Liberty University School of Divinity the PRIORITY of HOMILETICS in PREACHING TEAMS
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Liberty University School of Divinity THE PRIORITY OF HOMILETICS IN PREACHING TEAMS: A STRATEGY FOR AN EFFECTIVE HOMILETICAL PROCESS FOR CHRIST-CENTERED, GOSPEL-DRIVEN, EXPOSITORY SERMONS A Thesis Project Submitted to The Faculty of Liberty University School of Divinity in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry by Bob C. Greene Lynchburg, Virginia April 8, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Bob C. Greene All Rights Reserved Liberty University School of Divinity Thesis Project Approval Sheet MENTOR: Dr. Kevin King Professor of Homiletics and Historical Theology Liberty University School of Divinity READER: Dr. Adam McClendon Associate Professor of Christian Leadership & Church Ministries Liberty University School of Divinity THE PRIORITY OF HOMILETICS IN PREACHING TEAMS: A STRATEGY FOR AN EFFECTIVE HOMILETICAL PROCESS FOR CHRIST-CENTERED, GOSPEL-DRIVEN, EXPOSITORY SERMONS Bob C. Greene Liberty University School of Divinity, 2020 Mentor: Dr. Kevin L. King The purpose of this thesis project is to propose an effective strategy for preparing Christ- Centered, Gospel-Driven, Expository Sermons (CGES) by developing an effective methodology for redemptive sermon preparation. Many contemporary churches today often have multiple preaching pastors and preaching teams1, many of which have little to no seminary training in homiletics, yet even those that do, recognize that a seminary education does not necessarily mean that a competency in preaching exists merely due to the education or degree earned.2 Due to talented and gifted pastors with multiple approaches to sermon preparation, it is imperative that 1 The value of preaching teams (in churches that have more than one primary preaching pastor) and the movement that many churches today are working towards offer multiple helps to pastoral staff. Mark Hallock, in his article, “10 Reasons to Consider a Team Preaching Model,” offers significant help in understanding the value in team preaching. https://www.preachleadlove.com/single-post/2016/06/16/10-Reasons-To-Consider-A-Team- Preaching-Model (accessed March 28, 2020). 2 Jeff Robinson Sr. explains, “Every hour of seminary delighted my soul. It left me with much knowledge, and, as it is designed to do, equipped me to gain more for myself. Sure, my theological knowledge positions me to make wise decisions and enables me to feed the flock with healthy grass, but the maturity needed to be a godly under-shepherd comes only through days, weeks, months, and years of labor in the vineyard of the Lord. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I am a man in the middle of his sanctification, just like the people who listen to me preach every Lord’s day. Seminary did not teach me how deeply ministry could wound. But it couldn’t teach me that, for seminary is to ministry what basic training is to combat: a training ground, a relatively safe place to acquire the tools of ministry-Greek, Hebrew, exegesis, homiletics, systematic theology, church history, and much more. Basic training is not war, and seminary is not local church ministry.” 15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 18-20. iv preachers have a proper homiletical process, to avoid the pitfall of preparing non-redemptive sermons. Theoretical and biblical research was conducted on sermon preparation, and the potential benefits of committing to the CGES approach through relevant literature and articles on homiletics. Based on surveys sent to current preaching pastors, the present situation of sermon preparation and homiletics was assessed. To prove the benefits and possible applications of CGES, several biblical and homiletical discourses were analyzed, and homiletic applications were presented from the results of analyzing discourse structures. Findings in this study were integrated to develop an appropriate process intended to aid pastors in utilizing the CGES for preparing sermons. Abstract length: 205 words. v DEDICATION For the one true King and Master of the universe, who has gone above and beyond anything we could hope or image, simply to be our Lord and Savior. To you all glory and honor is given. To my loving wife and children, who have endured long nights and short weekends, the multiple conversations and weeks of absence due to research and examination. Without your support and loving care, this would not be possible. To those whom have been gifted and called to share the amazing message from the one and only true, great God of the universe. May this serve as an encouragement for all the years of dedicated study and delivery of the Gospel message from the pulpit. vi Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iv Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... vi Tables ............................................................................................................................................ xii Figures.......................................................................................................................................... xiii Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... xiv Chapter One Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................................3 Statement of Limitations ..................................................................................................................8 Theoretical Bases ...........................................................................................................................10 Biblical Basis .....................................................................................................................10 Hermeneutic Basis .............................................................................................................17 Homiletical Basis ...............................................................................................................19 Statement of Methodology .............................................................................................................24 Review of Literature ......................................................................................................................26 The Call to Christ-Centered Preaching .............................................................................27 The Passion for Gospel-Driven Preaching ........................................................................32 The Necessity of Proper Hermeneutics in Expository Preaching ......................................36 Chapter Two Preaching the Supremacy of Christ in All of Scripture ...........................................................45 Crisis of Neglecting Redemptive History in Preaching .................................................................47 vii Non-Redemptive Preaching ...............................................................................................48 Diligent-Driven Preaching ....................................................................................49 Imitation-Driven Preaching ...................................................................................51 Morality-Driven Preaching ...................................................................................52 The Biblical Focus of Redemptive Preaching ...............................................................................53 Fallen Human Condition ...................................................................................................57 Application of the Fallen Human Condition in Preaching ................................................62 Freedom from the Fallen Human Condition in Preaching ................................................65 Chapter Three Diagnosis and Evaluation of a Team Preaching Ministry ........................................................67 Overview of the Survey Process ....................................................................................................67 Purpose of the Survey ........................................................................................................67 Procedures of the Survey ...................................................................................................68 Data Collection for the Survey ..........................................................................................69 Respondents’ Profile of the Survey Research (Q1 ~ Q3) ..................................................70 Survey Results on the Team Preaching Ministry ...........................................................................73 Awareness of the Team Preaching Ministry (Q4 ~ Q8) ....................................................73 General Situations of the Team Preaching Ministry (Q9 ~ Q13) ......................................80 Practical Efforts for the Team Preaching Ministry (Q14 ~ Q18)......................................86 Christ-Centered, Gospel-Driven Team Preaching Ministry ...........................................................93 Diagnosis of the Current Team Preaching Ministry..........................................................93 Evaluating Responses for the Awareness of Team