Preaching Sermons/Hearing Sermons: The Role(s) of Perspectives and Personalities

Download or read book Preaching Sermons/Hearing Sermons: The Role(s) of Perspectives and Personalities written by Rita Sims and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This project explores the concept that both the way parishioners hear sermons and the way preachers preach are influenced by their own perspectives and personalities. Based on several analyses of the two congregations where I serve, including the use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the incorporation of background reading on the role of rhetoric, and personality and perpectives in the Bible, theology and preaching, sermons were developed with specific personality types in mind to determine whether this enabled more meaningful preaching and greater hearing of the gospel. Congregants were encouraged to evaluate and respond to the sermons. An analysis and interpretation of their responses led to mixed conclusions: personality types do not always respond best to sermons specifically constructed with their types in mind; and it could be that perspective has more of a bearing on hearing sermons than personality. Nonetheless, it is clear that both preacher and congregations do respond positively when a concern for the different personalities and perspectives in a congregation are carefully considered.