wfn.org | Clergy learn 'road-tested' points about preaching

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Jan. 18, 2000 News media contact: Linda Green·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.
10-31-71B{018}

NOTE: This report may be used as a sidebar to UMNS story #017.

DALLAS (UMNS) - Clergy attending a four-day convocation for pastors of
African-American churches received eight "road-tested" lessons on preaching
and ministry.  

The Rev. Zan Holmes, pastor of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in
Dallas, presented the points during a Jan. 10 plenary session on preaching
authority. Holmes is a revered mentor for many African-American United
Methodist clergy members and is also an adjunct professor of preaching at
United Methodist-related Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist
University in Dallas.

The eight road-tested points:

·	In the eyes of the congregation, especially in the eyes of the black
church, the primary function of the pastor is to preach. Pastors have other
functions, too, Holmes noted. Before preachers can become the pastors God
wants them to be, they must let go of the image of the preacher that God
does not want them to be.  
	
·	Pastors must not be guilty of the sin of "homiletical arrogance."
"Every pastor can learn something from any preacher."
	
·	Pastors must realize that authentic preaching is grounded in a
disciplined and devotional life. "It will change your entire understanding
of what preaching is all about." Holmes noted that his sermon preparation is
to sit before the Word and let the Word happen for him. "I ask, 'Lord, what
do you have in the text for me that is your Word?' ...We cannot forget that
pastors are sinners too."
	
·	Preaching is most effective when the preacher and the congregation
are grounded in the authority of the Bible. "Having the Bible at the center
of life in the church makes a tremendous difference."
	
·	There must be a vital connection between preaching and worship. "It
has made a difference in my preaching because the sermon topic is the call
to worship," Holmes said. "I've learned how to worship (and) I've learned
the value of a well-planned worship service and the value of participating
in the worship life with the laity." 
	
·	Authentic preaching must be connected to a vision that declares both
the gift and the demand of gospel. "It is easy to fall into the trap of
preaching on one side of the gospel," he said. "You must preach it all."
	
·	The invitation to Christian discipleship is a proper part of the
sermon itself and should not be something tacked on at the end.
	
·	Preaching is a cooperative effort between the pulpit and the pew.
"This is the first business of preaching," he said. "God never intended for
the preacher to bear the whole burden by himself or herself."

When pastors are open to the assistance that comes from the pew and from the
Holy Spirit, "preaching becomes authentic," Holmes said. "Preaching is a
gift."

# # #

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org