Spiritual Life and Leadership

161. Preaching for Deep Connection, with Lisa Lamb, author of Resonate

Apr 25, 2023

39:39

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Lisa Lamb is professor of preaching and theology at St. Paul’s Theological College and the author of Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection.

Sometimes I wonder how effective sermons are. As a receiver of sermons, I probably don’t remember 99% of the sermons I’ve heard. At the same time, some sermons I’ve heard have been life-changing for me.

The question for us preachers is: How do we preach sermons that connect? Sermons that make an impact? Sermons that truly resonate?

Lisa Lamb helps us answer these questions.

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Lisa Lamb is professor of preaching and theology at St. Paul’s Theological College and other schools in Malaysia and India, and the author of Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection.
Lisa shares what she loves about preaching.
The preaching framework is grounded in verbs. What kinds of verbs are being used in the sermon and in which person are they being spoken?
Preaching in the first person singular gives the congregation a sense who the preacher is and where the preacher is coming from.
Second person singular speech is powerful speech. It blesses and exhorts.
Third person singular is the proclaimer. Lisa Lamb says that speaking in the third person is where we declare God’s goodness.
Third person plural says, “These things are true.”
Lisa Lamb explains how the past, present, and future tenses impact a sermon.
We don’t need to hit all these aspects in every sermon. But Lisa Lamb suggests looking back over several months to see if you’ve spoken in all these ways.
The indicative form is simply naming reality.
The subjunctive form asks, “What if?”
The imperative form—the command—can lead people in very life-giving ways.
Lisa Lamb reflects on how preaching can help congregations wrestle with competing values.

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