The Other Half of Preaching

I have watched this scene play out more than once.

A young church planter arrives fresh out of Bible college, sent out with a ministry philosophy still warm from the classroom and a hunger to preach. His study is covered in commentaries. He has three alliterated points and what he is certain is a show-stopping illustration. He steps into the pulpit — and proceeds, for thirty-five minutes, to preach almost entirely to himself. The congregation is present, of course. Physically.