Some Sermon Structures

Plain Style A response to the complex, rhetorically-structured preaching of the post-Reformation era. A return to the simplicity of Calvin and his immediate heirs in reaction (mostly) to preaching in the Church of England at its Highest. A response to the complex, rhetorically-structured preaching of the post-Reformation era. A return to the simplicity of Calvin and his immediate heirs in reaction (mostly) to preaching in the Church of England at its Highest. Development of this style commonly ascribed to the Puritans, but it also developed among Evangelical and Low-Church Anglicans and other Protestants. Development of this style commonly ascribed to the Puritans, but it also developed among Evangelical and Low-Church Anglicans and other Protestants. Most influential in North American Protestantism until the early twentieth century. Most influential in North American Protestantism until the early twentieth century.

Plain Style Introduction: Story, statement, or question that captures the congregation’s interest. May summarize the text or hint at the direction of the sermon. (5-10%) Introduction: Story, statement, or question that captures the congregation’s interest. May summarize the text or hint at the direction of the sermon. (5-10%) Statement of Direction / Thesis Statement: Revealing direction of the sermon. If text summarized in Introduction, connection / identification with congregation here. (<5%) Statement of Direction / Thesis Statement: Revealing direction of the sermon. If text summarized in Introduction, connection / identification with congregation here. (<5%) Exposition of Text, Doctrine, or Practice: This is where the preacher’s exegesis or study of the doctrine or practice is related. Not a comprehensive exegesis or detailed report of study. The preacher chooses what to offer in service of the sermon’s thesis / direction. (20- 30%+) Exposition of Text, Doctrine, or Practice: This is where the preacher’s exegesis or study of the doctrine or practice is related. Not a comprehensive exegesis or detailed report of study. The preacher chooses what to offer in service of the sermon’s thesis / direction. (20- 30%+)

Plain Style Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis (20-30% if not covered in preceding section): What is the positive witness of the sermon? What can we believe about this text, doctrine, or practice? The preacher makes an initial connection with the congregation’s situation. Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis (20-30% if not covered in preceding section): What is the positive witness of the sermon? What can we believe about this text, doctrine, or practice? The preacher makes an initial connection with the congregation’s situation. Application: The preacher makes direct connections with the congregation’s situation. Often a story or two illustrate the truth and applicability of the message. (20- 30% if the preceding section was present, 30-40% if the preceding section was folded into the Exposition) Application: The preacher makes direct connections with the congregation’s situation. Often a story or two illustrate the truth and applicability of the message. (20- 30% if the preceding section was present, 30-40% if the preceding section was folded into the Exposition) Ending: Encouragement to act, call to devotion, opening for reflection, invitation to respond. (5-10%) Ending: Encouragement to act, call to devotion, opening for reflection, invitation to respond. (5-10%)

The Good Samaritan in Plain Style Introduction: Familiarity of story or What “Good Samaritan” means today, or example of person called “Good Samaritan.” Introduction: Familiarity of story or What “Good Samaritan” means today, or example of person called “Good Samaritan.” Statement of Direction: “We agree it’s good to act like the Good Samaritan. How do we do it? If we look (again) at the story we’ll see being a Good Samaritan is more than just doing certain things. It’s a way of being.” Statement of Direction: “We agree it’s good to act like the Good Samaritan. How do we do it? If we look (again) at the story we’ll see being a Good Samaritan is more than just doing certain things. It’s a way of being.” Exposition: Working through the text, presenting relevant detail to illuminate character and actions of Lawyer, Priest, and Levite. Telling what Jesus’ people thought of Samaritans (and vice versa). Highlighting the shock value of Jesus’ words “But a Samaritan...” Exposition: Working through the text, presenting relevant detail to illuminate character and actions of Lawyer, Priest, and Levite. Telling what Jesus’ people thought of Samaritans (and vice versa). Highlighting the shock value of Jesus’ words “But a Samaritan...”

The Good Samaritan in Plain Style Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis: Focus on what it means to be faithful / obedient to God: Lawyer’s concern for requirements of life in covenant; Priest’s and Levite’s concern with ritual purity and status in community; Samaritan simply “moved with pity in his guts.” Love as fulfillment of Law. Compassion as God’s action. Theological and Hermeneutical Analysis: Focus on what it means to be faithful / obedient to God: Lawyer’s concern for requirements of life in covenant; Priest’s and Levite’s concern with ritual purity and status in community; Samaritan simply “moved with pity in his guts.” Love as fulfillment of Law. Compassion as God’s action. Application: Example of a situation where the creative, compassionate response broke rules but was the right thing to do. Examples of situations that challenge us today, and how we might shape a compassionate response. Application: Example of a situation where the creative, compassionate response broke rules but was the right thing to do. Examples of situations that challenge us today, and how we might shape a compassionate response. Ending: Encouragement to be neighbours who don’t count the cost. Raising possibility that neighbour love we need may come from unexpected sources. Ending: Encouragement to be neighbours who don’t count the cost. Raising possibility that neighbour love we need may come from unexpected sources.

