Coherence 10.30.2025

    My theme this month, should I wish to state it in a single, pointed phrase, comes down to the following: “It should all make sense.” Clarity, certainty, and consistency all contribute to information hanging together, that is coherence.

    If you want coherence in the pew, you need coherence in the pulpit. If you want coherence in the pulpit there should be coherence in the study. Even if you function with a genius level intelligence you need to shoot for a coherent presentation of God’s Word. In fact, the smarter you are the greater the need for deliberation and reflection. What seems simple to you and me because of the amount of time we spend immersed in the text and surrounded with other print authorities we are in danger of thinking that things are simpler than they are, and less in need of explanation. 

    When someone speaks incoherently their grammar, articulation, and internal logic may be all still be perfect. The disconnect is with external reality, or for our work, between the preacher and the congregation. We need to remember that Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky was grammatically sound—but still incoherent. I occasionally ask myself “have I put the feed down low enough?” Not because my congregation is dull—they certainly are not! It is simply too easy to overshoot when you have lived with a text on your mind and in your heart for days or weeks. These four “C’s” we have considered in October all require a reflective approach to the work we do. We need to work methodologically slow, even when we are exegeting, reading, writing, and editing fast. This is a matter of having clear standards of coherence at the beginning of the process. Enforcement of those standards that assure clarity, consistency, and certainty is a matter of having clear processes. It won’t be because of luck or talent. 

    And that is why I write for you, every week, dear reader. As a diligent and conscientious preacher, you know that guardrails keep both bad drivers and good drivers safe. I expect that you are a good driver. Good drivers respect the guardrails because they understand the critical nature of the work of preaching and how easy it is to “leave the road.” 

    I do not wish to continue beating this horse any more than necessary, yet please allow me a couple of concluding reminders for your consideration. First, you are tasked with explaining the text. The cultural disconnect between then and now is real and must be addressed. Pretending it does not exist will make it more incoherent, not less. We must explain and connect using experience and analogy. There are few other ways to learn anything. Pretending that there is no cultural distance will confuse the intelligent and bewilder the simple. Pretending is easy. Explaining can be hard--hard but essential. You and I have to be constantly learning how to do it better. Treat your congregation as intelligent adults who will thrive if you help them complete a coherent picture of a specific text. Speak with clarity and certainty not with pride and unearned arrogance. You can strive for both humility and clarity. People will trust you because you will speak with a consistent voice. 

    A final thought. No one else can do it for you. Preaching is not like the theatre. After the singing, after the necessary human interactions, after we have all come around the Lord’s Table, you are going to rise, just you and Holy Spirit and proclaim God’s Word. This is a solitary task. This is a task of vital  importance. Do it to the best of your ability. 

    October is Pastor appreciation month. Many of us have had dinners and celebrations and other expressions of thanks. The one thing you do that requires the most time the greatest investment of treasure and a commitment to developing your talent is preaching. After all that gratitude, in light of the supreme sacrifice of Jesus, let’s do our best to proclaim a coherent, challenging sermon every single week. What better life could one ask for?