A reflection of this course shows that it has prepared me for my theology work adequately once I graduate. It has helped us to internalize how best to perform our duty of preaching to people and converting them to follow their faiths in the best way possible. During this course, we have looked at several books, three of which I feel are outstanding in their discourse about the use of a multisensory approach to preaching. I have reflected on the three books in detail below.
Among the many things that I found interesting in this course include reading a bible story and telling it in class in a low tech oral telling. I was able to understand how to relate Bible stories with the actual happenings in real life, something that will help me in explaining these stories to my congregants after I graduate. The unit opened my eyes on how best to infuse bible stories with real happenings in human life. I also learned about writing an exegesis on a chosen bible story, something that I can apply in my later practice as a theologian.
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Something else that this course made it appear more straightforward to me was the writing of an expository paper on the elements that I did relating to my ministry. The expository paper talked about very many aspects that deal with a fully-fledged ministry and how I can plan for a ministry effectively. The course has been an eye-opener in theology and the many aspects that deal with it. However, below, I have done an in-depth analysis of the three books we learned and how they can be used to help preachers achieve their objectives in their various ministries while preaching.
The works of Shiner, Jensen, and Blackwood speak about the need of preachers to use new approaches in passing across the word of God that will lead to their audiences internalizing it, possessing and applying it in their lives effectively. The new strategies involve the use of many senses at once during the sermon. The result will be that it will lead to the involvement of the audience in the sermon, as there will be no element of boredom in the church. These three writers bring to the attention of the reader evidence that shows how the multisensory approach is working effectively and helping preachers achieve their objectives, consequently leading to reformed congregants due to their ability to internalize the message of the sermon and apply it in their lives.
Shiner (2003) talks about the multisensory approach that was used to pass the gospel to the audience, as captured in the book of Mark. Though Shiner’s work is based on the 1 st -century preaching, it is possible to see that the way the preaching used to take place was meant to have an impact on the congregants, which eventually led to a deeper understanding of what was being preached. Shiner (2003) says, “We are not hearing the Gospel through first-century eyes if we do not hear the emotions.” From the above words, it is possible to see that people need to be connected emotionally to the gospel so that an element of a good relationship can be developed between the gospel and the individual listening to it.
Shiner (2003) also says that preachers should consider interacting with their audience for them to help establish the intended meaning of the passage. Some of the techniques of interacting with people include asking them questions and helping them analyse their responses in relation to the preaching that is taking place. Such a method will make the audience attentive, as they may not want to be caught off-guard by the questions that may be thrown their way.
Blackwood (2013) says that the more the senses that a preacher stimulates during preaching, the more the attention that he will receive from his congregation. Many preachers think that by talking authoritatively and by threatening the congregation, they drive their message home. Blackwood (2013) identifies three senses out of the five senses as the most effective in helping the preacher connect with his audience. These three senses are verbal, visual, and touch. Blackwood (2013) also says that preachers should embrace the use of modern technological devices, like DVDs, in the preaching process. He says that there is no evil in using such devices, as long as they are being used in the right way. What, therefore, comes out is that Blackwood (2013) advocates for the use of multisensory teaching to help the congregant internalize the word of God.
Jensen (2005) says that from time immemorial, the use of the spoken word and visual images has played a role in helping preachers deliver in their sermons. He feels that if the earliest preachers were using more than one sense to deliver their message, modern preachers should emulate the same and even improve on it so that there is proper delivery of their message. Jensen (2005) says that during the early church, images and words were used in the preaching process. In the medieval ages, icons took the place of images. It, therefore, implies that in the present times, preachers need to go further and look for something that they can use to reinforce the multisensory preaching so that the congregants embrace the scriptures positively. Jensen (2005) also says that the use of multisensory preaching will make the preaching look real before the congregants. The result will be that there are a more significant percentage of them who will internalize the said preaching and apply it in their lives.
A difference between the traditional scripture presentation and the multi-dimensional approach include the fact that the multi-dimensional approach provides an interactive forum with the congregants, something that the traditional approach does not provide. Another difference is that while traditional methods lead to less retention of what is preached, the multi-dimensional approach leads to higher retention rates of the scriptures. The reason is that the multi-dimensional approach involves more than one sense, while the traditional approach uses only the sense of hearing. It, therefore, means that the multi-dimensional approach has more benefits than the traditional approach. One of these benefits is that the congregants can apply what they learn in their lives as they retain it for longer compared to the traditional approach whose teachings are forgotten the moment people leave the place of worship.
Among the limitations facing the multisensory approach include the fact that they require more time and more resources. All these resources imply that more money has to be spent, something that may become a burden on the congregants. Another limitation is that not all preachers may understand how to invoke all senses in their preaching. Even if they were given the materials, some might not even understand how to use them.
Some of the adaptations that different ministries and audiences may put in place include having storage rooms or facilities for the material used for multisensory preaching. Such materials may include DVDs, paintings, realia, and video players, among others. Once the safety and or storage of such facilities are assured, then it will be easy to embark on multi-dimensional preaching.
The insights gleaned from these class readings are that the multisensory approach to preaching is the best as it makes it possible for the congregants to concentrate during the sermon. The multisensory approach ensures that more senses, other than the sense of hearing, are used. The audience will hear the message through their ears. They will also observe visuals or images related to the sermon, and they can even touch some aspects that are related to the sermon. The result is that there are higher retention rates compared to when only the sense of hearing is used.
My personal experiences with course requirements are that they are specific on what the students are supposed to do so that they can pass this course. Each requirement is allocated some marks, which imply that it is upon the students to determine how many marks they want to score in this unit. An example is where one gets 5% of the final grade for attending the class only. I feel that the course is, therefore, learner-friendly, and anyone failing it will be out of personal choice.
Overall, I feel that I have undergone a lot of transformation, courtesy of this course. I feel that I can apply in life the many Bible stories that I have read and internalized. I also feel that this course has prepared me how to ensure that I am an effective preacher who can impact positively on the lives of my congregants. Among the many things that I found interesting in this course include reading a bible story and telling it in class in a low tech oral telling. I was able to understand how to relate Bible stories with the actual happenings in real life, something that will help me in explaining these stories to my congregants in future. The unit opened my eyes on how best to infuse bible stories with real happenings in human life.
References
Blackwood, R. (2013). The power of multisensory preaching and teaching. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan.
Jensen, R.A. (2005). Envisioning the world: The use of visual images in preaching.
Minneapolis. Fortress.
Shiner, W. (2003). Proclaiming the gospel: first-century performance of Mark . New York. Routledge.
