Towards Understanding of the Practice of Proclamation: The Core Element of Russian Baptist Worship, Timofey Cheprasov, 2015

is the best preparation for the testimony about Him.°° In 1954 the BV publishes an article by Motorin, “Sluzheniie Propovednika [Preacher’s ministry]. The author sets himself to address a problem — in many churches preaching lacks power, does not satisfy the listeners, and pastors are not able to provide example through their ministry. In order to deal with these issues, preachers are advised to first of all prepare for the event. Motorin rebukes those who reject 33 “Nekotoriie Ukazaniia 0 Tom, Kak Gotovitsia K Propovedi” [“Some Instructions on How to Prepare for Preaching” ], in Bratskii Vestnik, Vol. 2 (1948), p 53. *4 Ibid., pp 54-56. Ibid., pp 56-57. 99 preparation on the basis of Matthew 10:19-20.*° He reminds readers that the passage relates to a court-room, and not to a context of a local church. Hence, preparation for ‘teaching’ and ‘edification’ is a must. Morotin’s recommendations on how to prepare a sermon can be divided into three categories: (1) spiritual, (2) stylistic, and (3) structural. Spiritual preparation involves reflection on a specific passage, as well as prayer. Stylistic preparation highlights the need to be aware of gestures, choice of words, intonation, and general ‘appropriateness’ of a preacher in a pulpit. Those whose character or preaching style does not conform to 1 Peter 4:11, ‘If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God,’ are told to be banned from this ministry.°” Structural preparation highlights the need to have preaching notes. Motorin argues the case for the use of notes using the examples of Prokhanov, Kargel and Pavlov, ‘who never preached without notes.’ The use of preaching notes is considered important, since it helps preachers to maintain clarity of thought and direction all through the sermon. Finally, preachers and pastors are advised to use publications from the BV in their preaching. *® A year later, a similar piece by V. S. Schavelin, a preacher and the author of many publications in the BV, entitled “Chto Dolzhen Znat Propovednik” [“What a Preacher Must Know”] addressed the same issues as preparation (mainly through prayer and meditation), style and length of a sermon. However, the author places much heavier emphasis on the supernatural nature of preaching. The main themes of the article can be formulated through these quotations, ‘The preacher who is not in Christ always risks in his sermon to deviate from what the Holy Spirit wants...’ and ‘Each preacher must daily, with prayer, immerse himself into the abyss of God’s wisdom and guidance.’ All the subsequent promptings to ‘prepare,’ ‘be sensitive to the listeners,’ ‘notice your audience’ are not substantiated in any way, which conveys a clear message: the “right heart” and solid relationships with God will 3© Matthew 10:19-20: ‘...do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speak