Performance Study in Service to the Spoken Word in Worship

Chapter 12, Charles L. Bartow, “Performance Study in Service to the Spoken Word in Worship” pp. 211-223

Bartow observes that performance study has been used to analyze all sorts of speech and other transmission of knowledge. While the analyses may or may not be of use we should not dismiss them too quickly. In considering preaching we must consider the text to which we are accountable. God has revealed himself in the Bible. Through this written Word of God and the living Word of God we are transformed. Thus we must be faithful to the Lord as revealed in Scripture. All our work reflects this reality. Preaching therefore draws attention not to itself but to God. All our use of presentations, rhetoric, and technology is to direct hearts and minds to Jesus as revealed in the Bible. As we do this we must remain sensitive to the tools we use.