How to Preach Like No One Else

Do you want to preach like no one else?

Then stop trying so hard to preach like somebody else?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love listening to great preaching! I am currently subscribed to 18 church podcasts (I recommend Downcast). I never miss a good message from preaching giants like Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, or Matt Chandler.

Most of the time when I’m driving my car I’m not listening to top 40 radio. I’m listening to a top 40 sermon. I just can’t get enough of it. I love good preaching!

Personally, I think exposing myself to a lot of quality preaching has really helped me grow as a communicator. Everyone who wants to improve should learn from those who are better than them. But if Im not careful, my obsession with famous pastors can also hurt me.

The problem comes when I try too hard to imitate one of my favorite preachers. I can get caught up trying so hard to preach like someone else that I no longer preach like me.

Have you ever been there? Are you there right now?

Here is what is funny: what do we love so much about all of my favorite preachers? Nobody else preaches like them! They all have their own unique voice and their own unique style.

Nobody creates memorable statements like Andy Stanley. He was tweeting with his sermons before Twitter.

Nobody shoots straight like Mark Driscoll. He can yell at you and somehow make you love him for verbally beating the sin out of you.

Nobody preaches with as much genuine care for people as Rick Warren. He has a way of making you feel like your dad gave you a hug and shared a nugget of wisdom.

What all of the great preachers throughout history have in common is that they are all different. They use the unique personality – the unique voice – that God gave them.

None of them stand up on stage and try to rip off someone else’s sermon. So why do we try to copy them by doing what they aren’t doing?

Every preacher needs to find their own voice.

We don’t need another Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Billy Graham or Charles Spurgeon. We need you. Your unique voice. Your unique God-given personality.

You are not Francis Chan, Steven Furtick or Craig Groeschel. You are you.

Besides, last I checked the only person we are supposed to be imitators of is Christ.

So stop ripping off sermons by your favorite pastor. Stop fantasizing about being in their shoes.

There are enough copy cats and clones out there. Be different.

Whatever it takes, find your voice. Be yourself. Preach your guts out.

Then you too will preach like no one else.

Who are you tempted to imitate the most? Have you found your voice?