LE3 .A278 2006

2006

Wilson, Paul Scott

Acadia University

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min.

Ministry

Acadia Divinity College

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a methodology for preaching at funerals in a manner that is both faithful to the Christian gospel and responsive to the sensitivities of the culture and times in which we live. The first chapter contains a theological examination of the Christian hope in the face of death. In this chapter it is concluded that the funeral sermon is faithful to the gospel when the preacher seeks to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as the basis for hope and comfort in the face of death and grief. It is through the resurrection of Christ that we can experience eternal life, and that we look forward to relief from sufferings and to reunion with those who have gone on before us. In the second chapter, a comparison is drawn between a collection of sermons that were published in 1884, and a collection of sermons from the early years of the 21st century. The research involved in contrasting the sermons in these two collections is quantitative by nature because the differences, such as the length of the sermon, the number of scripture references contained in the sermon, and the number of references to the person of the deceased contained in the sermon, were measurable. In comparison with the earlier era, today's preacher has far less time during the funeral service in which to offer his or her sermon. Further, the advent of the memorial service, the change of venue, and the reduction of infant mortality, have all had a role in ushering in a more celebratory mood at funeral services in the early 21st century. These forces then combine to make addressing the topic of death less desirable at the modern funeral service. This presents a particular challenge, because the research also concludes that those who identify death as the enemy are more likely to successfully proclaim the hope of the resurrection. In contrast with the funeral congregations in the late 18th century, today's funeral congregation also seems Biblically illiterate. Today's preacher makes far fewer references to scripture in the body of the sermon than his/her counterpart one hundred and twenty years ago. Further, the sermons of the earlier era were bereft of references to the life or character of the deceased, while today's sermons are often infused with the same. All of these changes present significant challenges for the preacher seeking to effectively communicate the Christian hope in the funeral sermon. In the third chapter, qualitative research in the form of interviews and questionnaires with both funeral directors and clergy are examined and analyzed in the hope of discovering strategies to help clergy respond to the challenges of preaching at funerals. The fourth chapter explores the use of imagination and metaphor as important literary tools in the proclamation of the gospel. It is concluded that imagination is an important aspect of faith, and further that metaphor is a resurrection-like device which enables the preacher to raise the hearers to higher levels of understanding. Today's funeral congregation is usually unfamiliar with the scriptures and with the traditions of the church. It is therefore difficult to hold their attention by exegeting certain Biblical texts. In chapter five it is concluded that, at times, the preacher must seek to base the funeral sermon on an exegesis of the deceased. It is the clergy's task to seek out metaphors or stories from the life of the deceased which will enable the effective proclamation of Christ's resurrection.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3086