CHALLENGES TO TRADITIONAL PREACHING PRACTICE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY AND MEDIA
CHALLENGES TO TRADITIONAL PREACHING PRACTICE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY AND MEDIA

Author(s): Ventsislav Popivanov
Subject(s): Education, Media studies, Communication studies, Theology and Religion, Theory of Communication
Published by: Editura Eikon
Keywords: Preaching; Homiletics; Practical Theology; Eastern Christian Orthodoxy; Bulgarian Orthodox Church; Media Communication;
Summary/Abstract: Pastoral art of homiletics is basic for church mission among faithful believers, newcomers and whole people, country and society. Preaching is ancient traditional church practice, but at the same time, it is a communication with earthly church of every particular place and time. Individual characteristics of preaching the Gospel are central, including some theological interpretation, sacred historical narrative, common spiritual advice and examples from the life of the faith community. Priests usually learn and practice preparation and delivering of homilies in the mature stages of their vocational theological education. What clergy delivers solemnly from the pulpit and in the media in a form of sacred artistic speech with special rhythm and contents, has to clearly orient people in their belief and confession, to consolidate particular denominational unit, and internally enlighten every single present soul to God. Every ordinary priest is called every day to lead his flock to salvation by simple steps that had been undertaken and developed by generation of ordained predecessors. As the determination of homilies to open distribution nowadays is the same as in the past and in the future, this paper discusses the effectiveness of preaching, based on sources from church heritage, and demands of life.

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