How to Apply Journalism Techniques to Add Impact to Sermons

Preaching that Connects is a book written by Mark Galli and Craig Larson to provide preachers with journalistic tools for delivering better and more efficient sermons. The authors have both journalism and pastoral experiences. The purpose of Preaching that Connects is to present how to integrate journalism skills into sermon presentation. From the vital introduction, the bridge to illustrations, and the final application, the book offers practical guidance on how to enhance the sermon to be of most benefit to the listeners. Additionally, the book also talks about principles of perfect sermonizing and transforming sermonizing sessions into a robust language that gives clear communication and strongly impacts the listeners. According to Galli and Larsen, this can only be achieved by using journalism techniques. Preaching that Connects is an easy-to-read book with multiple examples giving instructions and various ideologies on how journalism can be used in preaching. The book is designed to help preachers work through the authors’ suggestions by communicating more clearly and connecting well with the listeners. Furthermore, the book is a helpful guide on how to enhance an individual’s writing skills. The authors’ critical principles in the book include the five major points for generating creative ideas, six ingredients for giving illustrations, and ten major points to make great storytelling. The intended audience are those people seeking to take the art of preaching to the next level. The authors agree that every person has unique techniques and approaches in preaching the Wrd of God. The book emphasizes that preachers should be at the forefront in considering their listeners and primarily guides them on how to structure their sermons properly, right from the introduction, development, and conclusion in a manner that will interest and captivate the listeners’ minds ( Galli & Larson, 1994 p. 16). However, while Preaching that Connects is far much better than the seminars that most preachers attend, the book may be mistaken as a guide for preaching to those who may not have proper grooming in the scriptures and the art of preaching. Ultimately, applying the book’s concepts will enhance the approach and perspectives that preachers take during their sermons. The book is divided into twelve sections, each section handling specific content. The first chapter is an introduction that gives a keynote guidance on the attitude the preacher needs to develop towards the listeners. The second chapter talks about creativity. The fourth chapter gives practical guidance lesson on how the preacher can make powerful introductions. Subsequent sections of the book handle sermon structuring, making powerful illustrations, telling good stories, making forceful styles, how to craft words that t inspire, pacing, finishing strong and how to preach within oneself. In chapter four, Galli and Larson also present the structure of a sermon. The authors opine that “No sermon can be considered ready for preaching unless it is ready for writing as well”. The authors further argue that until a preacher can express their message in concise sentences, they are not ready for preaching ( Galli & Larson 1994) . In summary, Preaching that Connects, the authors present how using journalism techniques can transform sermons into “show them” sessions rather than “tell them” sessions. For example, “Presenting that Johny was mad is telling. However, Johny turned red, clenched his teeth, and pounded his fist on the table” is telling rather than showing ( Galli & Larson, 1994 p. 76). The authors assert that showing the listeners rather than just telling them brings them into a situation where they can see for themselves what the preacher’s intent is. For example, in the chapter “Crafting Words that Inspire”, the authors use phrases that are well crafted to show how they can have a tremendous influence on the listeners ( Galli & Larson, 1994) . “Most Biblical phrases can be shortened, but the periphrasis appeals to the mind as well as to the imagination. Instead of saying, David loves me, God says, “I esteem David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart.” (Acts 13:22) ( Galli & Larson, 1994 p. 114). Just like how God spoke, preaching should entail an element of showing in addition to telling the listeners what the intended message is. Galli and Larson also outline three fundamental steps to produce attention-grabbing sermon openings. In this case, the authors point out one of the most important elements for good communication is that people do not always want to hear abstract ideas. “The key element when dealing with abstract ideas when preaching about such subjects like the Eschatology or the Trinity is to relate the subject to the people.” The authors cite an example of the “60 Minutes” show on One Television. They point out that the journalist never does a story about an issue without associating it to a person ( Galli & Larson 1994) . Moreover, the authors cite a veteran journalist, William Zinsser, who said that “if something does not induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, then the article is as good as dead” ( Galli & Larson, 1994). Thus, through the various real-life examples, Galli and Larson present three fundamental principles that can grab listeners’ attention. Likewise, preachers should endeavor to apply the same journalistic techniques to enhance effective preaching. The book gives the mechanics and critical prerequisites of the preaching process. It encourages pastors to endeavor to preach sermons that are easy to understand and that they make and retain Christ as the center of the sermon. The authors do this by offering the reader journalistic tools to help them communicate more efficiently and appropriately. However, it is good to understand what the book does not provide to the reader. While the book gives invaluable principles to guide preachers in their sermonizing, the book does not present step-by-step instructions on preparing for a sermon or understanding the scriptures. Therefore, the reader needs to understand the authors’ objectives in writing the book. The authors’ primary purpose is to help the reader enhance their preaching experience. The book is written with two vital assumptions. First, it presumes that readers have a strong background in the exegetical and traditional homiletics. Secondly, they assume that the reader is a disciplined student of the scriptures and a dutiful and faithful preacher of the word of God and is dependent on the “enabling power of the Holy Spirit to empower them for their preaching moments” ( Galli & Larson, 1994 p. 11-12). Thus, the book redefines preaching, assuming that the reader is already knowledgeable of theological teachings. 

The authors also explain how to bring the sermon home to the listener in more appealing ways. The book will enable the reader to master the art of communication to grab the listener’s attention. The book also urges preachers to preach for understanding and not just to be heard. However, the book does not have sufficient theological backup for its assertions. For example, a comprehensive reading of the book will give the reader an understanding of how preachers can use journalism techniques in their preaching but does not connect these assertions to Christ’s teachings as presented in the Scriptures. Besides, the book only stresses the importance of emphasizing key ideas and ideologies concerning what materials should be included in a sermon at the expense of practical lessons from Christ’s sermons. The authors also present what preachers need to include in their sermons through the right choice of material and to engage listeners but do not support their assertions with evidence from Scripture. Ultimately, the structuring of a sermon improves the connection between preachers, their audiences, and the message. Additionally, the book does not have information for those who preach from scripts. Galli and Larson seem to be biased to “journalism principles” only while they neglect critical aspect for sermonizing guidance and principles in the case where reading from scripts would be more preferable to “free-style” preaching. While Preaching That Connects is full of promises to help one understand how to apply journalism techniques to add impact to sermons, the authors seem to rely more on sentimentalism and emotions as a measure of effective sermonizing. This is contrary to the teachings of Christ, as Christ never relied on charming the audiences with eloquence or elation. Christ ‘s teachings show that the only preaching that can have an effect on souls is that which is borne by the unction of the Holy Spirit rather than by literary training. In conclusion, Galli and Larsen present what every preacher should know, especially how to apply principles of journalism in their sermons. Galli and Larsen believe that by integrating journalism principles in sermonizing, preachers can capture the listeners’ minds and hearts. In Preaching that Connects, the authors show how the principles of journalism can create apoeaking and effective sermons. Overall, the book helps readers be wary of their weaknesses and aids them in enhancing their preaching styles with practical tips and principles to give the reader the most benefit. This book can strengthen a preacher’s preaching to help them deliver the most moving and life-transforming sermons. 

Reference 

Galli, M., & Larson, C. B. (1994).  Preaching that connects: Using journalistic techniques to add impact . Zondervan.