Experimenting with Form in Preaching: a preaching workshop

Form is primarily concerned with the structure of a text, rather than style or content. It is closely related to the literary idea of genre. Many of us have a default form or structure that is our 'go-to' for creating a sermon, particularly under the pressure of a Sunday deadline. But how often do we stop to consider alternatives? This workshop explores how we can vary the literary forms we use in preaching to provide fresh perspectives for our preaching and variety for our congregations. We will look at the variety of literary forms within the Bible itself, and discuss how to choose an appropriate form for any given sermon. This workshop will survey expository, epistolary, narrative, monologue, dialectic, lyrical, visual and other forms. We will take a look at a variety of sermons and have an opportunity to try out some techniques, with the option to share our experiments with others.

This workshop will be led by The Revd Martin Little, Vicar of St John the Evangelist in the town of Highbridge, a small church in an area of significant social deprivation within the beautiful county of Somerset. Martin studied History of Art at The University of Edinburgh, and completed an MA in Theology, Ministry, and Mission at Cranmer Hall in Durham in 2017, where he was taught by the biblical scholar Professor Walter Moberly and The Revd Dr Kate Bruce. After a short-lived stint in banking, he spent ten years in youth and music ministry before ordination in the Church of England. Together with The Revd Jo Stobart, Martin is part of the initiative Grass Roots Theology, bringing free open-access theology days to locations around Somerset.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

BS9 1JP, Trinity Theological College, Bristol, United Kingdom