David Buttrick: Plot and Moves Homiletic, 1987 Plot: The selection and ordering of material to achieve a particular intention in the consciousness of the congregation as a body. (Allen, 189) Plot: The selection and ordering of material to achieve a particular intention in the consciousness of the congregation as a body. (Allen, 189) Moves: A sermon begins, then moves from one episode to another. Moves: A sermon begins, then moves from one episode to another.

David Buttrick: Plot and Moves The preacher decides the beginning and end, and the moves it will take to reach the end. The preacher knows how the congregation thinks and shapes the process accordingly. The preacher decides the beginning and end, and the moves it will take to reach the end. The preacher knows how the congregation thinks and shapes the process accordingly. Each move is self-contained, but must clearly connect with preceding and following moves. Each move is self-contained, but must clearly connect with preceding and following moves. The connection may be logical progression, or varied perspectives on one issue, or an image carried through several moves. Not beads on a string. The connection may be logical progression, or varied perspectives on one issue, or an image carried through several moves. Not beads on a string. Moves might alternate between text and contemporary situation, or moves dealing directly with text may be grouped together in a progression of thought, or in shape of text. Moves might alternate between text and contemporary situation, or moves dealing directly with text may be grouped together in a progression of thought, or in shape of text. Buttrick advises 4 to 6 moves of 3 to 5 minutes each. Buttrick advises 4 to 6 moves of 3 to 5 minutes each.

The Good Samaritan in Plot and Moves Group Consciousness: In a Reformed church the preacher is aware of the congregation’s interest in discerning the duties of God’s covenant partners. What does life in covenant look like? Group Consciousness: In a Reformed church the preacher is aware of the congregation’s interest in discerning the duties of God’s covenant partners. What does life in covenant look like? Intended Shift in Consciousness: The preacher wants the community to (re)discover that life in covenant is more than defining and fulfilling duties, and looks like God’s compassion in action. Intended Shift in Consciousness: The preacher wants the community to (re)discover that life in covenant is more than defining and fulfilling duties, and looks like God’s compassion in action.

10 The Good Samaritan in Plot and Moves Beginning: The preacher might begin with a question: e.g. “How do we know the right thing to do in a complicated situation?” and then talk about the ways our religion helps and hinders us as we try to answer that question. Or the preacher might begin with the text, and present the lawyer as a good and dutiful person of faith who’s trying to figure out what he must do. Then suggest the congregation can identify with the lawyer. Beginning: The preacher might begin with a question: e.g. “How do we know the right thing to do in a complicated situation?” and then talk about the ways our religion helps and hinders us as we try to answer that question. Or the preacher might begin with the text, and present the lawyer as a good and dutiful person of faith who’s trying to figure out what he must do. Then suggest the congregation can identify with the lawyer. Move 1: Look at our situation as Christians in our culture today. It’s tough to maintain our identity and know what’s right. Move 1: Look at our situation as Christians in our culture today. It’s tough to maintain our identity and know what’s right. Move 2: We know there are different ways to cope with this problem. We can work hard to impose old rules on a new world, or we can just give up and give in. Move 2: We know there are different ways to cope with this problem. We can work hard to impose old rules on a new world, or we can just give up and give in. 10

Move 3: Look at the text. A man fell prey to greed and violence, as so often happens today. Move 3: Look at the text. A man fell prey to greed and violence, as so often happens today. Move 4: The Priest and Levite came along and formulated acceptable religious responses. Surprise? Move 4: The Priest and Levite came along and formulated acceptable religious responses. Surprise? Move 5: Surprise! The Samaritan came along. He wasn’t bound by the rules the way the other two were. He acted in compassion. The lawyer had to admit the Samaritan got it right. God often works outside the borders of our expectations and beliefs. Move 5: Surprise! The Samaritan came along. He wasn’t bound by the rules the way the other two were. He acted in compassion. The lawyer had to admit the Samaritan got it right. God often works outside the borders of our expectations and beliefs. Ending: As we try to figure out what we are to do, often we miss the call just to be, acting out of our identity as God’s people rather than looking for a list of tasks to complete. Can we be as creative and responsive as God, and receive God’s direction in new and unexpected ways? Ending: As we try to figure out what we are to do, often we miss the call just to be, acting out of our identity as God’s people rather than looking for a list of tasks to complete. Can we be as creative and responsive as God, and receive God’s direction in new and unexpected ways? The Good Samaritan in Plot and Moves

