Why is it that some sermons can meet all of the criteria on a typical evaluation (crit’) sheet in a preaching class or homiletics lab, and yet they are boring and ineffective?  And why is it that some of the greatest preachers and sermons violate half of the ‘hallowed’ homiletical rules?  I think one reason is that the evaluation sheets stand in need of being evaluated!

After being perplexed with this for years at Christ Seminary (in Polokwane) I eventually crafted a simplified critique sheet that would be more helpful in discerning between good and bad preaching.  This helped to frame our class discussions and feedback after each sermon, steering us away from thinking that perfect structure alone is what makes or breaks the sermon (That kind of thinking is about like saying that you know a horse is healthy when you can see its whole skeleton!).

[Please realize that this list emerges from, and assumes that one is grounded in, the key biblical texts which outline the preacher’s job description:  Ezra 7:10; Neh. 8; Mal. 2:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:15; 4:2; 1 Pet. 4:11.  In my preaching class, this sheet was only introduced after weeks of laying the exegetical foundation for defining what true expository preaching is and is not.]

1. Was the Word of God clearly explained to you in such a way that you now understand the original author’s meaning and purpose in this passage? Write it out in your own words in 1-2 sentences:   (20 pts.)

2. Describe how the Word of God was directly applied to you in such a way that you are convinced of God’s message (promise, command, etc.) to you from this specific passage:   (20 pts.)

3. Was the Word of God preached to you in such a dynamic, passionate, interesting way that you were motivated to understand it and obey it?  Or were you bored, confused, or distracted by the preacher?  Please describe:   (20 pts.)

4. How well did the preacher use homiletical tools? Such as:  a good introduction?; a memorable thesis/purpose/summary statement?; a clear outline?; effective illustrations and word pictures?; a good conclusion?  (20 pts.)

5. How was his body language (gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, or any other mannerisms)?  Did it contribute to the message or detract from it?  (20 pts.)

– Tim Cantrell, President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Shepherds’ Seminary Afric