In Sermons Do We Trust (part 2)

        "All too often people equate being word-centered with being sermon-centered.  People argue for sermons by arguing for the centrality of God's word, assuming that the word and the sermon are synonymous in Christian practice.  It assumes God's word can only be taught through sermons.  Or people assume that the alternative to sermons is anarchy or relativism with no place of the Spirit-gifted teacher of God's word, as if Spirit-gifted teachers can only exercise their gift through 45 minute monologues.

        The reality is that there is little New Testament evidence for the sermon as we understand it today. Jesus taught primarily through dialogue, sayings and stories.  He occasionally taught in synagogues, but more often he taught in homes, along the road, and in the open air.  The so-called "Sermon on the Mount" is probably a summary of a whole day of teaching, giving us little clue about the nature of interaction that went on. 

        The sermons in Acts are for the most part unprepared defense speeches.  They are not delivered from a pulpit on a Sunday morning but before a court or before a mob.  When Paul does address Christians on a Sunday (and Eutychus falls asleep!), the word used to describe his teaching is the Greek word from which we get our English word dialogue (Acts 20:7).  The word commonly translated "preach" means to proclaim the gospel to unbelievers.  It covers any verbal communication including discussion, dialogue, or debate.  It actually conveys what we mean when we speak today of evangelism rather than simply a 45 minute monologue delivered from a pulpit. 

        Historically the sermon as monologue arose after the "conversion" of Constantine, and imperial backing for Christianity brought large numbers of nominal Christians into the church.  As a result, it was no longer possible for a group of genuine followers of Christ to discuss God's word with a Bible teacher. ....

        Word ministry takes place in a variety of ways, not simply for 45 minutes on a Sunday morning.  It takes place through group Bible studies.  It takes place when two people meet to read the Bible.  It takes place as people are mentored through the word.  In our experience, most character formation and discipleship takes place through informal and ad hoc conversations.  This kind of word ministry requires relationships, time, and gospel intentionality."

- Excerpt from Total Church by Steve Timmis & Tim Chester