Author: Sherman Haywood Cox II
Black Preaching Style – Call and Response
Call and Response is one of the central components of Black preaching. The congregational participation is so important that many preachers subconsciously pause to leave room for the congregation to respond.
Black Preaching Style – Call and Response Read MoreBlack Preaching Style – Rhythm and Cadence
Black preachers sometimes use the sound of words to make a rhythm. Sometimes this might be a pause for breath. Sometimes the very taking of the breath will make a noise that is a part of the rhythm. Sometimes even the organist joins in with the rhythm.
Black Preaching Style – Rhythm and Cadence Read MoreSizzling Sermon Titles?
Brian Mavis has an article up on sermon title creation at this link. Mavis illustrates the importance of title by noting that the same book under different titles have had much different sales figures. Titles are very important. With that in mind one wonders why so little is written in homiletics texts on this subject. While I am by no means an expert, i have written on the subject in a few posts on this particular site.
Sizzling Sermon Titles? Read MoreMore on Whooping – Use of Tone
Mitchell’s second characteristic of Black preaching is the use of tone. This includes “whooping” but also many forms of intonation and tuning. Mitchell notes that many use this in the “celebration” of the sermon which should be connected to the content of the sermon.
More on Whooping – Use of Tone Read MoreMannerisms in Preaching
Now I am going to begin a series of posts on Black Preaching style. This will go on for a while often interrupted by other posts. In this first one I look at Mannerisms that Henry Mitchell describes in his book Black Preaching: The Recovery of a Powerful Art.
Mannerisms in Preaching Read MorePreaching Themes in Black Churches
The Interdenominational Theological Center coordinated a survey of African American churches and found that Black churches reach out to the community in “addressing social needs, such as assistance to families, youth programs, food distribution and other outreach services.”
What was of interest is that the survey confirmed the presuppositions of some of those who presented the survey, namely that the Black church emphasizes the community aspect of Christianity more than other traditions.
Preaching Themes in Black Churches Read MoreNew Resource Available – You Can Preach!
Download this free ebook That provides:
- Three simple ways to finding a text to preach
- A 3-step method to interpreting the scripture for preaching
- Find a purpose to your sermon
- A simple technique to finding a sermon title.
- The truth about Ending the sermon well
New Resource Available – You Can Preach! Read More
Bishop G. E. Patterson – Rest in Peace
The presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ died on March 20, 2007. You can find information on his wikipedia entry. Here is a slideshow if a few pictures. Here is a myspace page that someone has put up in his honor.
Bishop G. E. Patterson – Rest in Peace Read MoreSomebody’s Calling My Name – Review
Walker provides a glimpse into the characteristics and importance of music to African Americans. It is her contention that music, preaching, and praying are all fundamentals to helping the African American survive in this land. There are a few very helpful and interesting assertions.
Somebody’s Calling My Name – Review Read MoreWeary Throats and New Songs
Teresa Frye Brown’s musical ministry forms a background for her application of music a metaphor to the preaching moment. In the book she interviews numerous preaching sistas and uses categories from her homiletics courses to structure the data that she found in the interviews.
Weary Throats and New Songs Read MoreBlack Church Spotlight – Frederick D. Haynes III and Friendship-West Baptist Church
The Reverand Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III is the pastor of the Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas Texas. At their website you will find a link to their streaming faith page with a number of Video sermons.
Black Church Spotlight – Frederick D. Haynes III and Friendship-West Baptist Church Read MoreA Day in the Life of a Black Church
Jason Miccolo Johnson has authored the powerful book Soul Sanctuary: Images of the African American Worship Experience. This is a picture of images of the Black Church. The images are over a full worship service.
A Day in the Life of a Black Church Read MoreBlack Bible Reading Through the Years
Vincent Wimbush provides a history of African American interaction with the Bible in his book The Bible and African Americans. The Bible has often been held in high esteem by Black Americans and thus it is interesting to look at how this came to be.
Black Bible Reading Through the Years Read More