Performing the Word

by Jana Childers

Book Overview

Whether they like it or not, actors and preachers have a great deal in common. Many churchgoers see the truth in the old saying that links preachers and frustrated actors, though few preachers seem anxious to acknowledge the family resemblance. Performing the Word destigmatizes the performance-based approach to preaching and shows how the experience, skills, and modi operandi of actors and performance artists may be applied to preaching. This...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0687074231
• ISBN13: 9780687074235
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Homiletics At Their Best

There is simply no better guide to the performance of scripture and sermon out there. Childers' approach is simple, to the point and absolutely fundamental to anyone who wants to learn how to speak in front of a crowd, give sermons or read scripture. She uses frequent and poignant examples to make her point and draws extensively on her knowledge of theatre to show how this time-honored artform has direct applications for homileticians.

Authenticity Requires Intentionality

Looking at the title, traditional Christians may have a problem with the association of preaching with theater. Childers addresses this issue openly. She argues in her book that even though preaching is *not* acting, preaching can learn from actors. Childers believes that preaching is not merely sharing a sermon manuscript, but rather is a transforming and theological event. Unlike acting though, preaching is a serious matter that involves theology. The problem is that preachers often times lack passion. She quotes Thomas Betterton saying, "Actors speak of things imaginary as if they were real, while you preachers too often speak of things real as if they were imaginary." Theology is important to preaching-they work together in a "dialectical relationship, one shaping the other." (p. 25) Theology keeps preaching focused on matters of ultimate importance. There are three categories in defining the purpose of preaching: maintenance, persuasion, and encounter with God. Childers prefers the encounter model of preaching because she sees preaching as revealing God, even though this model does not exclude maintenance or persuasion. Rather than trying to argue people into heaven, we should use lively preaching so that listeners are not on the defensive and to help people feel free to change. Preachers have often focused too much on the manuscript at the expense of the actual preaching event. Preaching is an art form. According to Childers, the church often overlooks art as merely a tool to be used. We tend to think of art as novelty or propaganda. But art is more than that-it is the stuff of life. Preaching is an art form because it uncovers the ambiguities and incongruencies of life. Preaching and art both hold a "mirror up to life." Some elements of theater are applicable to preaching: 1) Actions (or movement), 2) Distance (prevents people from going on defensive), 3) Performance --One problem is that many people are concerned with preachers performing. But performing means to "carry though to completion" Paying attention to performance means increasing intentionality which heightens authenticity. Childers describes the three parts of the creative process in theological terms. The first phase is "Creation" which is when the preacher listens to what the text says. Incarnation is the second phase when the preacher joins with the text and becomes a third entity, just as the actor joins the script and becomes a new being. The third phase is "Transformation" which is a result of the union and changes the preacher. Childers reviews some exercises that preachers can use in training for performance. She emphasizes the importance of voice training. A lot of people think that voice training will make them sound fake, but she says that, "The goal of voice work, in fact, is quite the opposite: to uncover the best you, the most natural you." (p. 60) Following voice training is the subject of vocalics, or orchestration. Four elements of vocalics are r

Performing the word:Preaching as Theatre

This book is superb for all beginning homeletic students. Finally a book that gives us "How To" use our bodies, minds and Spirit to give excellent holy ghost filled preaching from a pulpit. This book is a breath of fresh air from all the theology filled "wannabe" preaching techniques. Thank you Ms.Childers for answering the prayers of a fellow minister.A must for every seminary student and Christian who looks forward to lively well presented sermons of the gospel. Bravo!!!Minister D.F.