Below is my response to a recent email from a very invested Brentwood volunteer asking some great questions about why we (me specific) teach in series and topics at our church. You’ll have to assume some of the questions, but maybe it will help you know why we preach/teach that way.

Here it is: “Thanks for being a part of the Brentwood family, and I’m glad you love serving, and the teaching here.”

“Hopefully, I can answer your question about how I teach on Sunday. First, let me say, I don’t believe my way is the best way, just the way I think God has wired me. I grew up in a family of preachers, teachers, writers and storytellers, so all that DNA definitely comes into play for me.”

“But, after preaching and teaching for fifteen years, I’ve come to realize God has wired me to be more of an edifying and envisioning teacher, rather than a classic proclaiming preacher or even intellectual. Although, I admire and respect all styles of preaching, and have tried just about all of them as an early pastor, I am most confident in the voice you hear each Sunday. It is my voice, I guess you could say. Before though, I felt I was trying to “put on someone else’s armor.” I wanted to be my dad at first, then Chuck Swindoll and Rob Bell, Andy Stanley and John Piper. Then, it hit me, you are Jon, not those guys. Preach with the voice God gave you. So, that’s what I’ve tried to concentrate on these past few years.”

“I guess my style, and the one I coach to other communicators at Brentwood, is a blend of narrative and contextual teaching. In other words, a Biblical truth (or topic) and a theological mandate, relevant to our church in our world, that is taught and enhanced by personal story, art and even media. Essentially, I try not to use “churchy” or seminary words, but sometimes I just have to say “justification” or “sanctification.”"

“As for preaching through a book of the Bible entirely. Yes, you’re right, I’ve done that, and found that I resonate more as a pastor/leader/teacher when I am looking at the entire Biblical narrative, and not just one book, throughout the life cycles of our church body. With that, I believe all the Bible is inspired and God’s word, but all parts are not helpful all at the same time. So, I find that being thematic and topical is most helpful for the leadership and church body I’m entrusted with. Again, that’s just me. And yet, there are great pastors that flourish in a verse-by-verse, book-by-book style, and I admire them. In fact, I think they’re called to it.”

“The one thing I guess all us preachers and congregants have to remember is that God gives each pastor a particular calling, talent, voice and vision in God’s greater work. And, it’s the pastor’s responsibility to give his best back to God and His church through all that. That’s basically what I try to do each week, and what I try to encourage in other pastors.”

Let me know if this was helpful, and maybe some topics or series you’d like hear covered at Brentwood soon.