(Source:here)
Early Anabaptist congregations were distinguished from their Catholic or Reformed contemporaries by the much greater freedom their members had to participate actively in a learning community. There were monologue sermons, but often a number of people made contributions. Questions were invited and discussion took place. Gradually, as the tradition developed, a reversion to the dominance of monologue preaching can be observed, but echoes of a more communal approach remain, together with a conviction that God speaks through many people, sharing their gifts and perspectives in a multi-voiced community.
In this section we offer resources for reflection on alternatives to the monologue sermon.
The guy who thinks he is supposed to get paid is not going to like this idea one bit!
I would love to go back to a discussion model and have the monologue every now and then – we start off in time with such great ideas and we then become way to legalistic.
I also learn best in a discussion model rather than a monologue. When I wasn’t working on Sundays I would attend church but I am a very bad note taker and I always end up falling asleep or dozing off even though I get a good nights sleep.
I stumbled across this site by looking for things on dressing modestly and the blog said it moved here. I’ve read a few posts and really like what it says.
Hey Rosemerrie,
Thanks for the comments. I think the best way to learn is in discussion, but many will say that can wait till small groups.
Lionel-
Have you had opportunity to see this style/type of teaching in action? I have tentatively been researching simple church/home church here in H Town and have seen what I would describe as traditional church conducted inside someone’s home and not the interactive/participatory gathering described in scripture.
Finding an established gathering that I feel comfortable with is going to be harder than I imagined.
Any suggestions or insights?
Blessings.
Hutch,
Yes I actually taught this way three weeks ago. About an hour and a half at my local congregation.
Well, it is a bit of a commute but would be a field trip worth going on! Grin.
The “traditional church” you have been attending seems to be very non-traditional in a lot of ways. The leadership there seems to be very loving and accomodating. What a blessing.
I keep meaning to shoot you an e-mail regarding a experience I had with a “home church” leader here in Houston, but I keep forgetting.
I will try to get that out to you next week.
Hutch,
Shoot me an email let me know brother.