Challenge to preachers over uninspiring sermons

Evangelical Alliance launches preaching resources

19 April 2010

The Evangelical Alliance is launching new preaching tools after a pilot research project revealed that less than 17% of churchgoers find listening to sermons leads to a change in their life.

 Almost everyone surveyed (96%) said they do look forward to Sunday's talk, but the report found that in the main, preaching is doing too little to motivate people to actually look at the world and live in it differently.

Stephen Gaukroger, Director of Clarion Trust International, said: "We need to question how well we are engaging effectively with our listeners, as we seek to raise a generation of preachers who handle God's Word faithfully and deliver sermons that change lives."

The research entitled A View from the Pew, commissioned by the College of Preachers and conducted by CODEC, raises significant questions that need to be discussed. In response to these questions the Evangelical Alliance is putting the spotlight on preaching as it publishes an e-book and hosts a colloquium.

Refreshing Preaching, an eBook produced as part of the Biblefresh initiative, is published today and contains contributions and insights from a wide selection of well known speakers. It can be found at http://www.biblefresh.com/training/preaching-resources.

Krish Kandiah, Executive Director of Churches in Mission explains: "We asked experienced communicators what one piece of advice they would give the next generation of preachers in the UK. This eBook is full of their wisdom."

Andy Croft, Associate Director of Soul Survivor, said: "As a young preacher I've found the advice of more experienced preachers hugely helpful. For those who've been in the game a while, this eBook provides reminders of classic principles along with new insights for an emerging generation. I highly recommend it."

A preaching colloquium is to be held on 23 April that will explore timely questions, inspire preachers from across denominations and look together at the future of the sermon in the digital age. The event, part of the Biblefresh initiative and hosted by the London School of Theology, will ask what the sermon of the future will look like and address subjects such as training the next generation, preaching to the 20s and 30s, renewing an appetite for preaching and preaching models for the 21^st Century.

The day will commence with a presentation of the research, followed by a number of short presentations from a variety of respected preachers, and plenty of opportunity for questions to be discussed. In the afternoon time will be spent actively considering the future as participants discuss a variety of timely questions in focus groups. Participants include Andy Croft, Dotha Blackwood, Femi Popoola, Jenny Baker, and Stephen Gaukroger.

The event costs £10 and takes place at London School of Theology, Northwood, on Friday 23 April and starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. Preachers who would be interested in attending can contact Phil Green at the Evangelical Alliance Theology department at p.green@eauk.org.

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