in the pulpit when I should have kicked the congregation in the seat of the pants! This is one of the toughest problems modern pastors face. People need and want to hear how a pastor shares their struggles and pain. Nonetheless, a part of them longs to hear an authoritative word to guide their lives. Different preachers bring different gifts to the pulpit. Some are proclaimers, with an authoritative word. Others are more intimate: “Let me tell you what God has been doing in my life.” Naturally, we