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