The personality of the preacher, whether neutral or magnetic, weak or dynamic, falls into the background in the proper preaching and hearing of the sermon. The tradition of liturgical preaching stands poles apart from the modern "cult of personality," which in politics as well as in church life distracts men's minds from actual issues. Preaching is not a matter of entertaining or pleasing people, of rhetorical skill or imparting information; it is not the preacher's opportunity to air his personal impressions or recollections; it is a serious call to repentance and the announcement of God's grace. -- Earnest Koenker, *Worship in Word and Sacrament* pp. 54, 55.
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