Discourse and message dynamics in the sermons of major African-American mega-churches

The present study utilizes two conceptual approaches to the sermon: an analysis of the style features and a thematic analysis. The first conceptual approach is of the style features of several researchers in African American rhetoric, language, and sociolinguistics. The following styles and definitions are a compilation of what was found in their research. This research focuses on five themes: call and response, rhythmic pattern, spontaneity, concreteness, and signifying. The focus was on whether the styles of the traditional Black church were continuous with the styles of the Black Mega-Church. The present study explored the following research questions: (1) What style features characterize sermons in the predominantly Black Mega-Church? (2) What are the specific themes that characterize the sermons in the predominantly Black Mega-Church? (3) To what extent is there both continuity and discontinuity in the stylistic and thematic dynamics of sermons between the traditional Black church and the predominantly Black Mega-Church?; The coding scheme in the thematic analysis came from the work of several authors who have published texts about the "best" sermons preached by Black preachers within traditional Black churches. A formulation of the prevalent sermonic themes within the traditional Black churches and their definitions are as follows: (1) God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit (Ghost); (2) Turning away from sin and accepting salvation; (3) The purpose of the church; (4) Having faith in all things; (5) Being a sower; (6) Black power.; In the predominantly Black Mega-church, there is evidence of continuity with the sermonic style features. The findings of this study showed a slight discontinuity with the sermonic themes. Some of the sermons from the predominantly Black Mega-Church had the exact same themes of the traditional Black church. The other sermons had themes that were slightly different, but still included the same content as the sermons from the traditional Black church. The one theme that the sermons of the predominantly Black Mega-Church followed was Man's Authority. According to the sermons of these Mega-Churches, God has given man the authority to handle situations with the use of their God-given authority.