PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS : Strategies

1. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS: Strategies

2. WHY STRATEGIES? • There are great philosophical and cultural differences that permeate our society • There may be great philosophical and cultural differences that separate you as ministers from those to whom you minister • The increasing diversification of the army requires us to adjust our methodologies to accomplish the religious support mission • Strategies provide intentional direction and focus for our methodologies Preaching to Postmoderns 6

3. POSTMODERNS AND “MOSAICS” • Postmodernism is a “way of thinking” • “Mosaics” (millenials) are a demographic or generational category (1984-2002) • Not all Mosaics are postmodern in their thinking • Many “boomers” and “busters” ARE postmodern in their thinking • Mosaics • First generation to be surrounded by the influences and cultural baggage of postmodern thought • Understanding postmodernism • Helps us understand Mosaics (and others) who have been heavily influenced by postmodernism Preaching to Postmoderns 6

4. DECONSTRUCTIONISM • Deconstructionism denies the objectivity of truth • Language is its own referent, nothing objective behind it or above it • Texts have no objective meaning; meaning is what the reader finds in the text • Deconstructionism is the ground of popular relativism: no absolutes • Not all Postmoderns are deconstructionists • But few escape its influence, e.g., in academia • And most share its skepticism about “truth” Preaching to Postmoderns 6

5. DECONSTRUCTIONISM • Deconstructionism has heavily influenced the way we think and learn • “Whereas classical scholarship sought the true, the beautiful, and the good, the postmodernist academy seeks ‘what works.’ The traditional academic world operated by reason, study, and research; postmodern academia is governed by ideological agendas, political correctness, and power struggles.” • Gene Veith, Postmodern Times, 58 Preaching to Postmoderns 6

6. COPING WITH POSTMODERNISM • Acknowledge the paradigm has shifted • The church is no longer part of the “establishment” • We are living in a Post-Constantinian era • In many ways, the Post-Constantinian era is remarkably similar to the Pre- Constantinian era • How did the early church live? Preaching to Postmoderns 6

7. COPING WITH POSTMODERNISM • Lessons from the early church • At the minimum, the early church sought to “transform” culture, rather than assimilate it • At times, it stood “against” culture • Early believers demonstrated the Christian faith • By their love for one another • By their consistency of life • By their commitment, even unto death • By their willingness to share the faith with all Preaching to Postmoderns 6

8. COPING WITH POSTMODERNISM • Connecting to Postmoderns? • Remember- this is the MTV generation • Multi-tasking, non-linear learning • Short attention spans- homiletic structure? • Community-based learning • Be willing to dialog- not pontificate • Make use of story and personal witness • Remember that faith comes by hearing the Word of God! Preaching to Postmoderns 6

9. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • The importance of imagery • “The postmodern age is an image-rich age; therefore postmodern preachers should draw on image-rich narratives and stories to present the gospel and make it clear.” Craig Loscalzo, Apologetic Preaching, 22 Preaching to Postmoderns 6

10. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • The importance of authenticity • “Apologetic preaching must offer the Christian faith without attempting to sell the church.” AP, 24 • The presence of God is missing • The institutional church is no substitute for the reality of God’s presence • The preacher must be a “loyal critic” of the institutional church Preaching to Postmoderns 6

11. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • The importance of authenticity • “How something is said is as important as what is said.” Graham Johnston, Preaching to Postmoderns, 127 • Be aware of “the importance of language in either affirming or marginalizing people.” • “Sermons which are illustrated only by stories about men, quotations from men, and portraits of men receive an increasingly unfavorable response. Neither do they reflect a biblical reality.” Haddon Robinson, A Voice in the Wilderness Preaching to Postmoderns 6

12. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • The importance of theology • “Apologetic preaching requires ministers to be servants of the Word. To neglect this theological task ranks paramount to ministerial malpractice.” AP, 26 • But, Lecture style sermons, with the preacher removed from the realities of life, do not communicate!!! Preaching to Postmoderns 6

13. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • The importance of theology • The preacher is to give meaning to a “culture that desperately seeks significance but does not know where to turn to find it.” AP, 26 • 21st century life presents multiple ambiguities and contradictions • People still seek, at some level, an understanding of life • Connect the dots between doctrine & life Preaching to Postmoderns 6

14. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • Preaching is a conversation grown large • This does not remove the doctrinal foundation of preaching • But adjusts its manner of presentation • Suggesting rather than arguing • Developing rather than concluding • Engaging rather than mandating • “Thus saith the Lord” • Is not incompatible with a servant stance • The Preacher is a “fellow pilgrim” Preaching to Postmoderns 6

15. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • Consider Dialogic Preaching, Johnston, Preaching to a Postmodern World, 150 • Use of the Socratic method • Use of “conversational style” • Use of body language, informality, openness • Consider Inductive Preaching, PtP, 151 • Ask the question, pose the problem- start where the listener is! • Lay out the evidence and consider possibilities- engage listener in dialog • Work towards a solution- maintain suspense Preaching to Postmoderns 6

16. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • Consider Storytelling, Johnston, PtPW, 155 • The gospel is a story • Consider Jesus' use of parables • The Movement • Introduce the story with suspense • Use specifics and vivid imagery • Personalize (what does this say to you?) • Maintain flow!! • Internalize the emotional • Summarize your point Preaching to Postmoderns 6

17. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS • Consider Multi-Media • How does our culture conveys its message??? • The role of drama • The use of contemporary music • The rediscovery and employment of the arts • The opportunities afforded by digital and electronic technologies • The role of humor Preaching to Postmoderns 6

18. MINISTRY TO POSTMODERNS • Per Leonard Sweet, Postmodern Pilgrims, worship should be: • Experiential • Participatory • Image-Driven • Connected • This is supported by the work of Colleen Carroll, The New Faithful, and Robert Webber, The Younger Evangelicals Preaching to Postmoderns 6

19. MINISTRY TO POSTMODERNS • We have focused our concerns primarily on preaching to Postmoderns • But- What are the implications of Postmodernism for other forms of ministry: • Pastoral Counseling? • Religious Education? • Children and Youth Ministry? • Bible Studies? Preaching to Postmoderns 6

20. MINISTRY TO POSTMODERNS • How does Postmodern thought provide new opportunities for ministry? • With its rejection of a rational worldview? • With its openness to personal story? • With its emphasis on the community as teacher and determiner of truth? • With its willingness to question the supremacy of scientific method? • With its rejection of human progress as certain? Preaching to Postmoderns 6

21. PREACHING TO POSTMODERNS: Strategies