Listening first key to good preaching,
Episcopal bishop tells Preaching Days audience

Charles E. Bennison

Being a good preacher requires the discipline of careful listening by a "faithful, loving, compassionate" pastor who is willing to hear clearly the stories of a worshiping community to see what is going on. Only then will it be possible to bring energy, life and vitality from the pulpit to the life of a congregation in a way that is strategically significant.

That advice came June 12 from the Bishop of the Pennsylvania Diocese of the Episcopal Church, the Right Rev. Charles E. Bennison. He was the third of three keynoters to address a diverse audience of clergy attending Preaching Days 2002. Theme for this year's event was "The Foolishness of Preaching." The event is conducted each June at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and is offered by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Academy of Preachers.

Critical to any preaching is careful reading, rereading and pondering any text to glean insights from it. Bennison, who has served parishes and taught extensively throughout his career, spoke with a clear and expressive passion. He wove in anecdotes both from literature and his personal life to amplify certain points.

In both his chapel sermon and ensuing lecture he made clear the importance of preaching to the life of a pastor and congregation. At one point he said he counts on those rectors he recommends to a church to list preaching as one of the top two responsibilities they will bring to their work.

"What does preaching have to do with leadership?" he asked at one point. "It is an opportunity to climb up a risen step where everyone present listens to us. More people listen to a sermon each week than read an editorial or opinion column in the Sunday paper or in a broadcast." He said some 40 percent of the American population shows up in church and that makes preaching a considerable opportunity to "shape opinion."

Bennison said a preacher has the chance to "sit high on a hill" as a strategist for the work of a congregation. In such a role the preacher can truly get at what is eating away at the life of a congregation "and help the group go somewhere." He said that especially in larger congregations, the only way a group can find that direction is from the pulpit because many in the congregation will not have a chance to know the pastor very well otherwise.

Listening carefully helps a pastor learn where a congregation's demons are. He spoke of having visited congregations where job loss and economic crunch are having a major impact. He talked of visiting wealthy churches and of being in the midst of urban congregations where hearing the gospel tune "Fix me, Jesus" had touched his mind and heart.

"Once you've listened and know the demons, preach it, preach whatever the stumbling block is," Bennison said. "You will be helped by the different gospels. Where there is despair preach hope. The gospel of Mark will help you there. If the issue is lack of discipline, preach on Matthew 18. If a preacher cannot bring energy, life and vitality to the whole worshiping community, a congregation will lose its shape."

Bennison was the Stephenson lecturer for Preaching Days. The June 11 presenter was Barbara K. Lundblad, a Lutheran who is associate professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. The June 10 lead presenter was the Rev. Dr. Thomas Grier Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Nearly 100 pastors from a variety of backgrounds attended Preaching Days this year. Each keynoter preaches, offers a lecture and an afternoon workshop.