Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art

A one-of-a-kind, this book is helpful to those doing research into the values of a particular congregation's culture in order to discern how to best preach to a particular people. Tisdale helps pastors do their own ethnographic cultural analysis by looking at such intangibles as symbols and stories in order to determine what is valued and has meaning for folks and in order to determine what kind of sermon will best preach the gospel to various types of congregations. Where the book falls short is in helping pastors discern how to preach against a particular congregation's values when they are at odds with the gospel the pastor was ordained to preach, which makes this a more pastoral book, perhaps to the detriment of the prophetic calling pastors also have.

Tisdale's book helps pastors to be better contextual preachers. She guides them in exegeting their congregations and in preaching sermons vis-a-vis that exegesis. Many of us preachers know that we are supposed to preach contextually, but we learn this lesson in seminary, where the context is very different from that of our congregations. Tisdale helps us to pay more attention to our parishioners and preach to THEM.Her book contains an abundance of useful lists and suggestions. It is easy but enlightening reading.