Monologue Preaching
I was discussing with a friend recently how I really have to admit that I hate sermons. My friend seemed to feel they were probably biblical, although, to be fair, we did not discuss it much. Anyway, my wife did some quick research on the subject. I think that the facts she dug up generally show that the modern form of monologue preaching is not supported by the Bible or history. I was going to try to write up a convincing article myself, based on these facts, but since I get paid to administer Unix servers and not to write, I’ll just dump the facts onto this Unix server that Xanga runs for us and let you decide for yourself to agree with me. 
So, in brief:
Deffinition of the word “sermon:”
The word “sermon” comes from a Middle English word which was derived from an
Old French term, which in turn came from the Latin word sermō;
(”discourse”). (Actually, it meant “conversation”, and early sermons were
delivered in the form of question and answer, only later did it come to mean
a monologue)
From Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon ):
The sermon takes center stage in Protestantism:
“Later the Reformation led to Protestant sermons, many of which defended the
schism with the Roman Catholic Church and explained beliefs about scripture,
theology and devotion. Since the distinctive doctrines of Protestantism held
that salvation was by faith alone, and convincing people to believe the
Gospel and place trust in God for their salvation through Jesus Christ was
the decisive step in salvation, in Protestantism the sermon and hymn came to
replace the Eucharist as the central act of Christian worship. To rouse
deeper faith in the churchgoers, rather than have them partake in a ritual,
was the goal of Protestant worship conditioned by these beliefs.”
Greek deffinition:
Gk 1256 (what Paul was doing while Eutychus fell asleep [quite literally])
1) to think different things with one’s self, mingle thought with thought
a) to ponder, revolve in mind
2) to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss
From http://www.anabaptistnetwork.com/node/321
“Early Anabaptist congregations were distinguished from their Catholic or
Reformed contemporaries by the much greater freedom their members had to
participate actively in a learning community. There were monologue sermons,
but often a number of people made contributions. Questions were invited and
discussion took place. Gradually, as the tradition developed, a reversion to
the dominance of monologue preaching can be observed, but echoes of a more
communal approach remain, together with a conviction that God speaks through
many people, sharing their gifts and perspectives in a multi-voiced
community.”
From http://www.anabaptistnetwork.com/book/export/html/306
“Although the Anabaptists did not abandon sermons, they were wary of
monologues and critical of the lack of participation in the Catholic and
Protestant churches around them. They were outspoken about this issue and
argued from Scripture that something was wrong. An early Anabaptist tract
quoted Paul in I Corinthians 14 urging that all should contribute when the
church met together and complained: ‘When some one comes to church and hears
only one person speaking, and all the listeners are silent…who can or will
regard or confess the same to be a spiritual congregation?’ The reformers
had proclaimed the priesthood of all believers but the Anabaptists, their
contemporaries, were not impressed with what they found in the reformers’
churches. The monopoly of the Catholic priest seemed to have been replaced
by the monopoly of the reformed preacher. Experts were still disempowering
the congregation and hindering it from becoming mature.
Many Anabaptist congregations consciously moved away from the monologue
tradition towards a more interactive style with multiple participation and
dialogue.”
Other articles on the subject:
An emergent view:
http://www.anabaptistnetwork.com/node/356
Good article from an ex-Anglican:
http://www.anabaptistnetwork.com/node/157
Notes for The Problem with Preaching(with Biblical footnotes):
http://www.the-next-wave-ezine.info/issue93/index.cfm?id=16&ref=ARTICLES_DOING%20CHURCH_254
