What the Teleprompter Teaches Preachers

In an op-ed piece entitled What the Teleprompter Teaches, columnist Michael Gerson says that it's a mistake to argue that the uncrafted, "off the cuff" comments of a leader are somehow more authentic. He writes,

Governing is a craft, not merely a talent. It involves the careful sorting of ideas and priorities. And the discipline of writing -- expressing ideas clearly and putting them in proper order -- is essential to governing. For this reason, the greatest leaders have taken great pains with rhetoric. Lincoln continually edited and revised his speeches. Churchill practiced to the point of memorization. Such leaders would not have been improved by being "unplugged." When it comes to rhetoric, winging it is often shoddy and self-indulgent -- practiced by politicians who hear Mozart in their own voices while others perceive random cymbals and kazoos. Leaders who prefer to speak from the top of their heads are not more authentic, they are often more shallow -- not more "real," but more undisciplined.

I think Gerson's insight is something that pastors -- men who are called to govern the church of Jesus Christ-- should carefully consider when it comes to the teaching of scripture. How much more motivated to be clear and disciplined in our communication should men be who are called to handle the very word of God?

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

Read Gerson's article.

Comments (7)

This is why watching The West Wing has to be a key part of leadership training - you have to watch Toby, Sam and Will crafting speeches and think, our message has got to be worth more care and thought than theirs...

Posted by dave bish | March 27, 2009 5:53 PM

Ok So I know you are probably sick to death of all of the dating questions, I mean what is it like 6 years since you wrote the contra-dating book? Well, its about that long since I read it at least.

Anyway I broke up with my boyfriend of 7 months on tuesday. I know it was the right thing to do.

I'm 22, done with college, am looking for a fulltime job, and go to a small church where there are hardly any single guys. My sister and I go to a weekly Bible study for people in their 20s on Mondays and we frequent all kinds of different book stores.

My question is this:

Where am I supposed to meet Christian guys now?? I am one of the last un-married Christian girls in my circle of friends, and besides my ex-boyfriend, I don't know any more single Christian guys.

I mean, prior to dating my ex, I didn't date for 2 years. I'm older now though and I want to be in a GODLY relationship that will eventually lead towards marriage.

My hairdresser suggests hotel resturants, but that seems dangerious. My mother suggested Christian music festivals, but my partime job won't pay for that. My father says look around me, but really, where can I go? I don't want to be one of those Christian girls who goes from church meeting to church meeting and then at age 62 realizes that she never married.

Posted by Paige | March 27, 2009 7:55 PM

Dear Paige,

I think u really need to check on your priority in life. Is your priority to find God or pushing God to help u for marriage?

Posted by VERA | March 27, 2009 10:44 PM

I think you missunderstand me completely though. I broke up with the last guy because I felt God was telling me to do so. I think God wants us to be into his word and stuff, but I think if he has placed a desire in our heart for marriage we need to persue that. But how do we go about it without going into a bar or somethig?

Posted by Paige | March 27, 2009 11:21 PM

Paige,

Thanks for your question. My encouragement is to make your focus growing in your relationship with God and giving your life away in service in your local church. I think that's the healthiest context to develop godly friendships.

I respect you for wanting to honor God in this part of your life. Keep trusting him and seeking him with all your heart. God bless!

Joshua

Posted by Joshua Harris | March 27, 2009 11:48 PM

To get back the the teleprompter illustration, I think another parallel can be drawn- That planning is great, but you need to make sure the thoughts and ideas you're presenting are really yours. Not that you can't learn from others. But if you haven't made it authentically yours, other people will be able to tell and it will ring hollow.

Posted by Bethany | March 31, 2009 5:03 PM

Great quote! and a very vital point also. :)

Posted by Sarah | April 1, 2009 3:29 AM

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