What The Blues Teaches Us About Preaching
“An Increase in the Number of African American Megachurches” is the fifth trend that Martha Simmons wrote about in the African American Pulpit Spring Edition of 2007.
The Mega Church Phenomenon and the Black Church Read MoreI must admit that I am impressed by these brothers at Reformed Blacks of America. They are seeking to push African Americans in that movement to apply the Gospel to their own context and not simply regurgitate the pre-packaged presentations of our white colleagues.
I would encourage you to read the whole entry, but of special interest are the 4 traits of Radical Reformed Churches.
Articulating the Gospel – Beyond Regurgitation Read MoreHarvard Divinity School has a video lecture of Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. on the Subject Tillich and the Black Preacher.
Tillich and the Black Preacher Read More
Webb’s basic thesis is that the best preaching is done without notes. He then precedes to give an example of how he puts his sermons together week after week. Webb attempts to prove that preaching without notes is more valuable in general because it allows a greater connection to the audience and it frees the preacher to be passionate. Then after defending the approach, Webb describes the approach in a day by day approach.
Book Summary: Preaching Without Notes Webb Read MoreJoseph Webb stated that passion is more important than eloquence in his book Preaching Without Notes. I heard a preacher who is pretty effective with a full manuscript. A few weeks ago he preached a sermon that moved many people. However, today he preached a sermon completely without notes. He did have more passion than normal. He also moved around and had better eye contact with the people. But, his sermon had some major structural problems.
Notes or No Notes…What is important? Read More
How do they do it? All of us have seen the ministers preaching without notes. They seem to show a confidence and power. But the question many preacher’s ask is how do they do it?
Options for Preaching without Notes Read MoreThe Reformed Blacks of America Blog has a post up on the community of care created by Alcoholics Anonymous groups. One seminary student said to the author:
Alcoholics Anonymous or Church – Where is the Community? Read More“Michael, I felt more accepted and received amongst that group of individuals than I do my own church family.â€Â
The very interesting Blog Unashamed Workman has a post up on systematic sermon listening. The author notes that he listens to a lot of sermons, but has not systematically listened to sermons. Now he has compiled a list of sermons that will take him all the way through the Book of Genesis.
Systematic Sermon Listening Read More“Higher Compensation for Musicians” is the third trend that Martha Simmons wrote about in the African American Pulpit Spring Edition of 2007.
Is Your Church Musician Being Paid? Read MoreNow we continue our look in the I would encourage all to subscribe to the African American Pulpit Spring Edition of 2007. As noted before, that issue is dedicated to discussing 21 trends in the contemporary Black church.
I would encourage all to subscribe to the African American Pulpit and especially purchase the Spring Edition of 2007. That issue is dedicated to discussing 21 trends in the contemporary Black church.
Clergy Couples in the Black Church Read MoreHenry Mitchell notes that these two features of Black Preaching Style are not as dominant as other ones. Mitchell notes that aphorisms are common in all traditions of preaching, but aphorisms or “clever, pithy statements.”
Aphorisms and Hesitation Read MoreIn the Class Preaching in the Black Tradition, I saw one of my classmates, Rev. John Cox, with a hand held computer. I saw he had a hand held Bible in one hand and one of those computers in the other. He was punching things into it. I asked him after class, what is that computer?
Black Preacher as a Student of Words Read MoreAs we continue our series on Black Preaching Style, Henry Mitchell notes that a slower rate of vocal speed is usually used when presenting Black sermons. He notes that there are those who do have rapid fire delivery. Dr. Frederick D.
Slow Delivery and Repetition Read More