The Lowry Loop Eugene Lowry, The Homiletical Plot (2 editions) Dancing the Edge of Mystery, 1997

The Lowry Loop 1. Oops!Upsetting the Equilibrium 2. Ugh!The Plot Thickens 3. Aha!Disclosing the Clue to Resolution 4. Whee!Experiencing the Gospel 5. Yeah!Anticipating the Future

Episodic Television Frank Thomas, They Like to Never Quit Praisin’ God, 1997 Upsetting the Equilibrium: Crisis Upsetting the Equilibrium: Crisis Commercial Break Commercial Break The Plot Thickens: Intervention / Complication The Plot Thickens: Intervention / Complication Commercial Break Commercial Break Clue to Resolution: Discovery / Addition Clue to Resolution: Discovery / Addition Commercial Break Commercial Break Experiencing Good News: Resolution Experiencing Good News: Resolution Commercial Break Commercial Break Anticipating the Future: Release Anticipating the Future: Release Closing Credits Closing Credits

The Parable of the Good Samaritan Oops!: Man travels dangerous roadalone! Falls among thieves! Oops!: Man travels dangerous roadalone! Falls among thieves! Ugh!: Religious types pass by on other side!Then a Samaritan comes! Ugh!: Religious types pass by on other side!Then a Samaritan comes! Aha!:Samaritan moved with pity! Aha!:Samaritan moved with pity! Whee!: Samaritan takes man to inn, pays bill, and promises to return! Whee!: Samaritan takes man to inn, pays bill, and promises to return! Yeah!: Neighbours appear when most- needed, least-expected. Opportunities to be neighbour abound! Yeah!: Neighbours appear when most- needed, least-expected. Opportunities to be neighbour abound!

Eugene Lowry (again) How to Preach a Parable, 1989 (But not just a parable!) Running the Story Running the Story Sermon follows the flow of the story, in a re-telling that includes helpful commentary, with our own amplifications, elaborations, and flourishes along the way. Sermon follows the flow of the story, in a re-telling that includes helpful commentary, with our own amplifications, elaborations, and flourishes along the way. Delaying the Story Delaying the Story Sermon begins with contemporary situation, issue, problem. Text introduced later to answer need for gospel in contemporary context. Sermon begins with contemporary situation, issue, problem. Text introduced later to answer need for gospel in contemporary context. Suspending the Story Suspending the Story Sermon begins with text, identifies problem in text, discusses problem, returns to text to show how “the rest of the story” solves the problem (or leaves us to live with the tension!) Sermon begins with text, identifies problem in text, discusses problem, returns to text to show how “the rest of the story” solves the problem (or leaves us to live with the tension!) Alternating the Story Alternating the Story Sermon tells the story in sections, each section elaborated or applied to contemporary situation. Sermon tells the story in sections, each section elaborated or applied to contemporary situation.

Paul Scott Wilson The Four Pages of the Sermon, 1999 Text Time Law / Sin 1. Trouble in the Text in the Text (20%) Gospel / Grace 3. God’s Action in the Text in the Text (20%) 2. Trouble in Our Time (20%) Our Time 4. God’s Action in Our Time (20%) Introduction (10%) Conclusion (10%)

The Good Samaritan on Four Pages Text Time Law / Sin 1. Man suffers, leaders fail him. Gospel / Grace 3. Samaritan arrives, acts like God. 2. Many suffer, world fails them. Our Time 4. Acts of compassion enact God’s compassion. Introduction: Story of a challenge to compassion/ Lawyer’s question as opening scene of movie. Conclusion: Call to compassion / Jesus’ words to lawyer, and to us.

Fred Craddock Inductive Preaching Preaching (1990) and other works. Better to read his sermons, best to hear him preach. Begin with a key word, theme, question, tension, etc. that you have identified through your engagement with the text. Begin with a key word, theme, question, tension, etc. that you have identified through your engagement with the text. Lead the congregation on a journey into the text, carrying the key word, etc., exploring how the text may treat the word, etc. Lead the congregation on a journey into the text, carrying the key word, etc., exploring how the text may treat the word, etc. The destination of inductive process is as much the experience of the journey as any specific learning or application. The destination of inductive process is as much the experience of the journey as any specific learning or application. 19

Fred Craddock Inductive Preaching Craddock preaches from a bottomless treasury of stories from his own life and his most familiar environment, the rural southern U.S. Even his occasional literary references are from his environment. Craddock preaches from a bottomless treasury of stories from his own life and his most familiar environment, the rural southern U.S. Even his occasional literary references are from his environment. Craddock exploits the emotional power of narrative. He appeals to the intellect through emotion. He invites identification with the experience embodied in his stories. Craddock exploits the emotional power of narrative. He appeals to the intellect through emotion. He invites identification with the experience embodied in his stories. Our identification is through the key word, theme, question, tension, etc. that he has identified. Our identification is through the key word, theme, question, tension, etc. that he has identified. 20

