Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

A PREACHER AS AN AUTHOR OF A HOMILY. Homiletic and legal aspects.
Summary
Prophet of the Highest, Christ`s witness, competent word of God servant – these terms are used to define the preacher in literature. However, homily is understood as the word of God inside preacher`s humane word. From the theological point of view it is the result of specific but also individual preacher`s composition. In present essay, after introduction theological basis of preacher`s mission, homily issues were discussed as the result of creative work and also selected legal aspects related to the homily authorship were mentioned.

INVISIBLE FACTORS OF INTERACTION AT THE PULPIT. Context for the preacher.
Summary
In his article the author points at a triple context in which preaching takes place and to which a special attention should therefore be drawn. In the process of preaching an important role is played by a social-and-ecclesial as well as media environment, personal factors of a preacher and an attitude of listeners to whom preaching is addressed. When it comes to issues affecting environment, the author analyses opinions obtained while diagnosing a cultural heritage, impact of mass-media on language as well as internal Church aspects. A preacher should, according to the author, have the following skills: ability of a matter-of-fact attitude towards life problems, ability to deal with methodology issues, richness of personality features, ability to deal with institutional issues. A preacher with the above mentioned skills will be able to come to terms with a temptation of activism, idealising many issues and use of methods based on fear.

PREACHER’S STAGE FREIGHT. Characteristics and how to control it.
Summary
Phenomenon of a stage freight – no matter how we define it – is a common problem also experienced by preachers. Specific features of preachers’ stage freight is related to its theological connotations. Its source, most of all, is an awareness of the duty to preach the Gospel and priestly responsibility for the Word of God mixed with anxiety of being unworthy of the mission bestowed upon them and an ordinary human fear of failure and embarrassment. Since the sources of preachers’ stage freight are of a theological character, it is also mainly a supernatural level on which it should be dealt with - through prayer, development of a preacher’s spiritual life, openness to the Holy Spirit as well as a constant care of a proper, preliminary and final, preparation for preaching. When it comes to an anthropological dimension it is important for a preacher to develop an internal balance between an emotional tension and a thoughtful assessment of one’s abilities – through affecting a psychic and somatic sphere by an autosuggestion and relaxation techniques. Nevertheless a preacher should remember that a moderate stage freight is almost a necessary phenomenon, since an optimal level of a psychic tension (for a specific person) is good for one’s readiness. After all, what kind of a preacher it would be, if he lacked passion and involvement while preaching!

SIMPLICITY, COMPLEXITY AND TRIPLE UNITY OF A SERMON.
Summary
The author points at an immense importance of a character and skills of a specific preacher in preaching the Word of God. A sermon is embedded in the aura of a triple unity, i.e. is characterised by the following three dimensions: homiletic, rhetorical and spiritual. The last one contributes to the fact that each sermon is exclusively related to prayer. In the content and structure of prayer one can sometimes find a surprising rhetorics, which is a rhetorics of persuasion (while praying we wish to persuade God to fulfil our wishes). Oratio therefore is a prayer similar to a rhetorical utterance.

The Preacher’s Jitters
Summary
The jitters as a fear of public speech is spreading over many people – including the preachers.
This article is based mainly on the rhetoric and homiletic publications of German author Albert Damblon. The problem of the jitters isn’t noted in the contemporary Polish homiletics.
The author of the article has talked over the term, signs and reasons causing that the jitters occurs – and then has presented different ways to counteract it. The preacher should accept this form of anxiety and use it in a creative way. The main way to counter the effects of jitters is the careful preparation of homily, sermon, conference. Very important is also the spiritual preparation that includes prayer and meditation. The jitters has also its theological dimension. So turning to the hearers with true love and carying about their spiritual welfare the preacher will draw the light and power from Divine Spirit – allowing him to improve the Divine Word ministry and overcome the jitters.