Persuasion, proclamation, and power: the role of language and rhetoric in sermon delivery

Sermons are integral to Christian worship, blending scriptural insights, moral guidance, and linguistic artistry to inspire and connect with congregations. This study examines sermonic discourse, focusing on how five pastors from various trinitarian denominations employ language and non-linguistic elements to foster spiritual engagement and community influence in the Philippines. Using a multimethod approach involving a literature review, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, the findings reveal that effective sermons are linguistically comprehensible, vivid, symbolic, and content-specific. Non-linguistic features, such as powerful voice projection, purposeful pauses, and impactful non-verbal cues, further enhance delivery. The findings also reveal that three central qualities—being Christ-centered, biblical, and simple—define the preparation and execution of a sermon. These elements make the sermon a unique and transformative communicative experience that requires meticulous preparation and thoughtful delivery. This study underscores the sermon as a distinctive communicative experience that requires deliberate preparation and delivery to meet doctrinal and congregational expectations.