Warren
Puritan Board Freshman
I've heard many sermons, being in church all my life, moving quite a bit, listening over the radio and the internet, as well as reading them. Its plain that formula can vary, (maybe the book of Hebrews being the best prescription of all) but one... "style" which I wonder about is the use of jocular sarcasm.
Is sarcasm more caustic to the hearer than its use is worth? I've heard not a few sermons, which veered into what were obviously for amusement, and I felt uncomfortable laughing, even though the preacher wanted the laughs. Is this an effective tool for preaching in certain congregations or in particular passages? Likewise, I've been under preaching when something unintended for laughter became funny to many in the congregation, including myself.
I generally don't remember what came before or after the punchline, as my brain is wired for pleasure, like laughing, and the memory often colors the sermon, so no matter the subject, I'm happy and high, even if memory of the sermon and the funny stuff has faded. I just want to know if I've found something which is a common stumbling block, or if I've made a mountain of a mole hill... I likewise don't take notes during sermons, because it's distracting for me, yet a lot of folks are good listeners and note takers...
Is sarcasm more caustic to the hearer than its use is worth? I've heard not a few sermons, which veered into what were obviously for amusement, and I felt uncomfortable laughing, even though the preacher wanted the laughs. Is this an effective tool for preaching in certain congregations or in particular passages? Likewise, I've been under preaching when something unintended for laughter became funny to many in the congregation, including myself.
I generally don't remember what came before or after the punchline, as my brain is wired for pleasure, like laughing, and the memory often colors the sermon, so no matter the subject, I'm happy and high, even if memory of the sermon and the funny stuff has faded. I just want to know if I've found something which is a common stumbling block, or if I've made a mountain of a mole hill... I likewise don't take notes during sermons, because it's distracting for me, yet a lot of folks are good listeners and note takers...