Communicative Competence in Preaching: Principles of Effective Homiletic Communication in Contemporary Culture

Krzysztof Marcyński

doi:10.21697/kmt.2025.64.14

Published: 2025-12-30

Vol. 4 No. 64 (2025)

Communicative Competence in Preaching: Principles of Effective Homiletic Communication in Contemporary Culture

Krzysztof Marcyński

Kultura Media Teologia

Section: Varia

https://doi.org/10.21697/kmt.2025.64.14

Abstract

The cognitive aim of this article is to present the principles of the communicative quality of preaching a homily in the context of contemporary cultural and social challenges, based on the theory of communicative competence developed within the field of social sciences, particularly communication and media studies. To achieve this objective, the following methods were applied: content analysis and a review of the relevant literature, including media studies (covering the art of public speaking, self-presentation, and communicative competence), as well as homiletic and theological-communicative approaches. According to the conducted analysis of the research material, the key elements of the communicative quality of a homily include a clear and concise structure, theological depth, language adapted to the audience, references to the experience and daily life of the listeners, and the authenticity of the preacher. A well-prepared homily fulfills not only a formative, evangelizing, or catechetical function, but also a communicative one, responding to the aesthetic and cultural needs of the audience. In this sense, the cognitive value of this article lies in identifying homiletic standards grounded in the main characteristics of communicative competence: effectiveness, flexibility, and appropriateness. These guidelines may serve both the practice of preaching and further research on religious communication, particularly the contemporary art of proclaiming the Gospel.

Keywords:

communicative competence, homily, religious communication, communicative quality of preaching, preaching

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Marcyński, Krzysztof. “Communicative Competence in Preaching: Principles of Effective Homiletic Communication in Contemporary Culture”. Kultura Media Teologia, vol. 4, no. 64, Dec. 2025, pp. 235–251, doi:10.21697/kmt.2025.64.14.

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Krzysztof Marcyński

k.marcynski@uksw.edu.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0255-2952

Affiliation:

Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

University Professor, Doctor Habilitatus in Social Sciences in the field of Social Communication and Media at the Institute of Media Education and Journalism, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, where he serves as Head of the Department of Media Education. Graduate of the Media Ecology program at New York University (USA).

In 2022–2024 he served as a delegate of the Polish Ministry of Education and Science for the social dimension in the Bologna Process (BFUG Working Group on Social Dimension). He is a member of the Award Committee of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) for the Dr. Paweł Stępka Prize and also serves on the Audit Committee of the Polish Communication Association.

He is Vice-Rector of the Major Seminary in Ołtarzew, where he has been a long-time lecturer. He previously served as Provincial Councilor of the Annunciation Province of the Pallottine Fathers (2005–2008), Councilor at the Major Seminary in Ołtarzew (2014–2015), and Head of the Philosophical-Theological Studies at the Major Seminary of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate in Poland (2017–2019). In 2022–2025 he serves as Director of Media and Communication of the Pallottine Center “Future for Ukraine.”

He is the initiator, author, and trainer of the “Media Behind the Cloister” training program. Author of numerous scholarly articles and books on media and communication, including Communicative Competence. A Media Studies Perspective (Warsaw 2017) and Religious Communication and Media (Kraków 2016). His research interests focus on social communication, religious communication, the nature of media, and communicative competence. He is an expert in public speaking, presentations, and media education.