Homiletics

You have grappled with understanding the message and discerning the needs of the congregation. You have given thought to the goal of the sermon. Now it is time to construct the main body of the sermon.  

When members leave after a divine service, what is it that they take home with them? Is the sermon already forgotten when they exit the gate? Or was there a clear goal or purpose shaping the sermon?

Once the minister has read the Divine Service Guide article and considered its main message and how it might relate to the congregation, it is time to explore the Bible text. 

Before something can be said, it needs to be understood. From now on, the series will show how ministers can study and lay open the main message, grasp the deeper meaning, and then deliver it in such a way that it touches people’s hearts.

Today’s young people are born into a world overflowing with choices and one that is shaped by change. To reach them requires genuine interest, ongoing engagement, and a finely tuned pastoral skillset. 

In Africa, especially south of the Sahara, preaching works differently than in the West. A different developmental history and traditional cultural values require a unique approach.

Tailoring one’s preaching to the specific thinking and needs of the respective congregation … Already the early Apostles did this. To this end, the preacher must understand the world of the listeners. Let us first take a look at the Western world. 

Ministers have received authority to preach the gospel, but that message is delivered in various contexts. Our sermons need to meet the members where they are.

It is often said that ministers are a source of blessing. But what does this truly mean What is my role as a preacher, and what impact can I have when proclaiming God’s word? In other words, how can I be a source of blessing?

What are my sources of inspiration as a preacher? What breathes life into my sermon preparation and delivery? Join us on a journey of discovery.

Proclaiming God's word at the altar – that raises questions. At the top of the list: Where does my ministerial authority to preach come from? How do I understand myself as one ordained by the Apostle ministry?

Many have genuine concerns when it comes to mixing preaching and science. But it is worth taking a closer look. Because homiletics is not as foreign as it sounds. Here is the part one of a series.