Program

Doctor of Ministry

Year Approved

2018

First Advisor

Esposito, Jason

Abstract

The problem this project addressed is the limitation of the sermon as a catalyst for spiritual growth in Millennials due to the static nature of the sermon as a means for communicating the gospel and the significant differences in the Millennial cohort compared to previous generations. In response to this problem the researcher studied the principles of contextualization exhibited in the sermons of Peter and Paul recorded in Acts. He reviewed literature related to the unique characteristics of Millennials, including how they learn and interact with faith, and the missiological concept of contextualizing the gospel to cultures where it is unfamiliar. The researcher interviewed three preachers identified as communicators whose sermons are effective in fostering Millennials’ spiritual growth, and he surveyed Millennials in those three churches to determine if the way they experience their preachers and their sermons matched their preachers’ intentions. With the findings extracted from the data the researcher identified five principles preachers can adopt to increase the effectiveness of their sermons in fostering spiritual growth in the Millennials who listen to them. Sunday morning in America is a cross-cultural experience for most Millennials and they cannot hear the gospel unless it is contextualized to their unique generational characteristics. This project sought to provide preachers with tools to better enable them to preach more palatable and profitable sermons for the Millennials who fill their pews.

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

Document Type

Doctoral thesis

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