some interesting word. I did not remember exactly the title of the book, yet, the author mentioned that the difference between teaching and preaching as minister is the audience. If the audience or listener is believer, then we can call our speech teaching. If the people who heard our herald is not a believer than we can call it preaching. The idea was mind blowing to me at the moment. However, if we apply that distinction then it is quite difficult to distinguished between preaching and teaching. How about people who are still in the crossroads? Did they hear me preaching or did they hear me teaching? Moreover in our Bible, the verb didasko (To teach) and the verb kerysso (to preach) are both directed to unbelievers (Acts 28:30-31). 

One think I realize that kind of distinction base on receptors are made for the reason of that preaching  bring faith and teaching is for nurturing. Of course with that distinction and logic, we know that believer has already have faith. So what they need is teaching not preaching. I cannot diminished that idea totally, it shared some light in a new perspective of receptor, yet we need a better explanation of the distinction between preaching and teaching. Probably from my experience of teaching and preaching at the moment, I realize both things are closely interconnected. In Ephesians 4:11 it seems to suggest the idea of pastor-teacher. So what we can say more about, well, frankly speaking, we cannot separate both. I think as long as the content is truth and the gospel, whenever we deliver it, with whatever style, it can be a form of preaching or teaching. As for me, the difference is that in teaching we need more foundational theories, facts and information whereas in preaching we need more application and explication of the Word that is already been cooked well (not merely ingredients/disjointed truth).

I agree with David M Brown that the distinction is located in the emphasis. He wrote in his work Transformational Preaching, "generally, teaching purpose is "here is what you should know"; Here how you practice your faith." it is informational. It impart knowledge that leads to loving God with your Mind. The purpose of preaching, on the other hand is "here is what you must do", how you must respond to biblical truth." It is ministry of persuasion, inspiration and motivation. rather than providing listeners with an understanding of biblical truth (as happens in teaching), preaching's desire is to get listeners to believe and/or act on that biblical truth, where the listener is confronted with a decision. Preaching leads to loving God with your heart (will), body (action), and strength (resolve)." From this clear distinction we now know, many congregation does not understand this distinction. When they listen to pastor preaching they says, why so little knowledge? Why only motivation? Well, for it is what preaching all about. It is like saying why apple is not spicy? Of course, apple produce sweet not spice!

After the exposure to the both areas, little better I know the distinction between Teaching & preaching by experience. Both are essentially different albeit in practice, we can have a teaching lesson with preaching nuance, and the other way round. In fact, we should bring those two in harmony  intentionally, for the sake of ministering more effectively to God's people with various needs. However, one thing I know both are important in ministry especially in the larger scope of evangelization and disciple-making. Lecturing should not only imparting knowledge only but need to move people as well. Preaching also not only motivate but also give people new biblical insights that can transform people.  

Indeed, pastor fundamental responsibility is to teach and preach, other things are just secondary. As pastor, I think we need to be excellent in these two areas especially for preaching as one senior pastor once reminded me, "Jeremiah, we need to do out best in our preaching for every other kind of ministries people can do and handle it without even a need of a pastor except for one thing, preaching. Nobody can substitute pastor for preaching ministry, to deliver and expound the gospel to the congregation." Resonate deeply in my soul, to this very statement, I cannot agree more! By giving the best of those two areas, by God's grace, through faithful preaching and teaching we believe people can connect to Jesus!