I love the things you have done in revolution … do you ever post what you do as you gather together. I follow your blog, but sharing those kinds of ideas would be great … i am sure others would be interested. Thanks for inspiring me!

1. We spent our teaching time a couple months ago where I spent about 10 minutes talking about the plight of the persecuted church. We spent the rest of the time praying and writting letters to those in prison, or to governments asking for their release. Our teaching time only goes 30 minutes anyway, so this one went longer and it was well worth it. We all now have a better understanding, clearer insight, and a bigger heart for our brothers and sisters around the world.

2. We have a prayer station every week to kick off the service and I forgot one morning. We were meeting in what is kind of like a dormatory basement so I ran upstairs found some games and I brought down some chess pieces. Everyone picked a piece and we played some music and prayed while examining our piece and meditated on how that piece relates or does no relate ot our identity in Christ. It wasn’t even the topic of the day, but we could have stopped then and learned a lot as everyone shared their insight.

3. Just this last Sunday we had a discussion on racial reconcilliation by a dear friend who also did more of a straight teaching the week before. The combination of the two weeks (teaching - very anointed) plus the discussion which spilled over into a lunch really made an impact on all of us. It went beyond a, “Yeah we should do something” to a “What can we do?” The teaching brought revelation of Gods heart, but the discussion and food (love the food thing) brought action.

Long post. Sorry.

We only remember 10% of what we hear after 30 days. But we remember 80% of what we particpate in and 90% of what we teach. (I think discussion is like 40%)
So what are ways in which a teacher can help others particpate and teach?

We need to do a bit of work on number 2 (we are looking in to posting mp3’s on our website) but otherwise we could start straight away.

Thanks for the suggestion.

1 - blog a summary of the preach

2 - have a link to the audio, notes, and overhead PP if available.

3 - allow folk to post comments and so feedback

4 - most importantly, advertise and plug the blog, encouraging folks to use it as a first place of response.

5 - read the blog and follow up on questions either within the blog, privately, or during the next public meeting if appropriate.

I would imagine less mature Christians would feel apprehensive about approaching a speaker to ask questions. The web would be a good place to encourage feedback.

We’ve also had a variety of interactive activities - from chucking balls of string around to show how people are connected to each other in church to writing down confessions for shredding or to be prayed over.

Good question re feedback loops. They are there, but tend to be with maturer Christians. It is good for my learning and ongoing conversation. What it doesn’t always engage is younger christians.

Having said all, i have just been away with some of the students in the church for a weekend, and we did lots of hanging out & talking, having fun etc, but also some worship, prayer, and teaching / discussion. i led a session on guidance, and really enjoyed the interactive nature of the session and the ongoing conversations that continued during the weekend. This is moving towards something that i am desiring for preaching.

What happens in your church Paul?

I’m just wondering rupert but as a preacher what are your feedback loops like [besides your wife ;)]?

Good practical points too about how we get more engagemtment into preaching. I have tried questions once or twice … scary, but good stuff!

- I think one of the problems is the way that church preaching is kind of tacked onto the end of the service, often in a way that prevents people properly responding, either in mind, heart, or spirit. Historically I believe preaching the word was done near the beginning of the service, giving an opportunity for people to respond throughout the remainder of the service. I understand that this format was/is used by Jews in Synagogue worship.

- I am inspired by the way preaching works in Mars Hill Seattle. There, its at the beginning of the service, after the opening hymn/song. The rest of the service is shaped as a response to the sermon, which is always challenging. In that way the preaching is integrated into the worship, allowing prayer, bread&wine and singing to be a response TO the word. I find this really works.

- I think there are other ways we can respond as well. Often after a preach I have a host of questions. Having a question and answer time after the talk would sometimes be a great idea.

- Other times I think its appropriate to move into “ministry” after a talk, especially if difficult personal issues have been raised.

I’ve read elsewhere that there is somewhat of a crisis occurring in Western Christianity when it comes to discipleship and accountability. I believe this is one context where we can grow together.

Finally, I have grown amazingly from simply listening to sermons online. Our own small group would be able to testify to the power of traditional preaching. However, one thing that we do is that we always discuss the preach afterwards. I find this really helps process the talk and as a group figure out what we believe. Often we finish in prayer, again, relating to the issues of the preach.

So, in summary, I think the main problem with monologue is the lack of appropriate context to introduce response and dialogue.