Homiletics and pastoral theology - Shedd - VIII - Chapter 6

Required reading
Homiletics and pastoral theology by William G T Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 6 (The different species of sermons).

My summary
Now Shedd tells us about different species of sermons.

Firstly Shedd explains that the topical sermon is a sermon in which there is but a single leading idea.  This idea sometimes itself finds a formal expression in a proposition, and sometimes it pervades the discourse as a whole, without being distinctly pre-announced.  Topical sermons are occupied with one definite subject, which can be accurately and fully stated in a brief title.

Secondly Shedd teaches us that the textual sermon is one in which the passage of Scripture is broken up, and either its leading words or its leading clauses become the heads of the discourse.

Thirdly Shedd explains that the expository sermon is an explanatory discourse.  The purpose of it is to unfold the meaning of a connected paragraph, or section of Scripture, in a more detailed manner than is consistent with the structure of either the topical or the textual sermon.

What grabbed me
I liked Shedd's point that all types of sermons should be utilised by the preacher: 'Having thus briefly sketched the characteristics of the three species of sermons, the question naturally arises: To what extent is each to be employed by the preacher?  The first general answer to this question is, that all the species should be employed, by every sermonizer without exception. No matter what the turn or temper of his mind may be, he should build upon each and every one of these patterns. If he is highly oratorical in his bent and spirit, let him by no means neglect the expository sermon. If his mental temperament is phlegmatic, and his mental processes naturally cool and unimpassioned, let him by no means neglect the topical sermon. It is too generally the case, that the preacher follows his tendency, and preaches uniformly one kind of sermons. A more severe dealing with his own powers, and a wiser regard for the wants of his audience, would lead to more variety in sermonizing. At times, the mind of the congregation needs the more stirring and impressive influence of a topical discourse, to urge it up to action. At others, it requires the instruction and indoctrination of the less rhetorical, and more didactic expositions of Scripture.'

The preacher shouldn't lock himself into always preaching one type of sermon.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 7 (The nature and choice of a text).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.