“Every preacher is evaluated, one way or another, by every listener. I want to get evaluation that will help me be most effective in reaching people with God’s truth. I consider getting accurate evaluation part of my job. Constructive evaluation
won’t happen, though, no matter how willing I am to receive it, unless I’m asking the right people the right questions at the right time.” Bill Hybels, Mastering Contemporary Preaching pp. 154-155
Three questions emerge from this comment by Bill Hybels: Who are the right people? What are the right questions? and When is the right time?
1. Who are the right people?
a. People with great discernment whom you have learned to trust.
b. Hybels utilizes his elders at Willow Creek.
c. Haddon Robinson creates an “invisible congregation,” a group of six or seven specific people from different walks of life who ask questions and whose perspectives Robinson considers as he develops
his sermon. He notes that “while they do not know it, each of them contributes significantly to my sermon preparation.” Mastering Contemporary Preaching, p. 21.
d. I would suggest a blending of these two approaches: a cross-section, but of real people from the congregation: young adult, parent with small children, older adult, retiree…with a representative
blend of men and women from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds that reflects the diversity of your congregation.
2. What are the right questions?
a. Not, “Do you like me?” or even “How am I doing?”
b. Open ended questions that solicit specific and candid feedback regarding the effectiveness of your communication.
3. When is the right time?
a. Hybels suggests the post-sermon evaluation is somewhat useful. If post-sermon evaluation occurs, the sooner the better.
b. How much more productive to receive evaluation before you preach.
c. I agree. Any feedback is useful, but receiving feedback prior to preaching maximizes impact.
I want to suggest to you in this lecture, one mechanism for asking the right people the right questions at the right time. I refer to this mechanism as a sermon resource group.
A. Purpose
To share together with the preacher in the process of developing, delivering and evaluating effective biblical sermons. This enables the preacher to connect more effectively with the listeners.
B. Covenant
1. genuineness
2. presentness
3. unconditional positive regard
4. supportive psychological environment
C. Pre-sermon session
1. Purpose
To gather insights to aid in preparation and delivery of biblical sermons that are clear, interesting and relevant.
2. Format
a. Manuscript provided to participants prior to the meeting. Session held early in the week.
b. Issues to be addressed:
(1) what concerns do you have about this topic?
(2) what questions do you have about the text?
(3) how does this issue apply to your life?
(4) what is the most effective way to present this biblical concept?
(5) what illustrations come to mind which shed light on this issue?
3. Hybels notes that pre-sermon feedback “has saved me so many times from saying something I would regret later..” He continues by affirming “I have reached the point where I wouldn’t want to preach without
it.” p. 160
4. In addition to providing feedback for individual sermons, pre-sermon sessions can also aid in the development of the sermon year. What Scripture passages should be covered? What topics should be discussed?
D. Post-sermon session
1. Purpose
To review evaluations and feedback after listening to the sermon in order to improve sermon effectiveness.
2. Format
a. A simple form is provided to SRG members for sermon evaluation. This form is brought to the post-sermon session.
b. Issues to be addressed:
(1) Was the sermon clear?
(a) if so, how? What was the homiletical idea?
(b) if not, what was the problem? How can we increase clarity?
(2) Was the sermon interesting?
(a) if so, how? What specifically helped maintain your interest?
(b) if not, what made it boring? How can it become more interesting?
(3) Did the sermon make an impact on your life?
(a) if so, in what ways was your understanding, attitude or behavior affected?
(b) if not, how can we strengthen application and increase impact?
c. Hybels filters all of the post-sermon evaluations through one person who is sensitive.
A. Benefits
1. A Preaching Calendar helps the preacher to look at the big picture.
a. Are you preaching the wholecounsel of God?
b. Is your preaching reaches the various groups within your congregation?
2. A Preaching Calendar saves time.
a. Less time is wasted on a weekly basis trying to discover a passage or theme for the week.
b. Advanced planning is easier when you know your preaching
calendar for the coming year.
3. A Preaching Calendar is helpful in planning the worship service.
a. Worship leaders can plan ahead.
b. Community can be invited to up-coming series.
B. The Process
1. Give a select group from your congregation a 30-day assignment,
a. Talk to other church members, friends and neighbors regarding felt needs. What sermons would they like to hear?
b. Develop suggested sermon series based on feedback.
2. Bring sermon planning group together for feedback session.
a. Listen to a report from each group member.
b. Write suggestions on a board.
c. Notice themes that emerge.
d. Develop a rough draft of potential sermon series for the year.
3. Solicit feedback from leadership team.
a. Review suggestions of sermon planning group.
b. Make deletions and additions based on needs of congregation and community.
c. Develop a revised draft of Preaching Calendar.
4. Take time for prayer and reflection.
a. Go on a prayer retreat and review the Preaching Calendar.
b. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you make revisions.
c. Develop a final draft of the Preaching Calendar.
C. The Follow-Up
1. Develop a file for each sermon series/each sermon.
2. Recognize that changes will occur in the Preaching Calendar.
a. A major event in your church or community may necessitate the addition of a sermon on a specific theme.
b. A Preaching Calendar that remains 90% intact is better than no preaching calendar at all!