'Circle-Style Preaching'  To Empower The Voice Of The Congregation On The Pathway To Racial Justice And Reconciliation

Vincent R Nyman

Etd

'Circle-Style Preaching' To Empower The Voice Of The Congregation On The Pathway To Racial Justice And Reconciliation

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Vincent R Nyman. 'circle-style Preaching' To Empower The Voice Of The Congregation On The Pathway To Racial Justice And Reconciliation. Aquinas Institute of Theology. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/f882dde8-839e-43aa-93b8-f9a7fed1ccff.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

V. R. Nyman. 'Circle-Style Preaching' To Empower The Voice Of The Congregation On The Pathway To Racial Justice And Reconciliation. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/f882dde8-839e-43aa-93b8-f9a7fed1ccff

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Vincent R Nyman. 'circle-Style Preaching' To Empower The Voice Of The Congregation On The Pathway To Racial Justice And Reconciliation. Aquinas Institute of Theology. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/f882dde8-839e-43aa-93b8-f9a7fed1ccff.

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

Creator

Vincent R Nyman

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

This study considers a style of preaching appropriate for a culturally diverse congregation situated in an impoverished urban setting. Recognizing that there are many facets to preaching, i.e., preacher's persona and theological skill-set, this study attempts to settle on a localized operative theology of preaching. A preacher's operative theology involves the preacher's specific influences that shape his/her preaching. Some of these influences stem deep in the historical past, particularly to the Enlightenment, and eventually splintering in various directions. Yet, there are contemporary emphases that can dictate a preaching style, emphases that energetically affect congregations along the spiritual pathways of healing, liberation and reconciliation. This localized operative theology of preaching finds restorative justice programs as an agreeable partner. Restorative justice, as an aboriginal cultural contribution, stands against Western-style notions of justice, especially intent on punishment for offenses. Restorative justice programs, assuming the form of a Circle model of dialogue, are designed to help participants heal and empower each other. Circles are founded on the principle that social wounds are not isolated events. This idea that crimes are connected to systemic problems characterizes a shift that leads to greater community responsibility in the healing process. The mutuality regarding the partnership between preaching and Circle models involves a pedagogical strategy in that both ministries reinforce each other. Circles could continue the preaching conversation, empower a congregational preaching voice, help connect the preacher and the congregation, shape a communal theological reflection, help concretize theology, and help dismantle alienating ideologies by encouraging authentic feeling and positive values. This Circle resource prevents an individualist pedagogy in regard to preaching in favor of the team concept. In this team concept, the congregation helps shape the persona and theology of the preacher, while the preacher's focus concerns the authentic 'preaching' voice of the congregation.

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