Inductive Process with the Good Samaritan Key: Jesus says the Samaritan “was moved with pity”. Key: Jesus says the Samaritan “was moved with pity”. Entry: We all know the word “pity”. We use it many ways. Relate some common examples. Entry: We all know the word “pity”. We use it many ways. Relate some common examples. Journey: A story, or set of vignettes, in which “pity” is a refrain or punchline. This might include descriptions of the Priest and Levite saying “pity” as they pass by. We are invited to remember the times when we have been moved to think or speak, but not to act. Journey: A story, or set of vignettes, in which “pity” is a refrain or punchline. This might include descriptions of the Priest and Levite saying “pity” as they pass by. We are invited to remember the times when we have been moved to think or speak, but not to act. Destination: “But...” The Samaritan was moved to act. We are invited to agree that real pity leads to action. Destination: “But...” The Samaritan was moved to act. We are invited to agree that real pity leads to action. 21

Inductive Process with the Good Samaritan The movement of the sermon is similar to that of the text and offers an experience we could imagine. The movement of the sermon is similar to that of the text and offers an experience we could imagine. The fruits of the preacher’s exegesis are rarely explicit in inductive process. The preacher’s choices are based on close study of the text. The fruits of the preacher’s exegesis are rarely explicit in inductive process. The preacher’s choices are based on close study of the text. E.g. the preacher’s choice of “pity” as the key word is grounded in study of the word, how it functions in scripture, and what it represents as an attribute of God. E.g. the preacher’s choice of “pity” as the key word is grounded in study of the word, how it functions in scripture, and what it represents as an attribute of God. The preacher’s goal is not to teach about this pity, but to invite the congregation into an experience of it. The preacher’s goal is not to teach about this pity, but to invite the congregation into an experience of it. Inductive preaching is not for the lazy or faint-hearted. Inductive preaching is not for the lazy or faint-hearted. 22

Thomas Long The Witness of Preaching, 1988, 2005 If this... then this... then this. If this... then this... then this. In Long’s preaching the third “this” is often a twist or a surprise, a challenge to live the full implications of the gospel. In Long’s preaching the third “this” is often a twist or a surprise, a challenge to live the full implications of the gospel. Example: If God is love (as text says)... then God loves all (as logic and other texts say)... then God loves our enemies. Example: If God is love (as text says)... then God loves all (as logic and other texts say)... then God loves our enemies. Long is skilled at stringing stories together in a way that moves the sermon through the process. Long is skilled at stringing stories together in a way that moves the sermon through the process.

Thomas Long This is the promise of the gospel... here is how we may live out this promise. This is the promise of the gospel... here is how we may live out this promise. Long presents the text and emphasizes its positive witness. Long presents the text and emphasizes its positive witness. Then in a series of moves shows how the witness is applicable in contemporary context. Then in a series of moves shows how the witness is applicable in contemporary context. Long uses contemporary stories, but often crafts them in ways that echo the text in an image or a phrase. Long uses contemporary stories, but often crafts them in ways that echo the text in an image or a phrase. Long’s process serves to underline the possibility of response to a text’s witness. Long’s process serves to underline the possibility of response to a text’s witness.

Thomas Long Not this... or this... or this... but this. Not this... or this... or this... but this. Starting with a difficult text or a common, but problematic interpretation. Starting with a difficult text or a common, but problematic interpretation. Moving through possible paths through the text, or problems within the text. Moving through possible paths through the text, or problems within the text. Ending with resolution, either from within the text or in the gospel. Ending with resolution, either from within the text or in the gospel. Long often uses stories in service of each movement, ending with an example of the positive witness. Long often uses stories in service of each movement, ending with an example of the positive witness.

Thomas Long Here is a prevailing view... but here is the claim of the gospel. Here is a prevailing view... but here is the claim of the gospel. Beginning with a contemporary opinion, core belief, misinterpretation. Beginning with a contemporary opinion, core belief, misinterpretation. Offering examples of the prevailing view and results when it is applied. Offering examples of the prevailing view and results when it is applied. Identifying problems in prevailing view. Identifying problems in prevailing view. Offering answer from text, but with contemporary illustration / analogy. Offering answer from text, but with contemporary illustration / analogy.

Thomas Long Here is a letter... Here is a letter... Long identifies a contemporary situation and speaks to it directly from the text or, more generally, the gospel. Long identifies a contemporary situation and speaks to it directly from the text or, more generally, the gospel. He may propose an actual or fictional recipient of the letter. He may propose an actual or fictional recipient of the letter. He may assume the voice of a Biblical writer. He may assume the voice of a Biblical writer.