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). A Legacy of Preaching, Volume Two:
Enlightenment to the Present Day. (p. 31).
