The life experience of the preacher and its influence on effective preaching

Abstract

What influences ministers to use specific illustrations in their sermons? Does previous secular job experience or hobbies/interests have an effect? A study was done amongst ministers in the Mosselbay area. The following conclusions were made: The longer the minister had been in the ministry, the more diverse the illustrations used. Previous secular job experience had more diverse illustrations at an earlier age. Personal interests featured strongly in illustrations but training institutions had no real influence. Lady ministers had more personal/family orientated illustrations. People are naturally inquisitive to hear the lifestory of others and compare this to their own. The Bible is a book of many life stories illustrating God's involvement therein. The preacher should give contemporary illustrations understandable to the relevant congregation to show even in this modern world God's human face and merciful heart as He is involved in our lives.

Wat beinvloed predikante om spesif ieke illustrasies te gebruik in hul preke? Het vorige werksondervinding (nie-teologies)/belangstelling 'n invloed? 'n Studie was gedoen ender predikante in die Mosselbaai area. Die volgende afleidings is gemaak: Hoe langer 'n predikant in die bediening, hoe meer uiteenlopend die aard van illustrasies. Vorige werksondervinding gee meer diverse illustrasies op 'n jonger ouderdom. Persoonlike belangstellings kom sterk na vore maar spesifieke leerskole het nie 'n groot invloed op illustrasies nie. Dames predikante maak meer gebruik van persoonlike/familie georienteerde illustrasies. Die mens is van nature nuuskierig en wil sy eie lewensondervinding altyd vergelyk met sy medemens. Die Bybel is 'n boek van vele lewenservarings en God se invloed daarin. In die prediking van die Evangelie meet die prediker hedendaagse, toepaslike illustrasies gebruik relevant en verstaanbaar vir sy gehoor. So leer ons dat God steeds vandag met 'n menslike natuur en Godelike liefde in elke mens se lewe teenwoordig is en werk.