PT 218 EIGHT STEPS TO EFFECTIVE PREACHING Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D. PT 218 EIGHT STEPS TO EFFECTIVE PREACHING Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D.

EXEGETICAL The first step to sermon preparation is always the careful exegesis of the biblical text. This is what the 8 L approach is designed to accomplish.

EVANGELICAL This word points us back to the doctrines of the Great Awakening and the Protestant Reformation. That means personal salvation, the authority of scripture, global evangelism, and lives marked by personal piety. It does not mean 21 st century political claims about school prayer, abortion, human sexuality, and claims about the role of government. Our preaching should be evangelical in the traditional sense of the word. T T

ENVIRONMENTAL What is the context in which the sermon is being preached? Denominational Worship style Socio-political perspective(s) Length of sermon and length of service Sound system and acoustics Climate and comfort issues (too hot or too cold?) Seasoned believers – seekers – disconnected He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (Isaiah 40: 11) the pastor as shepherd seeking to feed all the sheep as each has need. Denominational Worship style Socio-political perspective(s) Length of sermon and length of service Sound system and acoustics Climate and comfort issues (too hot or too cold?) Seasoned believers – seekers – disconnected He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (Isaiah 40: 11) the pastor as shepherd seeking to feed all the sheep as each has need.

EVOCATIVE Preaching should always be done with a desired outcome or goal in mind. The preacher should have an idea of what he/she hopes the hearers will do after they have heard the sermon. Hearing should lead to heeding as in Deuteronomy 6: 4. Preaching should always be done with a desired outcome or goal in mind. The preacher should have an idea of what he/she hopes the hearers will do after they have heard the sermon. Hearing should lead to heeding as in Deuteronomy 6: 4. Kindle the mind think or reconsider Energize the will motivate toward action Disturb the conscience seek repentance or a dramatic change in conduct or attitude. Stir the heart provide reasons to rejoice even when it may seem as if there are no reasons. Kindle the mind think or reconsider Energize the will motivate toward action Disturb the conscience seek repentance or a dramatic change in conduct or attitude. Stir the heart provide reasons to rejoice even when it may seem as if there are no reasons.

EMOTIONAL Preaching is an act that should be done with an amount of passion that is appropriate for the person and the subject matter at hand. If the material does not appear to be interesting and important to the preacher there is little chance of making it appear interesting and important to the listeners. Preaching involves all of the techniques of the best of oral communication: Preaching is an act that should be done with an amount of passion that is appropriate for the person and the subject matter at hand. If the material does not appear to be interesting and important to the preacher there is little chance of making it appear interesting and important to the listeners. Preaching involves all of the techniques of the best of oral communication: Pitch – the high and low tones used in speaking Pace – the variation in the speed at which one speaks Pause – the use of deliberate breaks in speaking to allow for ideas to be heard and for transitions in the sermon to occur Volume – the movement from loud to soft and all the levels in between These variables are the keys to effective oral communication as well as orchestral and vocal music Pitch – the high and low tones used in speaking Pace – the variation in the speed at which one speaks Pause – the use of deliberate breaks in speaking to allow for ideas to be heard and for transitions in the sermon to occur Volume – the movement from loud to soft and all the levels in between These variables are the keys to effective oral communication as well as orchestral and vocal music

EXPERIENTIAL Preaching should be done with a prudent use of the struggles of the preacher with the issues being discussed in the text. Your salvation story is as important as that of others. There are pitfalls to be avoided: Use yourself as a mirror and never as a model for matters of righteousness Tell the truth about your own life Reveal only as much “dirt” as you think is necessary to make the point Help the listeners to know that sin is “your” problem as much as theirs Use yourself as a mirror and never as a model for matters of righteousness Tell the truth about your own life Reveal only as much “dirt” as you think is necessary to make the point Help the listeners to know that sin is “your” problem as much as theirs

EPIGRAMMATICAL Make your preaching appeal to more than the brain. Provide images that can be seen, sounds that can be heard and passions that can be sensed and understood. 1.How did the manger smell on the night Christ was born? 2.What things might the apostles felt and seen when caught in a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee? 3.What was life like for a leper in ancient Israel? 1.How did the manger smell on the night Christ was born? 2.What things might the apostles felt and seen when caught in a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee? 3.What was life like for a leper in ancient Israel? This is the art of biblical storytelling or narrative preaching, and it can be done either from a biographical (third person) perspective or an autobiographical (first person perspective.

ETHICAL Sermons should never be used to support something that is contrary to the teachings of scripture. We must always point people toward Christ and toward conformity with the teachings of the Bible. We cannot urge people to do something that we ourselves remain unwilling to do: Sermons should never be used to support something that is contrary to the teachings of scripture. We must always point people toward Christ and toward conformity with the teachings of the Bible. We cannot urge people to do something that we ourselves remain unwilling to do: Tithe Turn the other cheek Love our enemies and forgive those who have offended us Establish a life of spiritual disciplines Live by the highest possible moral and ethical standards Tithe Turn the other cheek Love our enemies and forgive those who have offended us Establish a life of spiritual disciplines Live by the highest possible moral and ethical standards