expository preaching

Types of sermons can be defined with numerous variations, subdivisions, and hybrids. In this poll, we are asking which style your church features MOST. Few pastors, for example, always preach expository sermons — but many mostly do. Here are our definitions:

I remember Rick Warren asserting that Jesus preached topical sermons. If learning what I have learned about midrash, I disagree with Warren.

But whether Jesus (or the writer to the Hebrews, for example) was doing exposition or not, it seems as though expository preaching is not longer considered a sign of a good church — at least not in the popular evangelical mind.

Will it survive at all? Will it survive as a secondary form of preaching?

Faith Baptist Theological Seminary is now offering a Doctor of Ministry degree, designed for Christian leaders in full-time ministry. This three-year program, which can extend up to five years, is designed using a cohort model. Each cohort will take either the Shepherding and Discipleship or Expository Preaching track. The inaugural class will receive a 25% program discount. Read more here.

Most of us would say that a lot of what is called expository preaching isn’t. Spurgeon is a good case in point. He may deal with a text, but not a portion. Others use the text as an excuse to preach on a topic.

So what do we mean by expository preaching? The point of the sermon is the point of the text, usually involving 3 verses to a chapter. The text is outlined in some fashion, its meaning and intent explained, and then applied. That definition, while unpolished, should do for our poll.

Poll Results

Does your church (or do you, if a pastor) feature MOSTLY expository preaching on Sunday morning?

Yes, mostly expository Votes: 22
No, expository preaching is not the norm Votes: 1
I don’t really know what expository preaching is Votes: 0
Other or undecided Votes: 1
Our church features expository preaching, but not Sunday morning Votes: 0