Post-Modern Preaching Issues - Term Paper Example

Post modern preaching Just like any other factor in the society, preaching and the spread gospel has evolved through themodern emerging trends in communication and social circles. The development in spreading the gospel is based on the fact the audience of the message in under transformation too. Different from the ancient congregation, the modern congregation has been exposed to significant change and technological advances. Apart from the physical change, the modern audience has also undergone spiritual change in terms of who and what to believe in. In words by Allen religion significance has declined over the years (78). The author further argues that this is attributed to the fact that preachers and religious institutions have lost touch with the modern generation. Most preachers still use the old ways of passing the message to the audience. As much as these methods are pure and original, their impact in the modern society has been diminished. The modern society needs something that connects with them with the current emerging trends- a message that may help them go through modern society challenges. This is one factor that preachers have failed to achieve in preaching. This has made most religious institution lose touch with the society. According to Allen just like we embrace technology and globalization in our societies, preachers should embrace the use of the same in delivering sermons (29). However, many religious practices have been able to adjust to these changes and still hold much significance in the society. They are referred to the igeneration preachers. They believe in preaching the word in the most appropriate way in the perspective of their audience. This includes use of modern tools and instruments, applying of global trending society topics and accepting the fact that exposure level of the modern spiritual is deep and the approach should be the same. The growth of the church has been significant throughout the centuries. In the ancient religious settings, preachers or religious leaders did not have a tiring task of passing the message to the audience. This is attributed to the fact the audience has so much believe in religion and they were not exposed to technological trends. LaRue argues life was simpler and less complicated to believe in (112). People in the ancient centuries did not have much of tasks and factors distracting them from adhering to the gospel. This scenario has completely changed in the modern generation. Hilliard argues that the modern society is exposed to less spirituality and more of economic or social activities (98). This creates the gap between the modern society and religion. Preachers have to develop ways to reach out to the occupied generation (Allen 85). It has ceased to be an obligation that people have to attend religious services like people used to in the back days. For the modern society to be inclined to religious activities, there must that outstanding factor driving this objective. In words by Arendell for preachers to remain significant in what they do, they must be able to advance to the same level as the social trends have (211). This may include using the most common tool to reach out the modern generation: the social network (Hilliard 90). The growth of the church in the African American perspective displays the same results. The ancient African American church was known for its significance in society. The church was a spiritual hub for all ages. It was a compulsory function in the whole society as parents exposed their children to spirituality at a tender age. This practice created a long line of spiritual generations. In words by Arendell the African American society was one of the most religious societies in the United States (145). The author further argues that this was attributed to the fact the passing down of religious beliefs in the society was effective. As generations passed, this fact slowly changed. One religious practice that was first to be rejected was the door to door preaching. It faced great rejection which is different from the tradition African American society. The modern African American society has greatly distanced itself from the contemporary religious setting. Just like the other societies across the globe, globalization and technological trends have made religion the least considered factor in the society. However, the effort of the black preacher has been significant to secure their community. In an argument by Hilliard the modern African American population is only moved by effectively prepared sermons and channeled through effective modes (34). Preparation of sermons today has become more of a theology than a religious duty. The sermons should be able to effectively connect to the audience without shutting out any person because of their beliefs and social preferences. Groeschel argues that sermons have changed to a more general duty of ensuring people listen from a personal duty which required people to have specific beliefs and social preferences (87). For instance, the issue on same sex marriage and relationships has been accepted in most societies. Looking at this issue on a religious perspective, it is difficult to give a full approval. However, depending on the widespread of the practice and sensitivity of the issue, preachers in the modern societies show great care when tackling the matter. This is different to the ancient church where such an issue would be cursed in public and termed an outright sin. However, the modern day preacher is in great of an audience which means they have to keep an open mind in sensitive issues to retain their flock and still have the chance of making them believe in the word (Arendell 67). The mode and way preachers pass their sermons have greatly changed. This has shifted from the tradition religious gatherings on Sabbath. It was an easy task for a preacher to gather an audience in the ancient centuries than the in the modern society. This difference is also attributed to the social and economic factors affecting the society (Groeschel, 123). More and more people are getting distanced from the church due to globalization and the emerging society trends. However, preachers and religious institutions have come up with strategies that try to reach out to the majority of people. Like any organizational setting, religious institutions have adapted advertising and using the media as their main reach out tool. It is a common scenario in the media of churches advertising their services or conducting services (Allen 102). Many churches have paid for television and radio frequencies in their quest to remain significant in the society. Different from the ancient church where people used to go for the word, the modern day preacher has to take the word to the people by all means. However, the subscription to media frequencies has been criticized since it creates a society of lazy religion followers. Arendell argues that this strategy takes people away from the church (234). However, the author argues that the strategy creates another wave of the modern generation to listen to the word. It an obvious assumption that the way the society perceives religion has greatly changed. The power of the pulpit has now shifted to the preacher who can attract a large congregation through the right message and the right channels of giving the message (Arendell 81). The demanding religious population can only be appeased by being contacted by the same emerging trends they are more inclined to. This trend is expected to rise to more demanding levels with the rise in technological and social trends. The modern preacher has an extra task of getting an audience from the original task of passing the word to the congregation. Works cited Allen, Ronald. Thinking Theologically: The Preacher as Theologian. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 2008. Print. Arendell, Randy. Modern Church: Where Tradition Trumps Truth. CA: Xulon Press. 2008. Print. Groeschel, Craig. How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It. Boston: Sondervan. 2011. Print. Hilliard, Donald Jr. Church Growth from an African American Perspective. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press. 2006. Print. LaRue, Cleo. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. New York: Westminster John Knox Press. 2005. Print. Read More