’n Beperkte empiriese ondersoek van kreatiewe prediking in die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika

Abstract

A limited empirical research project on creative preaching in the Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika (Reformed Churches in South Africa; GKSA)

The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of creative preaching and to investigate this aspect of preaching as practised in the Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika. For this purpose an empirical research project in the field of Practical Theology was undertaken, and certain conclusions were drawn after the responses had been analysed. Guidelines of the Likert Scale were applied as measuring instrument to gauge the level and success rate of creative preaching in the GKSA, and to indicate possible new perspectives in this regard. The outcome of this research project was, however, that only an unsatisfactory percentage of the respondents experienced the verbal expressions used by preachers as clear, plain and communicative. Respondents indicated that complicated facts of faith are not always explained satisfactorily and in a concrete way by making use of metaphors and figurative language. Consequently, these respondents experienced a lack of meaning in public worship, and inter alia ascribed it to the use of sometimes incomprehensible language that does not carry sufficient clarity of expression. In this regard a serious rift can develop between the preacher and members of the congregation as far as dialogue (interaction) in the worship service is concerned.