PREACHING THAT OH-SO-DELICATE SUBJECT
Speaking on sex clearly and redemptively is one of the preacher's biggest challenges.
Bill Hybels
January 1, 1988
What can a preacher say about sex without embarrassing or offending the congregation? One pastor who has pondered that question and developed a strategy is Bill Hybels, who preaches regularly about sex-related topics at Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, a church structured to reach the nonchurched. Based on a conversation with this innovative communicator, this article explains his motivation and methods for speaking publicly about a very personal subject.
I once had a professor who asked, "How often do you entertain thoughts about prophecy?"
One student answered what most of us thought: "About twice a year-once around Christmas, and again some time around Good Friday when I hear Isaiah 53."
"Okay," the prof replied. "Now, how many times in a given day do you have sexual thoughts?" Silence. The professor had accomplished his purpose. How many times do you hear biblically relevant preaching on human sexuality-something people are thinking about all the time?
That question stuck with me, and when I began ministering with youth, I put his advice to work. After all, what's on the mind of teenagers?
But as I got older, it occurred to me that I was still interested in sexuality, even though I was married and pastoring a church and years removed from the hormone battles of puberty. And I know I'm not alone, because every time I preach on a sexual matter, the church grows quiet in a hurry.
Sex is on our minds.
...
Why Rush In Where Angels Tiptoe?
I realize preaching about sexual matters is fraught with possible problems. I could offend people. I might embarrass somebody, including myself. I might even distract the thinking of those listening.
Yet I can't ignore the topic.
Marriages are struggling because of misleading information ...
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