If you’re a preacher, I assume these words from H.B. Charles will be encouraging to you:
It is said that imitation is the best form of compliment. But this is not true in the pulpit. If preaching is truth through personality, to proclaim the truth dressed up as some other personality is not to preach. It is pulpit identity theft. No preacher is completely original. We are all influenced by other preachers. We are shaped by our teachers. We are reflections of our pulpit heroes. It’s inevitable. But it should not be intentional.
God has called you. God has gifted you. God has prepared you. God has given you an assignment. God has given you a message to proclaim. The Lord made you an original. Don’t settle for being a cheap copy of someone else. No one can beat you being you.
———
H.B. Charles Jr., On Preaching: Personal & Pastoral Insights for the Preparation & Practice of Preaching (pp. 109-110). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
