I can't quite work out just how they did it, but Channel Ten seemed to have created perfect television in MasterChef.

It's competitive without being cruel. It's compassionate without being corny. It's comic without being crass.

Finally, we have a format that would be compatible with a ministry competition. So, maybe it's time for 'MasterPreacher'.

Yes, for the folks playing at home, I'm being a little tongue-in-cheek.

But, I wonder whether we could do for preaching what MasterChef has done for cooking? Could we create some sort of competition to refine this essential part of the ministry in our churches?

MasterPreacher: the concept

Here's the format. Contestants are given a passage of scripture or a topic, and a context in which they need to give a talk. It might be a youth group, a seniors' home, a corporate lunch, or perhaps a traditional church service.

As soon as they receive the passage of scripture or the topic, then they are each allowed five minutes in a theological library to select their resources. Then they get one hour to prepare their talk, which they then give in a simulated environment to the three judges.

In the early rounds, the talk is five minutes' long. In the final rounds it is the full length.

Who should be our judges? What about John Chapman, Al Stewart and Glenn Davies, with visits in the final rounds from Peter Jensen, Don Carson and Mark Driscoll?

What prize would we offer? Perhaps the opportunity to preach at the next Katoomba Christian Convention? And perhaps $5000 credit on a Moore Books account?

The notion of competitiveness in preaching sounds like it is against the vibe of our ministry. Yet, in reality, this is what happens anyway. There are only so many opportunities to speak at the largest 'gigs', and many great preachers miss out, anyway.

What's more, the fact that people love preaching enough to want to excel at it is something to be encouraged not discouraged. If an upcoming minister of the gospel doesn't dream of being used by God to powerfully preach, then maybe they're not really passionate enough?

I suspect Fremantle Media will bump this idea. Maybe the Australian Christian Channel might like it? But it's probably just another good idea that will end up on the cutting-room floor.

Can you think of any other reality TV formats that might match up with our ministry of the Word? Serious and silly suggestions welcome!