The Other Side of the Pulpit

Listeners Experiences of Helpful Preaching

Rationale

The New HomileticAllen: “taking a turn to the listener”Dominant influence in the development of preaching has remained theoretical and theological

Existing Research

Mary Alice Mulligan and Ronald J. Allen, Make the Word Come Alive: Lessons from Laity (Chalice: St. Louis, 2006).

In-depth individual and group interviews with 263 lay persons and 32 preachers in 28 Midwestern U.S. congregations

Ronald J Allen and Mary Alice Mulligan, "Listening to Listeners: Five Years Later," Homiletic 34, no. 2 (2009): 4.

The sermon should deal in a foundational way with who God is and asks. Preachers should live in a manner consistent with the church’s theological convictions.Preachers should speak from their own experience.The sermon should center in the Bible and make the biblical material come alive for the listener.The message needs to relate in a practical way to the lives of the listening communities.

Ronald J Allen and Mary Alice Mulligan, "Listening to Listeners: Five Years Later," Homiletic 34, no. 2 (2009): 4.

The sermon should be short (although the meaning of short varies from congregation to congregation).Preachers need to be clear and easy to understand.Sermons to help them make theological and ethical sense of the range of life’s issues.Listeners do not want the preacher to dumb down the sermon; rather, they want to wrestle meaningfully with important issues.Preachers ought to be specific in helping congregations draw out the implications of the BiblePreachers need to be lively when they embody the sermon

Existing Research

Lori Carrell, “Sermons Most Likely to Succeed,” Rev May/June (2007): 71-73.

52 Protestant pastors 5,000-plus listeners

Lori Carrell, "Sermons Most Likely to Succeed," Rev May/June (2007): 71-73.

Ask for Change: Sermons are built around a clearly stated change based goal that emanates from Scripture.Organized for Listening: Organization of ideas is key to the memory process.Well Delivered: Sermons are delivered in a way that authentically communicates relationship and emotion. Integrate Listeners’ Perspectives: Content is connected to the listeners. (The listeners describe this as “relevancy.”)

Australian Context?

Hussey, Ian. "The Other Side of the Pulpit: Listener’s Experiences of Helpful Preaching." Homiletic 39, no. 2 (2014). http://www.homiletic.net/index.php/homiletic/issue/view/199.

Methodology

Case study of superior preachingNCLS survey includes the following question:How often do you experience the following during

church services at this congregation?:23. Preaching very helpful to my life? (Always / Usually / Sometimes /Rarely or never)

Methodology

Selection was based on:Congregations being above the 90th percentile on the “preaching very helpful” question

More than 47% of people indicated “Always”

The rating on the preaching being higher than the rating on the other similar “How often do you experience the following during church services” questions.At least 50 forms returned.

Methodology

The composition of these “top 50” churches was:Anglican (Episcopalian) 18C3 (Christian City Church) 9Baptist 5Australian Christian Churches (Assembly of God) 3Uniting 3CRC Churches International 2Independent 2Lutheran 2Presbyterian 2Apostolic 1Christian Outreach Centers 1Churches of Christ1Vineyard Fellowship Australia 1

Methodology

15 churches responded6 were selectedAt each church:

Observed the worship services.Conducted one or two focus groups

“What adjectives would you use to describe the preaching at this church?”

Interviewed the major preacherSurvey

Methodology

Survey:19 factors suggested by:

Previous research Input from “experts” Contemporary theories

What, for you personally, is the most helpful part of the preaching at this church? (Please circle one):

• The content of the sermons• The character of the preacher• The power of the sermons

Methodology (Reflection)

The survey tended to identify divergencesThe focus groups tended to identify commonalities

Clayton Fopp

Trinity Mount Barker, Adelaide, South Australia.

