And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Co 2:1–5).
Many young preachers often find themselves easily falling into the trap of placing excessive confidence and emphasis on homiletics, the art of preaching, and perfecting their elocution. This tendency arises from the fact that today's preaching, in many ways, has become a form of Christian entertainment.
We all have our preferred preachers for various reasons. These are the ones who captivate us with their eloquent speech, motivate us, inject humour into their sermons, avoid lengthy preaching, deliver thought-provoking messages, and manage to convict us without making us feel judged. Yes, we all have our favourite preachers.
You might have encountered the expression, "He or She is an anointed preacher," multiple times, but have you ever questioned its significance? Does it serve as a euphemism for someone who possesses great charisma or manages to captivate our attention? What do we mean by “anointed?”
From the verses above, Paul does not speak of being “anointed” in this verse but mentions coming in power and demonstrating the spirit. What does this mean? We know it does not mean coming in with a silver tongue, showing an air of authority, with a charismatic homiletic that was perfectly elocuted. Still, Paul came in weakness, fear, and much trembling.
What would Toastmasters say to Paul?
Imagine the scene, a Toastmasters meeting in ancient Corinth. The members are gathered for their regular session, and it's Paul's turn to deliver a speech about Christ. The room is filled with anticipation as Paul steps up to the podium.
Paul starts by saying:
Good evening, esteemed Toastmasters! Today, I want to share the incredible story of a man named Jesus, who was the Christ. He changed my life and continues to transform the lives of countless others. And then Paul begins passionately describing the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus, emphasizing the significance of his sacrifice and message.
Now comes the evaluations,
Toastmaster 1 (evaluator):
Thank you, Paul, for your speech. Your enthusiasm was truly infectious! However, let's dive into constructive feedback. First, your use of rhetorical devices like alliteration and repetition was remarkable, but we noticed that you tended to use long sentences. Breaking them up into shorter, punchier statements would enhance the overall impact.
Paul:
Ah, I see. So, shorter sentences for more impactful delivery. Got it!
Toastmaster 2 (evaluator):
Paul, your storytelling abilities are exceptional. The anecdotes about personal encounters with Jesus were both engaging and relatable. However, we couldn't help but notice that your speech lacked visual aids or props. A few illustrations or props could help solidify your points even further.
Paul:
Visual aids? Next time, I could bring a few miracles to illustrate my points! Water into wine, anyone?
The room chuckles at Paul's remark.
Toastmaster 3 (evaluator):
Paul, your passion for the topic was evident, and your conviction was inspiring. However, there were moments when your speech seemed to wander off into deep theological discussions. Simplifying complex concepts could make it easier for a broader audience to grasp your message.
Paul:
Simplify, simplify, simplify! I will strive to make the profound more accessible. Thank you for the feedback! (Paul takes notes and nods appreciatively as he absorbs the evaluations.)
Paul:
Toastmasters, your input is invaluable. I appreciate your encouragement and suggestions. Together, we can spread the good news even more effectively!
In this lighthearted scenario, even the great apostle would receive “constructive” feedback from the Toastmasters at the meeting. However, Paul was not interested in being known for his gifting, calling or talent. Paul says, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom… that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
If Paul were to receive feedback from a Toastmaster in ancient Corinth. Although the evaluations may offer valuable insights, such as using shorter, impactful sentences, incorporating visual aids, or simplifying complex concepts, Paul would remind us that his focus was not on being an eloquent or charismatic speaker. Instead, he recognized that his strength came from relying on the power of the Spirit to convey the message of Christ.
The temptation for any preacher to emphasize eloquence, homiletics, and captivating performances, is, in fact, a real temptation. However, Paul's example reminds us that true power lies not in persuasive human words or performance but in the demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God. This begs of us another question: what did Paul mean by demonstration of Spirit and power? A discussion for another day, perhaps.
Today, may we, like Paul, seek to rely on God’s power rather than men’s wisdom in every area of our lives, knowing that it is through the Spirit's demonstration that lives are transformed and faith is deepened
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