Preaching As Counselling: Engaging the theory of Harry Emerson Fosdick for Pastoral Preaching in Africa

Abstract

This paper is titled “Preaching as Counselling: Engaging the Theory of Harry Emerson Fosdick for Pastoral Preaching in Africa.” While some consider preaching and counselling as two different responsibilities of a pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick forged a nexus between the two by theorising that preaching, rather than being “expository” should be a life-situation event. Using a simple qualitative approach, the study enumerated the elements of Fosdick’s theory of “preaching as counselling” which are that preaching should be congenial, convicting, transmissible and practicable. The theory can be faulted on the ground that Fosdick possessed a lopsided view of what expository preaching genuinely entails. Yet, it offers a lot of insights into what African preachers can do to lighten up their pulpits and address the existential needs of their congregations. The study therefore recommended that preachers should let their preaching focus on existential problems as much as is needed, apply biblical texts to practical life-situations, and let their sermons engender all-round church growth.

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