Preaching in the Context of Worship (Preaching and Its Partners)

Rating:
Summary: Embodying the Word...
Review: This text, edited by David Greenshaw (president and professor of preaching at Eden seminary), and Ronald J. Allen (professor of preaching and New Testament at my seminary), is a useful and interesting collection of essays that deal with the role of preaching in specific relation to the overall worship practice and experience. Strange as it may seem, preaching is often considered something 'separate' from the overall idea of worship and liturgy - true, preaching is often a key component in worship, but somehow the exploration of 'doing worship' and 'doing preaching' has often been separate issues. Even in my own seminary training, good that it was, I can hardly ever remember a time when the idea of preaching in context of worship was discussed.

This book serves a dual purpose - first, it is to explore issues of preaching in a worship context. Second, it is a festschrift of sort for Charles L. Rice, professor of homiletics at Drew University (which explains why seven of the ten contributors to the volume are listed as having received their doctorates from Drew, including editors Greenshaw and Allen). Rice, an Episcopal priest by way of the United Church of Christ from a Southern Baptist upbringing, is quoted in the introduction as having said that preaching is more appropriate from the table than the pulpit - 'This is the place, at the table, where gospel preaching is most assured, and the preacher who stands there with the baptistery in full view will be more inclined to give thanks than to complain, to bless than to curse.'

The essays come from a distinguished list of contributors: Marian Young Adell, Shelley E. Cochran, Heather Murray Elkins, Douglas Gwyn, Robin L. Meyers, Koo Yong Na, Rochelle A. Stackhouse, and Paul Scott Wilson, in addition to the two editors. Together they explore areas of recent history, various aspects of worship such as music and the arts, lectionary preaching, prophetical ministry, and preaching in different cultural contexts.

Marian Young Adell looks at the role of preaching in the renewal movements in worship over the past generation since Vatican II. This includes Eucharistic renewal, cultural sensitivity, and social involvement of the congregation. Heather Murray Elkins looks at the combination of Word and Worship, stating that 'there is no common life, no common ground, no common action without an agreement on the shared story and the common table.' She plays on the words altar and alter to show the transformative element of sacraments and preaching. Robin Meyers looks at the complement of worship and preaching, looking at issues of communication theory, language and other elements of worship and how they can enhance and amplify the message of the preacher.

Paul Scott Wilson looks at the issue of how the inclusion of Word and Sacrament together (or separation in the service) influences the way preaching is done and received by the congregation. Looking at issues historically and of current practice, he discusses issues on both side of the issue of regular preaching with or without sacramental accompaniment. Shelley Cochran looks at the issues that have arisen from development and implementation of use of the Revised Common Lectionary in churches, both from the standpoint of the helpfulness and the problematic aspects such use involves. Cochran advocates appreciation for the RCL without a rigid adherence to it - 'departures invite creativity,' Cochran writes, while maintaining the value of lectionary use. Rochelle Stackhouse looks at the element of music in worship in relation to preaching. Music is 'the embodied word' as much as other elements, and thus can work together toward praise and proclamation. Drawing on references from C.S. Lewis and T.S. Eliot, Cochran asks the reader to imagine a world that was sung into being, rather than spoken into being (as implied in Genesis).

Douglas Gwyn, drawing on a Quaker heritage, looks at the issue of preaching not being simply the preserve of an educated elite or clerical hierarchy, but rather a task that is meant to empower and give voice to the congregation. Koo Yong Na looks at a case study of preaching and worship in a Korean context, looking at the way that preaching and interpretation of scripture changes given cultural and linguistic differences. Base understandings and interpretations of metaphors and symbols vary, and must be addressed adequately for the new context.

Ronald Allen's contribution to this volume, in addition to editing, is an essay on preaching outside of the principle Sunday worship service. Sometimes these are for pastoral events (weddings, funerals) and sometimes for public holidays or events (Memorial Day, Holy Week services, etc.). Often these are more ecumenical/non-denominational in nature, and sometimes not even bona fide 'preaching' events; Allen gives helpful suggestions toward navigating through such events. Finally, David Greenshaw's essay looks at the issue of the arts in worship and the impact this can have on preaching. The arts are very culturally specific, yet tap into more general power. 'Few places in any culture are as artistically arrayed as worship,' Greenshaw writes, developing the idea of art's power to both represent and to shape culture, being both conservative and radical in nature simultaneously.

This is a truly excellent and interesting collection of essays, a worthy tribute to Charles Rice, and worthy of reading by any preacher, liturgist, seminarian and worship participant. The language throughout is accessible and lively, and the ideas engaging and thought-provoking.