Good sermon preacher: how the sermon is being heard by the people in the pews of Epworth United Methodist

André Resner

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Good sermon preacher: how the sermon is being heard by the people in the pews of Epworth United Methodist

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

André Resner. Good Sermon Preacher: How the Sermon Is Being Heard by the People In the Pews of Epworth United Methodist. Hood Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/b2a5bff8-2a9e-489e-a966-986b6477fa17.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

A. Resner. Good sermon preacher: how the sermon is being heard by the people in the pews of Epworth United Methodist. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/b2a5bff8-2a9e-489e-a966-986b6477fa17

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

André Resner. Good Sermon Preacher: How the Sermon Is Being Heard by the People In the Pews of Epworth United Methodist. Hood Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/b2a5bff8-2a9e-489e-a966-986b6477fa17.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

André Resner

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Abstract

The objective of this doctoral project is to establish and identify reasons why a sermon can be heard in many different ways within the context of Christian ministry. Centuries of interpretation and development of various core beliefs about what makes a good sermon by both preachers and hearers, has led to what Andre Resner calls a virtual stalemate between the message and hearer-driven sermon. Using Leonora Tisdale's methodology of congregational exegesis to break through the stalemate, we have a test for the relevancy of preaching. Eric Reed, Ronald J. Allen, and Mark Allan Powell's study of multiple congregations reveal a wider range of information for comparison of how listeners experience preaching. Three results were clear. First, there is a conflict between the message and hearer-driven sermon on the local level that may be resolved by a more balanced approach we may call the ecclesial-driven sermon. The ecclesial-driven sermon may be traced back to Augustine's On Christian doctrine considered the first instructional book on homiletics for Christian ministry. Second, Tisdale's congregational exegesis approach helped define the ecclesial context of the subject church. The information gathered from those listening to sermons in this ecclesial context show a perceived improvement in the exegetical-interpretive skills of the pastor, the listening skills of the congregation, and in some cases both. Third, although the perception of improvement was clearly identified through the parameters of the project, the long-term effect of the ecclesial-driven sermon using Tisdale's methodology requires continued study and attention.

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