JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS
DAVE HANSON
John Wesley would remind us that there are four purposes for preaching: to invite…to convince…to offer Christ…and to build up!
These should be done in every sermon!
Some other suggestions:
Never disappoint a congregation. By this he means “show up”!
Begin and end on time!
Be sincere, weighty, and solemn!
Suit your subject to your audience!
Do not ramble!
Choose as plain a text as you can!
Keep to your text!
Be sparing of allegorizing or spiritualizing!
Take care of anything awkward or affected in gesture, phrase, or pronunciation!
Do not pray more than 8 or 10 minutes!
Avoid quaint words!
Beware of clownishness in speech or dress!
Wear no slouch hat!
Avoid mere formality in preaching or in using the liturgy!
Mean what you say and speak only what you feel!
The Rev. Dave Hanson is a retired pastor and John Wesley scholar.