For over two decades, my preaching was shaped by the formative influences of seminary professors such as Fred Craddock, Ron Allen, Frank Thomas, and many others who guided my early development. These mentors grounded me in a disciplined approach to preaching, one that was both thoughtful and measured. I still hold great admiration for their teachings and the impact they had on my early ministry. In those years, my sermons followed a structured, manuscript-based format, as I’d been taught. I avoided charismatic excess and tried to ensure the integrity of the pulpit. For twenty years, I preached faithfully within these boundaries.

Yet, in the last two years, my preaching has undergone a significant transformation. Andy Stanley, though theologically different from me, has been a surprising influence on my current preaching style. His ability to engage a congregation with a more conversational and unscripted approach resonated with me in ways I didn’t expect. It gave me the freedom to connect with the congregation in a more personal and Spirit-led manner. For almost a year now, I have not written a sermon. Instead, I step into the pulpit without a script, allowing myself to engage directly with the congregation, leaving behind the restraint that once defined my preaching. This shift has not only liberated me but also energized the church. Attendance has increased, and the congregation has become more engaged as we collectively feel the Spirit moving among us.

This transformation is part of a larger hope I carry for the future of preaching. The Proclamation Project is an opportunity to encourage others to find their own voice. The church today needs effective and authentic preaching, rooted in the unique gifts of each minister. I believe we must empower those called to live out their vocation and bring the Good News to a fragmented world. As I have experienced this freedom and joy in my own ministry, I hope others, too, will feel empowered to move beyond their fears and traditions to discover the voice God has given them. We need preachers who can speak truth to a world in desperate need of healing and grace.

I am finally stepping fully into the preacher God called me to be, and I hope my journey will inspire others to find that same freedom in their own ministry.

Published in the November 2024 issue of For the Messengers

Rev. Andy Campbell is the Minister of Yale Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following his ordination, Andy has served churches in Indiana, Georgia, and Kentucky before landing in Tulsa.

You might also find helpful:

• What’s Your Preaching Identity? — a Proclamation Project resource for preachers examining how their voice and style have formed over time
• The Sound of the Genuine — on finding the authentic core of your preaching voice, wherever it leads
• We Can Change — Rev. Elizabeth Grasham on how ministry circumstances reshaped her entire approach to sermon preparation