Clayton Fopp

What was most helpful:The sermons give me a deeper understanding of the Bible (75% of respondents)The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives (50%)The sermons help make theological and ethical sense of the range of life‘s issues (45%)The sermons are well structured (36%)

Clayton Fopp

The preacher generally starts with a Bible passage and then explains and applies the meaningFocuses on only one passage from the BibleSpends more time explaining the Bible than applyingComes across as an expert in the BibleThe most helpful part of the preaching is the content of the sermon (92%)

David Mears

Minchinbury Anglican Church, Sydney, New South Wales

David Mears

Most helpful :The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives (75%)The sermons give me a deeper understanding of the Bible (73%)The sermons help make theological and ethical sense of the range of life’s issues (40%)The sermons wrestle meaningfully with difficult issues (40%)

Dave Mears

Generally starts with a Bible passage and then explains and applies the meaningFocuses on one passage from the BibleSpends more time explaining than applying the BibleComes across as an expert in the Bible The most helpful part is the content of the sermons (63%) and the power of the sermons (33%).

Joshua Cocks

Beaudesert Baptist Church, Queensland.

Josh Cocks

Most helpful in the preaching:The sermons give me a deeper understanding of the Bible (44%)The life of the preacher corresponds to what they preach (40%)The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives (40%)The preacher is passionate about his/her message (40%)

Josh Cocks

Generally starts with a Bible passage and then explains and applies the meaningSpends more time applying the Bible than explainingComes across as a fellow learner of the BibleContent of the sermons (38%), power of the sermons (36%) character of the preacher (27%)

Matthew Thiele

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Buderim, Queensland

Matt Thiele

Most helpful in the preaching :The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives (56%)The preacher is passionate about his message (44%)The preacher speaks from his own experience (38%)The sermons give me a deeper understanding of the Bible (33%)

Matt Thiele

Generally starts with a topic and then brings a Biblical perspective to itRefers to a variety of passages from the Bible Spends more time applying the Bible than explainingComes across as a fellow learner of the BibleContent of the sermons (46%), power of the sermons (37%)

John Iuliano

North Shore Christian Center, Sydney, New South Wales

John Iuliano

Most helpful in the preaching:The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives (79%)The preacher is passionate about his/her message (51%)The preacher moves in the Holy Spirit’s power (42%)The life of the preacher corresponds to what they preach (32%)

John Iuliano

Generally starts with a topic and then brings a biblical perspective to itRefers to a variety of passages from the BibleSpends more time applying the Bible than explainingComes across as an expert in the BiblePower of the sermons (45%), content of the sermons (43%)

Craig Anderson

Plenty Valley Church, Melbourne, Victoria

Craig Anderson

Most helpful in the preaching:The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives (66%)The preacher is passionate about his/her message (53%)The preacher speaks from his/her own experience (38%)The preacher moves in the Holy Spirit’s power (31%)

Craig Anderson

Generally starts with a topic and then brings a Biblical perspective to itRefers to a variety of passages from the BibleEqual experience as expert and fellow travelerEqual experience applying the Bible and explaining itPower of the sermons (56%) content (34%)

Commonalties

“The sermons relate in a practical way to our lives.”

Exposition and applicationApplication primary not afterthought

BiblicalRegardless of tradition

HumourSelf-depreciating

Commonalties

BoldnessNot afraid to “tackle the tough issues.”

Not “dumbed-down”30-35 minutes10-12 hours of preparation

StructureSimple but not simplistic

Commonalties

PassionateAbout the Bible and/or God

Multimedia, Induction and Interaction

Contrasts

Content Focus Preacher Focus

• “Deeper understanding”• Explanation• Full manuscript• Expositional

• “Powerful”• Application• Outline• Topical

Clayton Fopp

Dave Mears

Josh Cocks

Matt Thiele

John Iuliano

Craig Mathews

Conclusions

Know your context:“Does authority come from the careful exposition of the Bible text or from the Holy Spirit working through the preacher as she/he preaches the text?”Does inspiration occur primarily in the study or the pulpit?

Shape your context

Sermon Structures

Structures

Deductive - SkinnerScenes – Sweetman5-Point - Stanley

Deductive Structure

Thesis (Gospel Truth)Interrogative

How, why, when, where, who, which, what? Choose one that the passage best answers.

Each point answers the question

Deductive Structure

Psalm 23Gospel Truth: You can count on God.

Interrogative: When can you count on God?Points:

1. In tiring times (1-3a)

2. In testing times (3b)

3. In frightening times (4)

4. For all time (5-6)

Deductive Structure

Each point comes from the passage and is an answer to the interrogative. The points are succinct, timeless and parallel. The points are mutually exclusive.Put Bible verses at the end of each point.

