What do you think is the worst – of all the possible ones – that a preacher can make?  The’s the question I want to pose today and attempt to answer over the coming Tuesdays.   I have identified 10 pulpit crimes, though I am sure there are many others I have not included.

Working backwards, in the usual way, for me the 10th worst mistake is IMITATING OTHERS

I was immensely privileged to have Dr Sinclair Ferguson as a visiting lecturer when I was at College and he was hugely respected and revered by everyone.   One morning the student responsible for College devotions mimicked Dr Ferguson, copying his all too easily recognised hand gestures and turns of phrase, even imitating his distinctive voice.   The object of this act of supposed flattery sat on the very front seat of the auditorium becoming redder and redder in the face as the service proceeded.   I don’t doubt that this, conscious or otherwise, imitation arose from a profound affection and respect for the lecturer but everyone knew that it was not natural and it was deeply embarassing for everyone.  I just hope that one of the staff had the wisdom to take the student aside afterwards and correct him.

The story is told of a well-known preacher who would have been bald if it had not been for what we, in this part of the world, call his noticeable ‘comb-over’ .  It meant that every few minutes as he preached he had to brush his hair away from the front of his face and it is said that you could recognise his students because many of them – even a bald one – mimicked the same gesture repeatedly as they preached.

One of the powerful definitions of preaching is that it is ‘truth through personality’ – but it needs to be the personality of the preacher himself and not a ‘take off’ of someone he respects, admires or wishes he was.   It is very easy, even unconsciously, to model ourselves on someone we hold in the highest esteem or who has been a wonderful example and blessing to us, but God wants to use us – with our own voice and individual traits and mannerisms and styles etc.  I must allow the Holy Spirit to use the unique personality God has given me.

We can learn from other preachers, but we must not make the mistake of imitating them.

One of the wisest pieces of advice for any would-be preacher would be BE YOURSELF!

Warren Wiersbe has written, “You must know yourself, accept yourself, be yourself, and develop yourself – your best self – if preaching is to be most effective.”