21/12/2021
In contrast to both “command” and “influence” communication, we have proclamation.
Proclamation is an announcement, a declaration of what is. It’s a “Hear this!” that changes everything.
We aren’t trying to tell people what to do or influence them toward certain actions. We are simply proclaiming the story and person of Jesus Christ (the gospel). Proclamation reveals a new world that challenges and offers itself in place of the story the listener is currently living in.
Proclamation gives new answers to the questions we thought we already knew:
Who is God?
Who am I because of who God is?
What am I able to do because of this?
Proclamation of good news does NOT motivate with:
Fear (“You’d better listen to God or else!”)
Guilt (“How much has God done for you? Think about all the trouble God went through to get you into right relationship with himself!”)
Shame (“You are nothing but a worm, an object of wrath outside of God’s provision in Jesus. You deserve nothing and are worth nothing outside of God’s action on your behalf; the least you could do is obey out of thanksgiving for all of this!”)
No, proclamation traffics in love, empowering the listener to rise up into their true identity and authority in God’s kingdom.
Proclamation is a challenging invitation to live in a new story. It requires a new imagination. It requires repentance. This is why Jesus followed his announcement of good news (“the kingdom of God is at hand!”) with an invitation to take action (“repent and believe the good news!”).
Proclamation happens in the worship service on Sunday.