Now 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.
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Clergy Couples in the 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.
Aphorisms and Hesitation
Henry 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.”
Black Preacher as a Student of Words
In 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?
Slow Delivery and Repetition
As 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.
Sizzling 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.
More 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.
Preaching 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.
New 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
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.
Somebody’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.
Weary 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.
Black 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.