SPIRITUAL / Christian Ministry / Preaching
In Conversational Preaching, we are given an in-depth investigation into how humans communicate and how understanding interpersonal communications skills can be of considerable value for those called to preach God’s word.
Dr. Sowards has made rather elegant use of the model of interpersonal communication as a device to explore preaching and communicating with congregants.
-Dr. Dalton Kehoe, Senior Scholar, Communication Studies, York University, Toronto. Canada
Sowards’ book advances the idea of conversational preaching beyond the merely metaphorical by applying practical insights from Interpersonal Communications Theory to the act of sermon crafting.
-The Rev. Dr. Micah Jackson, Ph.D., Bishop John Elbridge Hines Associate Professor of Preaching and Director of Comprehensive Wellness, Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin. Texas
This book is for preachers and students of preaching who want to become belter preachers and communicators. I have explored the theories of interpersonal communication and shown how preachers can benefit from such knowledge. I described the concept of noise as an impediment to communications and explored the topic with regard to politics, beliefs about the poor, past religious experiences and having an underdeveloped faith. I examined the concept of feedback and how effective feedback can be fodder for future sermons. I developed a model for conversational preaching using interpersonal communications theory and state that the ultimate goal of any sermon would be to facilitate a conversation with the hearers of a sermon and God.
The Rev. Dr. Mike Sowards is the Rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Collegeville, PA. Mike holds a B.A. in History and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. He received his M. Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary and his Doctorate in Ministry from the Sewanee School of Theology at The University of the South. He is married to the love of his life, Sonya and they have two married adult children and five grandchildren.
