Every social, demographic and ministry characteristic has its own intrinsic set of values and commitments. What the preacher is seeking from these questions are the cultural points of reference, general values, mission and ministry commitments, and probable spiritual beliefs held by those to whom he or she will preach.

Good and noble values, biblical beliefs and attitudes and behaviors need to be supported and promoted. Affirmation of what is important to people will gain some access to their hearing and lives. If preachers understand what is important to the people to whom they preach and can join them in affirming the values, beliefs, and behaviors held dear, they will lend initial attentiveness to what else the preacher may have to say. In fact, an entire message could be framed around a "keep on keeping on" theme.

On the other hand, a congregation's current values, beliefs or behaviors may be spiritually, ethically, or morally askew. Perhaps a particular congregation needs to hear a desenting voice. Perhaps their collective beliefs or behaviors need to be challenged. Here is an opportunity for true "prophetic" preaching -- not harsh and condemning, but loving, corrective, redemptive.

The celebration of relationships with God and fellow saints are always needed and appreciated. Every congregation benefits from a periodic '"at-a-boy!" from persons outside of its fellowship. Here are rich possibilities for solid biblical "one shot" sermons.

Remembering the internal and external culture of a church will be helpful for sermon choice, preparation and delivery also. Words are important. Words have meaning. Nomenclature and illustrative material will either enhance or hinder intended and needed sennonic communication. For instance, the average farm community resident will likely have little interest in the origin of the Old Testament Umin and Thumin, but Jesus' stories about the sower and the seeds, a day's fair wage for a full and fair day of work, the needed early and late rains sent from God, laborers sought for the harvest, and the farm that owned a fool would immediately strike an understanding and responsive cord.

A young upwardly-mobile urban couple would not likely have great interest in where Cain and Able got their wives but would immediately be interested in God's laws for success or how to find peace without losing your mind or what God's Word has to say about rearing a strong-willed child. Jesus' stories about counting the cost before committing to discipleship would catch the hearing and heart of any mid-Life person pondering where to invest the mature years of life.

What can I surmise about the church?

There are both specific and non-specific inferences to be made about any church. Denominational affiliations will provide a hint. What particular beliefs, doctrines and behaviors does a particular church's denomination hold as true and appropriate?

Sermon content and the preaching style of a church's pastor may be a second hint. Is the congregation weekly served up a healthy sermonic portion of "hell fire and brimstone?" Are church attendees nurtured by repeated challenges to fashion a kingdom vision, to live as a growing disciple with openness and teachability, to personally be on mission and do ministry, to discover and appropriate each one's spiritual giftedness, or to address urgent social and spiritual needs in the world about them? Is the pastor-preacher "balanced" in his/her personal spiritual life, approach to ministry, and biblical interpretation? Is he known as a shepherd that provides pastoral care and encouragement through the preaching ministry? Is he/she an authentic Christian? These and similar questions are answered more by an acquaintance with the minister's reputation than a particular awareness of the church. All of this, however, hints at the nature and need of a particular congregation.