The Church Times has an article on a new guide, issued with a view to improving homiletic effectiveness, published by a body that calls itself the College of Preachers. Discouraging. Few churchgoers would deny that preaching can stand improvement, but most of us would argue that the problem is not in the delivery, but in the fact that the preacher has absolutely nothing to say. That makes the emphasis on Rotarian-style "effectiveness" and communication skills all the more beside the point.
Preachers should be open to discussion of their sermons, and should check with experts in their community when referring to technical subjects outside their expertise, a brief guide issued by the College of Preachers suggests. ... Paul Jones, director of the College of Preachers, said on Monday: "For serious-minded preachers who want to test the effectiveness of their sermons, the only way is to ask. Churchgoers should be able to discuss with the preacher the sermon --
In part, that's what blogs are for, Doctor Jones.
-- otherwise it can be words left hanging in the air. The sermon is a dialogue. If the sermon has technical content, say, on climate change or genetic engineering, it would be good to pick up information from experts in the congregation."
If the sermon has technical content on climate change or genetic engineering, the preacher should be beaten (moderately, with a view to brotherly correction) and a Christian desirous of strengthening the Faith should be installed in his place.
Posted by: Diogenes - May. 08, 2007 10:16 AM ET USA
3 comments:
Amen to that!
Lol!
But I do disagree - I think effectiveness these days is tied to communication skills, and it’s why I believe you are incredibly successful at reaching so many people. W/out the communication skills or presentation skills, your message, no matter how compelling, could be lost on most people. You regularly pepper your homilies with word originations and multiple examples from scholars, experts, and philosophers which aid your points and expand our knowledge at the same time. While it helps, it’s not those things that make your homilies effective at least in my mind. Its the visible passion you have for what you do and the joy you take in helping us learn/teaching us how to be better Christians and apply the word to our lives. It’s the intonations in your voice that draw attention to key points and ideas. It’s the organization of your homily - how you set expectations for us - i.e., there will be three points. It’s the fact that you move around and make eye contact and don't stand behind the lectern. It’s all those things that draw us in to not just listen to you but really hear you. I've been going to church my whole life and only since I've been at St Cyril do I regularly discuss what I've just heard or learned w/friends and family after attending mass. Talk about effective.
I've always liked that Saint Francis of Assisi quote "Preach always, if necessary use words."
I think kindness alone can speak volumes. In a world where you are constantly bombarded by loud voices, sometimes you just need a quiet shoulder to lean on.
But some can speak many words about a simple message and there is a certain 'quietude' about it I think....and I do feel that quietude in Fr. Mario's many words. ;-) Thankyou for reminding us that even you sometimes want to hide out in a cave and only very briefly raise your head to utter a few profound words. That speaks to me. I think to myself, if he can force himself to come preach to this church that he sometimes wants to blow up, then I can at least attend and listen.
Maybe the Holy Spirit in us prays in groans beyond words because the words sometimes annoy the Spirit because they cannot possibly contain all of the possible human emotions? I wonder....hmmmmm.... oh well ....... back to my painting.
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