Ive found that there are significant differences in preaching as it pertains to the two predominant racial/ethnic groupings in our fellowship. For example, just by my purely non-researched, experiential, and anecdotal observations, it seems that most Caucasian preaching styles can be lumped into about three categories. You have the intellectual lecture style, the entertaining witticism style, and the inspirational storyteller style. These styles may be delivered in either textual, exegetical, apologetic, expositional, or topical homiletical structures (or some mixture thereof). It seems that most African-American styles can be lumped into about three categories also. There are the prophetic, Priestley, and pastoral styles of preaching. Among them there also several delivery styles. There are those who squall, whoop, singsong, lecture, shout, joke, story tell, and debate. These styles also may be used in either textual, exegetical, apologetic, expositional, or topical homiletical structures (or some mixture thereof). I dont really see a problem with the difference in the styles. I enjoy listening to good preaching regardless of ethnicity or style. I love the culture of preaching and the technique of preaching at the artistry of preaching and the anointing of preaching. The problem is when there is a misunderstanding of the styles drawn by racial lines and disrespect of those styles. Seeing a lack of the Spirit of God in a white guy who is not very demonstrative in his presentation or uses more of an academic lecture style to present the gospel is counterproductive to unity in the body and shows a childlike ignorance and how the culture he is speaking to accesses understanding of the will of God in their lives. Characterizing a black guy as ignorant or only seeking emotion or showboating because he uses a whoop style of delivery when he preaches, shows a deep disrespect for the cultural and spiritual significance of the African-American Ethos and experience, and ignorance of how the cultures accesses spiritual awareness. There must come a time where we put away our hubris, build a bridge of respect, and seek to understand (not dissect) and appreciate one anothers cultural homiletical realities. Perhaps oneness will help us all.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:19:12 +0000
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