by: Rev. Jim Keat
I went down a Wikipedia rabbit hole the other day, exploring how preaching, and especially the pulpit, has evolved over the centuries. From early preaching desks (ambos) to multi-deck monstrosities to metal music stands; from long lectures to dialogue to printed pamphlets; from the sanctuary to Charles Wesley’s infamous open-air preaching, both the pulpit and the sermon have never stood still.
Which makes me wonder: how will preaching continue to evolve? And how willing are we to evolve with it?
It’s one thing to preach from the pulpits of the past. It’s another to build, step into, and invite others into the pulpits of the future. Brick-and-mortar sanctuaries are not disappearing anytime soon. But we can’t wait for everyone to come to church. We have to bring this ever-evolving church to the people.
I’m not suggesting a return to open-air preaching. We’ve had enough bullhorns and soapboxes. But I am saying this: progressive faith leaders need to take seriously the pulpit in our pocket, the opportunity to reach countless people if we are willing to show up and proclaim good news of love and justice.
More specifically, I’m suggesting this: make short-form, vertical videos for YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and whatever comes next. But don’t just replicate your Sunday sermon. Reimagine preaching for this context, because preaching is always contextual. Pick a platform. Learn the space. Find your voice. Try something. Then keep showing up.
This isn’t just “one more thing to do.” It’s as essential as the sermons you’re already preaching every seven days. This is part of what it means to follow a God who isn’t anchored in the past, but moves like a refreshing breeze in the present, the wind in our sails pushing us forward.
Preaching has always evolved. The question is: will yours?
If you’re ready to take the leap, here are five tips to get started:
Keep it short.
Yes, it’s obvious, but it matters. The shorter the video, the more likely people are to watch it all the way through. If it’s over 60 seconds, you might lose them. What can you say in 30 seconds? In 15? In 5?
Be consistent.
Consistency builds trust. It forms people. Imagine if your congregation never knew whether there would be a sermon on Sunday morning. That rhythm matters. The same is true here. And practically, consistency helps platforms find and share your content with the people who need it.
Use captions.
You’ve got the idea. You filmed the video. Ready to post? Not yet. Captions make your content accessible, and they matter because most people watch on mute. If I can read what you’re saying, I am much more likely to stay engaged. Use built-in tools or apps, just don’t skip this step.
Plan ahead and show up in the moment.
You already do this with preaching. You follow the lectionary, the liturgical calendar, or a series plan. Do the same here. Map out themes and rhythms. At the same time, be ready to respond to the moment, to the news, to what is unfolding in the world. Preaching has always held both.
Find a process that works for you.
There’s no single right way. Phone or camera? In-app editing or external tools? You will figure it out through trial and error, mostly error. For me, sometimes it’s a camera at my desk. Sometimes it’s recording on a run. Find your rhythm. Learn from others, but don’t try to be someone you’re not.
We’re not giving up on preaching, traditional or reimagined. But we do need to let it evolve. Every tradition was once an innovation. Every new idea carries risk.
And right now, it’s not enough to bring people to church. We need to bring church to the people, one swipe, one tap, one comment at a time.
Want to learn more about preaching and innovation? Convergence has several options coming up.
- Join the Preaching & Worship Group on the Commons
- Check out all of our Digital Ministry offerings on the CoLab
- Engage with Cameron’s thoughts on Piloting Faith
- Explore how Convergence can help you evaluate and prepare for the future of your congregation through a Futures Workshop