Sermons: Oral Art Hierarchy

An exposition of a modern Sunday morning church service would indicate that the preacher is the central artist and their sermons are the oral art of choice: 

• The sermon takes up the most time of a service.

• The preacher has had years of training for this craft.

• Entire institutions exist to help sharpen this craft (it’s just another kind of art school).

• Many Christians “church shop” depending on their critique of the preacher’s “performance.”

• The space of the room is designed with the pulpit as the center or main focal point. 

• Most churches reflect the age, ethnicity, and culture of their primary preacher.

• The central artifact of value (scriptures) are embedded within this context of oral arts.

It is not wrong to think this way. In fact, once we do accept sermons as oral art forms, we’ll honor the realm of beauty allocated to our gatherings in a new way.