What The Blues Teaches Us About Preaching
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 MoreBrian 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 MoreMitchell’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 MoreThe 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 More
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 MoreWalker 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 MoreTeresa 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 MoreThe 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 MoreJason 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 More