The preacher's family used in sermon illustrations

How well the preacher and his hearers know one another might affect things but perhaps the preacher should remember:

(1) The golden rule. He should do unto others as he would have them do unto him and that includes the wife and kids. He should not embarass his family or score points from the pulpit. They don't have the right of reply. His family's privacy is not his to give away. Life in the Vicarage has its blessings and challenges. The Vicar doesn't need to make it worse by mocking its enhabitants when he's 6 ft above contradiction. There are enough resentful Preacher's Kids about.

(2) His family may not be as cute, charming, amusing, fascinating, brilliant and interesting to others as they are to him. He should not show off.

(3) Any one brand of illustration over-used can become predictable and tedious.

(4) The occasional story at his expense has its place.

(5) The minister does have a role as an example to the church he serves and that involves sharing something of his life with them in appropriate ways. It is good for the people to realise that he is a real human being with struggles like theirs.

(6) If you are going to use a story it could be anonymised: "One of my 7 sons..." or even, "I know a man in Christ..."; "The story is told...."

(Thanks to those who discussed this with me on Facebook. I have stolen their thoughts!)

P.S. some of these considerations might also apply to things you say on your blog, Twitter, Facebook and in other places too