Preaching in an Audio-Visual Age

Abstract

"After thirty years of making religiotisprogrammes for the electronic media, I still believe in preaching. It makes second class radio and third class television, but in the context of gathered worship and as a sacramental communication of truth there is nothing like the spoken monologue. Not that every pUlpit utterance meets these requirements. Some substitute sentimentality for sacramental ism, entertainment value for demanding truth or the persuasives of the propagandist for those of faith. Mistakes have been made. But when the word is spoken and heard as an audible bridge between heaven and earth, then there is no need to regret the absence of visual aids, musical backing, audience participation, mUlti-media fireworks or any other such diversion. "