Learning to Preach

I am working on my Masters Degree at Crown College. My hopes are to achieve a MA in Ministry Leadership in the not too distant future. One day I'd like to teach young pastors in a college classroom setting. Someday...

Right now I am in the course, The Biblical Communicator. We are being taught how to perform verse by verse expository preaching. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not preach that way for the most part. I typically preach a topical sermon and use several passages of God's Word in each of my sermons. Doing so, I believe this allows me to "scratch where they itch."

This book by Robinson is the text for this class. I have heard Haddon Robinson speak on a few occasions. He is a very gifted communicator. He definitely knows how to craft a sermon. My questuion though is this, "Does every pastor need to follow the same guidelines?" Is there not room for variety? If the message is based on God's Word, who says that I must have three developmental questions?

For the sake of the grade, I will do it their way, but not be completely agreeable in doing so. It is all about changed lives. If you are regularly in a pulpit, can you see evidence of changed lives because of what you are preaching? If not, maybe it is time to start asking yourself some tough questions!