6 Characteristics of Black Preaching Ralph D West

6 Characteristics of Black Preaching Ralph D. West

6 Characteristics of Black Preaching 1 Black Preaching Has Been Somewhat Unsung by the Academy 2 A Core Component of Black Preaching is the “Call and Response” motif 3 Black Preaching is a Cultural Biblical Experience

6 Characteristics of Black Preaching 4 Black Preaching is Rich in the Use of Imagination 5 The Black Preacher Mounts the Pulpit with Authority 6 Black Preaching and the Beauty of Celebration

1. Black Preaching Has Been Somewhat Unsung by the Academy Henry Mitchell, regarded for his research on Black preaching asserted, “When a people is considered insignificant, the powers that be do not bother to chronicle their development. ”

2. A Core Component of Black Preaching is the “Call and Response” motif In the Black Church the congregation responds constantly with set responses, encouragements and non-verbal signals. These expressions validate the acceptance of the sermonic experience. “Amen” “Preach sir”

3. Black Preaching is a Cultural Biblical Experience The Biblical story is shared using dialect and rhetoric consistent with Black culture and heritage. Black congregations hear the good news in their own images.

4. Black Preaching is Rich in the Use of Imagination Dr. Cleo La. Rue has suggested that, “the preacher is able to express creatively and courageously the feelings black people harbor about life in America. ”

5. The Black Preacher Mounts the Pulpit with Authority It is clearly understood that the black preacher mounts the pulpit under the authority of the Word of God. “Sir, we would see Jesus. ”

6. The Black Preacher and Celebration “Black preaching uses a medium of imagery and TONALITY to enhance the message. It isn’t a downgrading of quality; it is an upgrading of effectiveness. Preaching has to be more than a cognitive essay!” -Henry Mitchell