The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching

Becoming Responsible for the Faith We Proclaim

This ethics of preaching text identifies vices of irresponsible preaching practices. Preachers who fail to develop deep respect for their listeners or drift into a lack faithfulness to the Gospel can end up becoming:  

·        The Pretender (The Problem of In-authenticity)
·        The Egoist (The Problem of Self-absorption)
·        The Manipulator (The Problem of Greediness)
·        The Panderer (The Problem of  Trendiness)
·        The Crusader (The Problem of Exploitation)
·        The Demagogue (The Problem of  Self-righteousness)  

Just as the church historically derived its Seven Holy Virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, & humility) by naming Seven Deadly Sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, & pride), Reid and Hogan call preachers to turn away from pulpit vices and strive to realize the homiletic virtues of becoming:  

·        Authentic (The Call to Be Genuine)
·        Altruistic (The Call to Be Selfless)
·        Careful (The Call to Exercise Self-Control)
·        Passionate (The Call to Be Honest to God)
·        Courteous (The Call to Woo a Reasoned Reception)
·        A ‘Namer’ of God (The Call to Reveal an Ineffable God)   

The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching explores the difference between the irresponsible practices, unfortunate missteps, and mere unthinking mistakes in preaching. A chapter is devoted to Preaching Missteps (problems that do not rise to the level of being irresponsible) that includes: 
 
·        Short Changing the Process
·        Waving a Red Flag
·        Thou Shall Not Bore the Congregation
·        Through the Looking Glass Darkly
·        The Mumbler
·        TMI—Too Much Information
·        Your Cup Do Runneth Over
·        Where’s This Sermon Going, Anyway?