PREACHING AS CATALYST OF CHURCH RENEWAL

Abstract

<p>This thesis treats the theories of communication and dialogue and their application to preaching. It is contended that preaching as a two-way encounter is an effective means of communicating the gospel for the renewal of the local church. Chapter I is confined to an examination of the theory of communication as it applies to preaching. Chapter II expounds the principles of dialogue and indicates the relevance of their application to the preaching process. Chapter III discusses Robert A. Raines' experiment in church renewal at Germantown Methodist Church, Germantown, Pennsylvania, in which preaching has been employed extensively. Chapter IV presents the positive evidence for the important place of preaching in church renewal taking place under the leadership of Wallace E. Fisher, minister of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.</p>