Based upon my reading about the different scholars, it is clear that McDill and
these writers have similarities when it come to breaking down a text especially
when trying to make relative presentations to an audience. According to my
research “Simeon’s thoughts on preaching is that he was a pastor who wanted his
sermons to make a real difference to his listeners” (Forrest, 2019, p. 40). This is
something that McDill wanted as well which is why preaching while being a
critical thinker went along way especially it comes to approaching the obvious in
the text as well as what is possibly hidden in the text. For example, using
figurative wording to bring relevancy to those who were listening allowed the
audience to expand in thought of reflection which is why according to research
the author advised “I need a way to find the texts that will help with my text”
(McDill, 2015, p. 53). This meant if he was going to be an effective preacher, then
spending time with the text will be the best way for this to happen which is how
people like Charles Simon displayed one general rule, and that was to
demonstrate how texts should be treated naturally (Forrest, 2019, p. 39). This
model played an important role when it came to the type of message McDill
wanted to preach. This philosophy of having a solid theological and homiletical
approach when delivering the message would bring the message more to life as
far as substance goes. This would also create more things for preachers to bring
out in the text which would also help sharpen their skill when it came to sermon
preparation. McDill as well as the other preachers felt the need to have things like
small group Bible sessions so they could fellowship with other preachers so they
could bounce their ideas and thoughts on the text as well what type of audience
approach would help them. According to my research McDill believed that
“sermon material functions in four ways: explanation, illustration, argumentation,
and application (McDill, 2015, p. 3). All of these preachers possess this quality
because they believed that if they prepare the way they need to, then they would
get the results when it came to the responses of those who they were preaching
to. During this development they all would gain an understanding of could help
them as well those that would be listening find something in the text they might
have seen been before, or could possibly rise some critical tension. McDill along
with these preachers felt it would be possible and necessary to study the text as
well as get other references to compound with what they had discovered in the
text. All these things made their preaching moment a enjoyable one for those who
needed to hear the Gospel.
McDill, Walter, (2015), 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. B & H
Publishing Group (p. 3.)
Forrest, Benjamin K. (2019). c A Legacy of Preaching, Volume Two: Enlightenment
to the Present Day. (p. 31).
