Yet when he did so his charisma did more to win adherents to the movement than any discussion or polemic. Newman's goal was not to form a school but to reanimate a dying religion. Those who listened to him preach were touched to the core. Newman's words present the Gospel in a way which is not theoretical or hypothetical. According to Newman, the preacher must strive against seeming sincere for that is the quickest way to defeat that end.
True sincerity can only come from a life of commitment and prayer.
The realization of the importance of prayer for preaching leads us in the direction of the role of the preacher himself. A good preacher must embody the word he proclaims. He speaks to the people for the people and holds a prophetic role in the community as well. Thus it will prove helpful to examine Newman's work with regard to preaching as prayer and prophetic witness. Newman's role for contemporary preaching Newman has laid out a firm foundation for the life of a preacher and the call to preach.