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n a weekly basis across the globe, people gather by dozens, by hundreds, and by thousands. Together they speak in unison and sing in harmony. They share bits of bread and sips of wine. They hear readings from a book and listen to leaders who explain, often at length, the relevance of what has been read to their daily experience. Described like this, in terms of outwardly observable actions, Christian churches’ worship services may seem bland and pointless. If fictional aliens from a distant galaxy (or earthbound anthropologists unfamiliar with Jesus’ followers) were to examine such assemblies, would they be mystified by the purpose that draws Christian believers together so frequently? Would they wonder why we gather to sing, speak, listen, and taste?
WHAT IS A SERMON FOR? Take, for example, the sermon, which is often the most prominent feature of Christian worship. A typical order of worship includes songs and prayers, Scripture readings and sacraments, but the sermon often consumes more time than all
the other elements of worship combined. Worshipers often assess the service as a whole in terms of what they hear in the sermon. So why do multitudes give rapt attention to these extended monologues, week in and week out? What does preaching, specifically, do? What purposes does it, or should it, achieve? In 1877, the American Episcopal Bishop Phillips Brooks delivered a series of lectures at Yale College. His audience was composed of students preparing for pastoral ministry, and his subject was preaching. Those lectures became an oft-quoted classic on the mysterious and daunting task of proclaiming God’s Word. In his first lecture Rev. Brooks observed, “The purpose of preaching must always be the first condition that decrees its character. The final cause is that which really shapes everything’s life. And what is preaching for? The answer comes without hesitation. It is for men’s salvation.” But then, said the bishop, things get complicated, since neither people nor preachers always agree on what salvation means. From what do we need saving? If we need deliverance from sinful desires, preaching will focus on issues of spiritual maturity and combating temptation. If we need rescue from God’s just wrath, preaching will concentrate on justification and Christ’s once-for-all obedience and sacrifice that are its ground.
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