This web site is devoted to helping pastors develop their skills in writing and delivering sermons. The following pages explain a system called "Process Preaching." The system sees the preaching process as having three parts, the purpose process, the writing process, and the delivery process. The principle contributions of the Process Preaching system are in the areas of purpose and delivery. The goal of Process Preaching is to help pastors write well-focused sermons that are delivered with passion and power. This system is meant to build on the sermon-writing skill that pastors already possess. If this web site sparks your interest in Process Preaching, you can receive more information by calling 952-941-1251 or by E-Mailing me at jerlarson@visi.com.
Rev. Jerome F. Larson
|| Meet the Author || Process #1 (Purpose) || Process #2 (Writing) || Process #3 (Delivery) || Back to the Calvary Lutheran Church home page ||
Process Preaching differs from other methods of preaching in that the process of creation overlaps the process of presentation. Pastors using the Process Preaching system build their sermons prior to presentation, but they choose their exact words during the act of speaking, just as we all do when we converse. (Most Pastors already do this when they teach classes or deliver children's sermons.)
Process Preaching begins by defining a clear purpose for the sermon. After the purpose is selected a manuscript or a very elaborate outline is written. Following the writing process, the preacher will run-through the sermon several times. Although a manuscript or notes are used as a guide during the run through process, the pastor does not freeze his/her language by reading or memorizing the manuscript text. Instead, the final verbal expression of ideas is left to the moment of delivery and will be a unique combination of all the run-throughs.
WHY PROCESS PREACHING?
1. SERMONS ARE MORE ENGAGING -
Process Preaching eliminates the reading or memorizing of sermons. For this reason, Process Preaching is a much more engaging way to communicate.
2. EVERYTHING WORKS TOGETHER -
Process Preaching unites the body, mind, and spirit. When we read a written text, only part of our being is involved. When we speak freely, our body, our mind, and our spirit all work together in harmony. This has a powerful effect upon our listeners. ( For example, when we read, gestures do not come naturally. However, when we speak freely, gestures have a tendency to flow out of us easily.)
3. NO NONSENSE PREACHING -
Process Preaching requires having a very clear focus for the sermon. When a manuscript is written and then read from the pulpit, a sermon may contain things that don't always "follow" or make good sense. When the preacher uses the Process System of delivery, it is necessary for the sermon to make good sense and to follow a logical progression. When we are speaking freely, our brains won't let us speak fluently unless things make logical sense. In the Process Preaching system it is during the process of running through the sermon that the preacher is able to tell if the sermon is making good sense.
4. SERMONS CAN STILL BE CAREFULLY CRAFTED -
Because the Process Preacher has prepared a careful outline or manuscript and has run through the sermon many times, there is good opportunity for practicing the craft of sermon preparation. Everything a preacher knows about writing a sermon can be used in this new way of doing things. It is erroneous to think that delivering a sermon in this way is just "winging it" By carefully preparing their sermons, Process Preachers do not revert to pat phrases or use the same old jargon.
5. BECAUSE IT'S NOT THAT HARD -
Like so many things in life the hardest part of Process Preaching is working up the courage to try it. The good news is that long before you are an accomplished Process Preacher your sermons take on so much new life that it is well worth making the change from reading a manuscript. Once you have mastered some very simple techniques, you will find that preparing sermons in this way is actually easier and less time consuming. (The reasons for this become more apparent as you work through Process #1 and #3 of the Process Preaching system.)
It is not that difficult to preach freely without reading a sermon manuscript. The Process Preaching system helps us get on the road to freedom and away from the normal fears connected with public speaking.
BEGIN WITH THE TEXT
The Process Preaching highway can only be traveled after regular text work has been completed. The text for a given Sunday is where the trip begins. In this regard Process preaching does not differ from other ways of preaching. This is because the source of every sermon is a Biblical text. After all regular text work has been completed, the trip on the Process Preaching highway continues with the following 3 steps.
1. DECIDE ON A DESTINATION - (Process #1)
The next step is to decide upon a destination. Every wise traveler decides upon a destination before going out and just traveling around aimlessly. Aimless travel can be exciting and pleasurable at times but in the world of preaching it can be very disconcerting for both the driver (in this case the Pastor) and the passengers (congregation). Process #1 in the Process Preaching model is devoted to identifying a destination for a sermon. This destination is the sermon's purpose and in Process #1 the preacher learns how to write focused purpose statements for sermons.
2. WRITE THE SERMON - Process #2
Once a destination has been decided upon, the sermon is written (process # 2) in whatever way the pastor feels most comfortable. Usually a full manuscript or very elaborate notes are written. Because the words on the page will not be the exact words that are spoken during the presentation of the sermon, less time is spent on writing the manuscript. (It is not necessary to proof and reproof this document as you would a written message.) This is the stage where every course and every thing a pastor has learned about writing sermons can be put to good use. The only difference is that because the purpose for the sermon is clear, it is easier to complete this process in a timely manner.
3. RUN THROUGH THE SERMON ORALLY - (Process#3)
The process of running through the sermon is Process #3 of the Process Preaching model. During this process the preacher goes to the room in which he will be delivering the sermon or one similar to it and begins to speak the sermon out loud. The first time through this process the manuscript may be relied upon quite heavily, but after a few run throughs, the preacher is able to speak the sermon freely without looking at the notes.
If there is a secret to Process Preaching, it is the practice of running through the sermon. Without real devotion to mastering this process you can not be a process preacher.
In the classical definition of preaching there are three ways of delivering a sermon. The following is an adapted version of the description of these three modes of preaching as it appeared in my speech class text book in college. This is taken from; "Fundamentals of Public Speaking" by Donald C. Bryant and Karl R. Wallace. 1960. Even though this was written in the 60's it is as true for speaking and preaching today as it was when it was first written. These are truly classic definitions.
*THE FIXED TEXT MODE: In this mode of preaching the preacher writes out a full manuscript. He/she then reads aloud this written text or reproduces the text word for word from memory.
*IMPROMPTU MODE: In this mode of preaching the preacher is asked or is prompted for some reason to preach on the spur of the moment. He/she has had little chance to prepare for this preaching assignment. Or if some preparation has been made it is extremely limited. (Some preaching today is done in a modified impromptu mode when preachers study a text, think about some possible illustrations of the text, and then stand up with an open Bible and preach as the spirit moves them.)
*EXTEMPORANEOUS MODE: In the extemporaneous mode of preaching, the delivery of the sermon is quite different from both fixed text and impromptu mode. (The Process Preaching system is based on the extemporaneous mode of delivery.) In this mode preachers build their compositions prior to presentation, but they coin their language in the act of preaching. Their preparation is often very extensive and painstaking. As a rule, it entails the making of an outline, sometimes the writing of the entire sermon, and much oral rehearsal. Yet the final expression of ideas, the preacher leaves to the occasion, because he/she knows that if he/she is not chained to a fixed sequence of words he/she can stop to restate an idea, add an illustration or comparison, or define an ambiguous phrase. Thus the extemperaneous preacher, sensitive to the immediate responses of the congregation, does not freeze his/her language prior to delivery. The sermon is given its final form during the act of preaching. *****************
This completes the introduction to Process Preaching. Please go to (Process #1) to get started down the Process Preaching Highway.
|| Meet the Author || Process #1 (Purpose) || Process #2 (Writing) || Process #3 (Delivery) || Back to the Calvary Lutheran Church home page ||