Preaching in the Uniting Church in Australia

The reformed tradition of the Christian Church maintains a strong link between the proclamation of the gospel and leadership of the gathered worshipping community, so preachers are expected to be aware of the strong relationship between worship and preaching. They are also encouraged to assist communities of faith in making those links clear.

There is a habit in the Uniting Church of describing its heritage

as “catholic, reformed and evangelical”.

(Andrew Dutney, November 2008, “Introducing the Uniting Church in Australia”)

Preaching in the UCA is underpinned by these understandings.

To be uniting, means to be conscious of the ‘universal’ possibilities in being Church. We are not alone. Not only is God with us, but we are conscious of our relationships with the faithful of all times and places. Our preaching, therefore, must be mindful of the faith that is shared across the Christian tradition.

To be reformed, meanse that we will be open to being reformed by our engagement with the living Word – Jesus Christ. We know him in and through a range of activities, in particular, the gospel of Christ proclaimed. Preaching, therefore, reflects our expectation that the Spirit of God will work through the activity of proclamation and response to enable transformation in individuals and communities. Both the Assembly and Synod of NSW-ACT have adopted as part of their mission statements the phrase, ‘transforming communities’.

To be evangelical, means to expect God’s power to be evident in healing and transforming broken lives and societies. Dutney points out that the evangelical movement has been characterised by the encouraging and mentoring of lay people for leadership and ministry.

Preaching in the UCA is found in many different forms and styles. Being Uniting means that we embrace a variety of expressions of proclamation. To this end, Lay Preachers are encouraged to undertake Continuing Education that exposes them to ‘being stretched’ as preachers, hopefully encountering new and exciting ways of hearing and communicating.

Preparing Worship Leaders involves:

• developing an overview of worship

• getting glimpses of the traditions that shape public worship

• consider the limits – what is essential for worship to be worship?

• explore resources and how to use them

• develop skills in reading and interpreting biblical texts

• develop skills in preparing and presenting a sermon

• consider alternative forms of proclamation within worship

• make supportive connections with other lay people seeking to expand their understanding of the Christian faith