Transcript
So one of the things you need to realize is that preaching is not generic. Yes, you are dealing with universal truths that all preachers are going to deal with, but you're dealing with them at a certain time, a certain location in a certain culture with a certain group of people. And in order for you to be effective, you have to be a good student of, not only the word of God, but of your people and the culture that influences them, so here's my advice.
Always Read Your Local Newspaper
First of all, always read your local newspaper. That local newspaper will inform you of the kinds of things that are immediately influencing the lives of the people that you're ministering to. And then, if you have a computer or an iPad or a phone, read two or three national newspapers. Read Huffington Post and begin to expose yourself to the ideas, the events, the philosophies that are shaping the way people think about identity, about meaning and purpose, about their inner sense of well-being.
It amazes me. I read maybe four or five of those things every morning and I experience again and again, there are issues that are discussed across every one of those. They're written in different places, but there are ideas that are very important. Who are the influential authors, the multi-million seller books that are influencing everyone? How much do I need to know about those books? Be exposed to those books.
So from the level of philosophical culture down to level of street level pop culture, you've got to be a student of the culture so you can speak the truth, exposing cultural lies, exposing cultural idolatries and teaching your people how to build bridges into that culture for influence for the gospel of Lord Jesus Christ.
