Moving the sermon closer to the pew: how listening to the congregation changes preaching

One way in which preachers can help our listeners hear the sermon is for preachers to shift our perspective from the pulpit into the pew. By listening to what our listeners hear the preacher grows in understanding of why hearing happens, how the structure of his or her sermon affects hearing, and in knowledge of how that sermon is embodied in its presentation aids or distracts from hearing. This thesis presents examples of how the Congregation can effectively coach the preacher in those words and presentations which let God's Word be heard.