Set in two different churches, one at the end of a four year revitalization journey and one in the first six months, this project asks how preaching can be an integral part of the transformation process to revitalize churches in declining health. Using an inductive approach and drawing on the work of O. Wesley Allen, Anna Carter Florence, Barbara Lundblad, among others, four practices are identified and explored: 1) Move people from being Observers of the Word to Participants in the Word; 2) "Rehearse" the Word until people find their personal and group testimony; 3) Uncover and Address the Secrets, Toxic Beliefs and Internal Contradictions; 4) Clarify, Deepen and Articulate the Preacher's Christian Identity. These practices are linked to people's stories in the congregation.
