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Sermon listening: a new approach based on congregational studies and rhetoric

The recent homiletical literature reveals the “turn to the listener” as a widespread trend of attempting to minimize the gap between the pulpit and the pew and indicates the increase in the reappropriation of various rhetorical contributions. At the same time, the development of congregational studies has encouraged practical theologians to conduct empirical studies in order to explore the highly contextual nature of sermon listeners’ involvement in the practice of preaching. The investigation of my immediate context, however, proves that preaching holds a precious place in the theology and life of Croatian Baptist churches, but also identifies the absence of empirical research that probes their preaching practice from the hearers’ perspective. These are the reasons why this study is motivated by the following research question: What are the real expectations and receptiveness of Croatian Baptists as sermon listeners, and how can these findings be utilised to improve the quality of preaching? To articulate dependable answers, I conducted a qualitative field study based on a phenomenological approach, using semi- structured interviews with eighteen members of five local Baptist congregations located in four Croatian towns. The feedback was interpreted by means of three rhetorical modes of appeal (logos, ethos, and pathos) which served a purpose of identifying their actual expectations and (dis)engaging factors that direct their listening participation and sermon reception. The same data was submitted to critical theological reflection, aiming at the theological warrants for constructive suggestions for the transformation of preaching practice. The findings from the research demonstrate that participants tend to hold a high view of preaching, and yet many of them report unmet expectations which may lead to lowering their expectations. Among the most prominent interviewees’ expectations are: hope that the sermon will provide direction in their everyday life, desire to meet God during the sermon and to have their devotional reading of the Bible enhanced by sermon listening, a longing to have their spiritual batteries recharged, and anticipation that preaching should question their status quo and challenge them to change. Also, the study indicates that triggering the listeners’ identification boosts their reception of the message and promotes their engagement. Although these particular findings are not generalisable, they nevertheless point to the possibility of an important implication: backing up the listeners’ expectations with their active responsibility for the preaching may transform the entire practice into a constructive enterprise that bridges the gap between hearers and preachers. The specific suggestions, based on the study findings, to preachers and listeners in Croatian Baptist churches may serve both as an illustration of how preaching can be reestablished as a truly congregational practice and as an impetus for further studies in different contexts.

Preaching, sermon, sermon listening, congregational studies, rhetorics, listeners, practical theology

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