Deductive Structure

Introduction

Explanation Illustration

Point 3 ConclusionPoint 3Point 1

Application

Structuring a Sermon in Scenes

Scenes

1. A sermon is composed of a number of 3-6 minute “scenes.” 2. Each scene forms a complete unit. It stands by itself. The

scene theme can be summarised in a sentence.3. Each scene can have a different form, content and context. 4. The sermon develops and progresses both through the

scenes and within each scene. 5. The first scene forms the introduction to the story and the

final scene forms the conclusion.

Scenes

6. The scenes are usually joined by invisible, logical developments that make sense to the listener.

7. Any scene may contain the resolution of the story, but often for the sake of maintaining tension it will be one of the final scenes.

8. The sermon keeps moving on. 9. The sermon is encapsulated in a summary of the

themes of the scenes.

Crafting scenes

Scenes can have any content but everything links with the summary of the scene – revolves around the central idea

Summary of the sceneRough sentence

Connected with previous scene

Write verses at the end of the sentences (where applicable)

The outline forms a logical story

No specific introduction or conclusion

Scenes sermon on 1 Sam. 17

S1 Like Israel, we all know what it's like to go through hard times 17:1-11S2 You see God uses tough times to take our spiritual temperatureS3 When God took Saul's spiritual temperature he came out bankrupt 17:11, 25, 38-39S4 But little David turned out to be the true spiritual champion 17:26-30, 32-37, 48-51 S5 Because he faced the pressure and trusted God to win the victory 17:41-47S6 When God takes your spiritual temperature you too can be a champion

Scenes sermon on 1 Sam. 17

1 Sam. 17S1 As David found, the enemies in our life can be defeated

S2 By refusing to be afraid (17:11,26)

S3 By remembering past victories (17:34-37)

S4 And by trusting in God (17:34-37)

S5 Come on, let's decapitate those enemies

Communicating for a Change

The Preaching Method of Andy Stanley

Principle 1: Determine Your Goal

There are three approaches to teaching adults:Teach the Bible to people Teach people the Bible Teach people how to live according to the Bible

Principle 1: Determine Your Goal

What is wrong with this rendition of the Great Commission?:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Principle 1: Determine Your Goal

What is wrong with this rendition of the Great Commission:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Principle 1: Determine Your Goal

James 1:22: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Principle 2: Pick a Point

The goal is life-change.

The point is the single area of life-change that we are seeking in this teaching

The One-Point Sermon

Principle 3: Create a Map

The Five Step Process:1. ME - Connection2. WE - Relevance3. GOD - Theology4. YOU – Application

“Baby steps in the right direction”

5. US - Inspiration

Principle 4: Internalise the Message

Before we can stand and deliver a message, we must own it:

“I find something very disingenuous about a speaker who says, ‘This is very, very important and then reads something from his notes. Constantly referring to notes communicates, 'I have not internalized this message. I want everyone else to internalize it, but I have not.’”

Principle 4: Internalise the Message

Preaching without notes?

The “One Thing”

How would you summarize the last message you preached?

(If you can’t remember it, how will they?)

Principle 5: Engage Your Audience

“Somewhere along the line we bought into the lie that good content was all we needed to engage an audience. Not so. We need both something to say and we need to say it well.”

Do you agree?

Principle 5: Engage Your Audience

Question, mystery & tensionCheck your speedSlow down on the curvesMake the text come aliveAdd something unexpected

Predictability is the death of learning

Take the most direct route

Principle 6: Find Your Voice

Develop your own style

“It is also important that you don't use your style as a cover up for boring. Boring is not a style. It is just boring. Confusing might be a style. But, it is still confusing. "Style" can be a combination of bad habits.”

Get a coach

Be your own coachVideo

Principle 7: Start All Over

When it doesn’t work... Step #1: Pray. Step #2: Five questions:

Question #1: What do they need to know? Question #2: Why do they need to know it? Question #3: What do they need to do? Question #4: Why do they need to do it? Question #5: What can I do to help them remember?

Questions or Comments?