With Ears to Hear: Preaching as Self-Persuasion

What makes good sermons? And how do they come to be? Appropriating insights from the history of rhetoric and modern communications theory, Robin Meyers proposes that truly effective sermons involve more than moralistic proselytizing or "three points and a joke." Rather, the preacher must enter into a dialogue- not only with Scripture and the congregation but creatively with him- or herself as well. This willingness to listen to one's own sermon, this willingness to be freshly persuaded, will help enable the preacher to communicate with greater passion, insight, poetry, and clarity.

Robin R. Meyers is Professor of Speech and Rhetoric at Oklahoma City University and the senior minister at Mayflower Congregational Church, Oklahoma City.