Just got back from 3 days in Blackpool on our local ministers conference. We were privileged to have Steve Holmes with us for the 3 days as our main speaker, talking about communication and preaching. Against the often cited criticisms of monologue preaching, he asserted that in the world of business and politics, the monologue is actually the king of persuasive communication techniques. This is how Apple announce the next greatest fruit embossed gadget (see the video). This is how Obama got a new home in the White House (see him in action). We shouldn’t therefore be so quick to right of the ancient art of preaching in monologue. Instead we were encouraged to consider some of the advice available in the school of new homiletics, whatever that means, to make our preaching scratch where people itch.
Part of Steve’s solution was to introduce the conference to the “Lowry loop”. I found it interesting that so few had heard of it. I have been using the OOOOHS, and WEEEEEEEs since they showed us this stuff at college. It transformed the way I approach a sermon, even if the congregation may not think it has transformed my delivery. Interestingly many who had never come across this concept, seemed to realise that when they had preached well, their natural instinct had led them to preach in this looping the loop way. We all listened attentively to the first sermon we heard after all this, but I never saw Phil Jump (our Regional Minister) doing a 360 at any point during his sermon.
Steve only really scratched the surface, but here are a couple of books from my shelf that unpack this approach to the task of preaching in more detail. Including the book from Lowry and some sermons from someone who is renowned for her approach to preaching.
The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form
How to Preach a Parable: Designs for Narrative Sermons
Mixed Blessings by Barbara Brown Taylor
Unfortunately I never made it down to south shore to try a very literal looping the loop sermon. The Revolution was the first 360 degree looping roller coaster in the UK.
Post image from John Burke on flickr.
It’s so good and refeshing to hear this. So often people want to criticise this form of preaching which has proven that it can, has and still does boss the communications playground.