Preachers’ Progress Report Reveals Clear Path for Better Preaching

The cry goes up, “Better homilies!” But what does “better” mean? “Parishioners know what moves them and what they do not like in homilies, but to evaluate a homily in a constructive manner is often difficult,” says Bishop Gary Janak of San Antonio. Preachers need more than vague opinion as they are taught to get “better.” In the Preaching for Encounter program, we have clear and measurable standards for effectiveness and thus we are seeing statistically significant improvements. “What stands out for me [in this report] is the clarity and effectiveness of the evaluation forms, as well as the enthusiasm of the participants and the difference they believe the [Preaching for Encounter] program is having on their preaching.”

For more on the standards of effective preaching and how Catholic preachers have grown, see The Preachers’ Progress Report