Six Deadly Sins of Preaching

This ethics of preaching text identifies vices of irresponsible preaching practices. Preachers who fail to develop deep respect for their listeners or drift into a lack faithfulness to the Gospel can end up becoming: * The Pretender (The Problem of In-authenticity) * The Egoist (The Problem of Self-absorption) * The Manipulator (The Problem of Greediness) * The Panderer (The Problem of Trendiness) * The Crusader (The Problem of Exploitation) * The Demagogue (The Problem of Self-righteousness) Just as the church historically derived its Seven Holy Virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, & humility) by naming Seven Deadly Sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, & pride), Reid and Hogan call preachers to turn away from pulpit vices and strive to realize the homiletic virtues of becoming: * Authentic (The Call to Be Genuine) * Altruistic (The Call to Be Selfless) * Careful (The Call to Exercise Self-Control) * Passionate (The Call to Be Honest to God) * Courteous (The Call to Woo a Reasoned Reception) * A 'Namer' of God (The Call to Reveal an Ineffable God) The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching explores the difference between the irresponsible practices, unfortunate missteps, and mere unthinking mistakes in preaching. A chapter is devoted to Preaching Missteps (problems that do not rise to the level of being irresponsible) that includes: * Short Changing the Process * Waving a Red Flag * Thou Shall Not Bore the Congregation * Through the Looking Glass Darkly * The Mumbler * TMI-Too Much Information * Your Cup Do Runneth Over * Where's This Sermon Going, Anyway?