institutionally or sociologically, but theologically and functionally. An institutional definition would present preaching in terms of buildings, pulpits and pews.1 A sociological definition would view preaching as a special kind of monologue fulfilling specific corporate expectations on the part of the group being addressed. Both types of definition are no doubt useful in their place; but if one is, or hopes to be, a preacher oneself, and wants to know what is involved in fulfilling the ministry