I should probably clarify a little from my comment the other day. First of all, I meant to say Introductions where I wrote Illustrations. On average I have about 40 minutes to preach on Sunday mornings, so I take as much time in the Scriptures as I can. I have heard many of Dever's sermons online and I benefit from many of the introductions. I think he does it well. And, from this post, he is obviously thinking through each one to make sure it accomplishes something. I see nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, I see nothing wrong with not having them either.

I think it's important to think about who you are preaching to as well. If you are in a church who constantly has visitors who are nonbelievers, introductions with a gospel purpose could be very helpful. With all of that being said, I am not sure that there is a necessity to have introductions, nor do I think you cannot have introductions.

And for the record, I have a lot to learn about preaching, so please keep helping me and others with this blog.

Thanks Pastor Dever.

Thanks, we are all in this process of learning and growing when it comes to preaching and teaching.

Thank you for your insights!It is very helpful to hear some how's and why's of introductions. As it helps us grow from each and learn from other. I definitely gained some insight with what you said.

This is obviously unrelated, but I am curious as to what you pastors think is an appropriate amount of time to preach a sermon. I try to shoot for 45 minutes, but usually end up preaching for at least 50 minutes and sometimes 55 minutes. On rare occasions I might go for an hour. I am constantly conflicted about this matter.

On one Mother's Day Sunday, I remember visiting one SBC church where the guest preacher (also a SBC seminary professor) opened the Scripture to read John 3:16, then for 20 minutes gave a PowerPoint presentation of the biography of some of the leading women in the culture today (e.g. Oprah, Hilary Clinton, Martha Stewart, etc.), and then the latter 10 minutes preached that God loves all the women in the world.

Pastor Dever,

If you have some time to expand on/explain the "foil" idea, I'd very much like to read more. I'm not certain I understand. I have heard you start with what I think was a "Harvard Leadership" advertisement, then contrast biblical leadership with the ideas the ad puts forth. Is that what you mean by a "foil"? Thanks.

"This is obviously unrelated, but I am curious as to what you pastors think is an appropriate amount of time to preach a sermon...I am constantly conflicted about this matter." - Scott C

I think many of us feel your angst, me included. My situation is even a bit more restrictive than yours appears to be.

Here's a thought: Most pastors probably feel tension between the amount of time they 'need' to take and the expectations of the congregation. Why shouldn't a pastor approach his congregation in the appropriate forum and say, 'I think I usually need more time to do justice to the text I'm preaching. What's the best way to work this in? Can we start at 10:30 or 10:00 versus 11:00?'

I've just occasionally seen pastors be passive aggressive about this when a little truth in advertising might do the job to make the Word, and not the clock, be the focus of attention.