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

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.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Books mentioned:
  • Resonate: How to Preach for Deep Connection, by Lisa Lamb
• Paraclete Mission Associates
  • Rich and Lisa Lamb page

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