Over the years, I have occasionally been asked whether I have attended the preaching sessions hosted by the Simeon Trust. The Charles Simeon Trust (CST) is a ministry dedicated to training pastors and church leaders in expository preaching, helping them interpret and teach the Bible faithfully. Named after 18th-century Anglican preacher Charles Simeon, the trust was founded in 2001 and offers workshops, online courses, and study resources focused on biblical exposition. Their training emphasizes proper hermeneutics, considering context, genre, and Christ-centered interpretation. The Simeon Trust has been supported by pastors like David Helm, Mark Dever, and D.A. Carson.

I’ve sometimes wondered if the question was meant as a hint—at times, it has felt that way. This is especially true given my differences with the traditional preaching style in Reformed circles. While I fully believe in expositional preaching, my delivery, style, and points of emphasis often differ from those of some of my colleagues in ministry. I’m not the most articulate speaker and occasionally stumble over my words, but the main distinction lies in how I deliver the message. I don’t fit the mold of a typical Western Reformed preacher who has been shaped by that tradition.

I believe this has actually been an advantage, especially in an inner city context. Many people have grown weary of dry exposition—where the content is true and doctrinally sound, but the delivery feels more like a lecture than a sermon. At the same time, those coming from Pentecostal or Word of Faith backgrounds often struggle with the shift to expositional and theological preaching. However, my style and delivery have helped bridge that gap, making the doctrines of grace and exposition more accessible in a way they can understand. I’m not opposed to what the Simeon Trust offers, but I have often wondered whether my culture, background, and preaching style would be met with skepticism.

I came to saving faith in a Black church, and I deeply appreciate many aspects of that experience. There were men who powerfully preached the Word of God, even though they weren’t from a Reformed background. While I sometimes disagreed theologically, I’ve found that to be the case across all traditions. Over time, I’ve come to love how we, as Reformed preachers, preach God’s Word, but I’ve also noticed some shortcomings. At times, the preaching can feel more like a dry lecture, lacking passion, while others have been overly critical about issues unrelated to the passage at hand. Admittedly, I’m being a bit critical and picky here, but overall, I don’t see the Reformed heritage as a problem in today’s pulpit. In fact, I believe we need more of it—I would love to see all pulpits committed to expositing the Word and proclaiming God’s sovereign grace.

I’ve had different experiences that have shaped me as a man of God and a pastor, and I cannot—and do not want to—ignore them. Yes, there are times when I struggle with deciding where to divide a chapter when scheduling Sunday sermons. Maybe I’ve spent too long on a chapter or moved too quickly through a few verses. That may be true. But thankfully, I have a gracious church that allows me to keep learning and growing in my preaching.

The real challenge comes when templates are created for preaching—defining style, culture, and delivery in a rigid way. That approach forces men like me to set aside who we are in exchange for an identity that isn’t truly ours. I’m not willing to do that. If it were a matter of dishonoring the Lord, I would change without hesitation. But to discard my experiences and uniqueness in the pulpit would mean becoming an artificial preacher, merely parroting a style and culture—and in the process, losing authenticity altogether.

So, would I ever attend a Simeon Trust training? Maybe. But it would be a challenge if the assumption is that there is only one way to preach when it comes to style and culture. I fully agree with the importance of proper hermeneutics, understanding context and genre, and maintaining a Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture. However, delivery and points of emphasis can and should differ. A pastor must not only exegete Scripture but also exegete their people—understanding their needs and emphasizing certain points in a passage to provide pastoral counsel that speaks to their specific context.

Scripture and faithful exposition will always be timely and will always meet the needs of God’s people. We should never insert our own ideas into the text or prioritize the needs of the people over what Scripture actually says. It is God’s Word that ultimately tells us what we need, but how it is delivered—and the preacher delivering it—will naturally vary. The main, central truth of the passage must remain the same: Christ should be exalted, God’s people should be edified, and the lost should be given the gospel for salvation. However, there is room for variety in delivery. Forcing a particular culture, style, or personality onto preaching strips the life and vibrancy from the man delivering God’s Word, making the message feel more mechanical than Spirit-led.

Maybe the problem with preaching isn’t the method but the men within the world of preaching. Perhaps we need to allow for variety and celebrate the different expressions in the pulpit rather than trying to force a singular mold. It’s important to remember that there are no perfect preachers—only one ever preached perfectly, and He left His Word for us to carefully and faithfully deliver to His people. I’ve been told before that my preaching isn’t as articulate or polished as others, and while compliments were given to other preachers in front of me, it never seemed to cross their minds how that might affect someone who already struggles with self-doubt.

I am not a great preacher—I just want to be faithful and do my best for the local church I serve. I have been affirmed by my denomination, for which I am deeply grateful, and my church has been incredibly encouraging. My wife and family have also been supportive, and I thank God for them. I do want to grow as a preacher, but more than that, I want the Lord to be glorified. If my delivery doesn’t meet the expectations of those who believe there is only one right way to preach, then so be it. My contentment comes from being faithful and worshipful in the preaching of God’s Word, not from meeting human standards.