The Fully Alive Preacher

The Fully Alive Preacher
Author: Mike Graves
Publisher: Presbyterian Publishing Corp
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2006-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0664230202

Mike Graves begins this book with the question "If preaching is intended to enliven the church, why is it killing so many ministers?" His answer? Because preaching has become divorced from the vitality and diversity of the preacher's daily life. He invites preachers to discover how preaching can be renewing rather than draining.

Fully Alive

Fully Alive
Author: Ken Davis
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2012
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0849948428

Shares the author's story of his return to physical, mental, and spiritual health, highlighting the action steps that will help readers live life to the fullest.

SCM Studyguide: Preaching

SCM Studyguide: Preaching
Author: Peter K. Stevenson
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2017-01-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0334043743

Peter Stevenson provides an introduction to the practice of preaching. It is designed for people from various church traditions, in the early stages of ministerial formation. Preaching is a complex and challenging business requiring a demanding mixture of skills. People listening to a sermon have the right to expect that a person who stands up to preach, can interpret the Bible competently, has a grasp of core Christian beliefs, and believes what they preach. They also expect someone who has the necessary range of communication skills to put the message across in an accessible way. Such a range of expectations presents daunting challenges to the most experienced preacher. Including practical exercises which could be used by individuals or by groups, this book is suitable for introductory courses in preaching or for modules which consider preaching within an overall focus upon leading public worship.

Novel Preaching

Novel Preaching
Author: Alyce M. McKenzie
Publisher: Presbyterian Publishing Corp
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2010-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0664233228

In this lively and accessible book, Alyce McKenzie explores how fiction writers approach the task of writing novels: how they develop their ideas, where they find their inspiration, and how they turn the spark of a creative notion into words on paper that will captivate the masses. McKenzie's study shows how preachers can use the same techniques to enhance their own creativity and to turn their ideas into powerful, well crafted sermons. Novel Preaching offers a wealth of advice from successful fiction writers, including Isabelle Allende, Frederick Buechner, Julia Cameron, Annie Dillard, Natalie Goldberg, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Joyce Carol Oates, and Melanie Rae Thorn, and also includes a number of sample sermons from McKenzie herself.

How to Become a Creative Church Leader

How to Become a Creative Church Leader
Author: John Nelson
Publisher: Canterbury Press
Total Pages: 448
Release: 2008-02-28
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1853118133

A companion to the popular Creative Church Leadership, this co-publication with "MODEM" focuses on the practical skills necessary for dynamic leadership in the local church. A wide range of experienced church leaders and management gurus reflect on key components of successful contemporary church leadership including: part one which discusses people, leading a team, choosing and mentoring assistants, leading lay ministers and volunteers, how to delegate, how to resolve conflict; part two which describes organisation, leading churches of different sizes, leading multiple congregations, relating to the local community, initiating and completing projects, how to chair meetings; and, part three which discusses up close and personal, what kind of a leader are you, getting your work/life balance right, thinking strategically, preaching with a purpose, and much more.

Alive to the Word

Alive to the Word
Author: Stephen I. Wright
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2013-01-25
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0334047714

In Alive to the Word Stephen Wright offers a constructive introduction to preaching as an existing and varied practice throughout the church on which it is important to continue to reflect theologically, so that it is executed with developing spirituality, understanding and skill.Alive to the Word includes discussion of the full range of key components in the understanding and practice of preaching - from its basic theological rationale right through to the dynamics of live communication and its aftermath.The books begins by reflecting on the nature and the context of preaching, not least in a communications culture and moves on to setting a constructive agenda for the development of preaching as a core practice of the Christian church for the preacher, the congregation and the wider church.

Bury Your Ordinary

Bury Your Ordinary
Author: Justin Kendrick
Publisher: David C Cook
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2021-09-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830781196

Many Christians wonder, “Why am I stuck spiritually when I read the Bible pray, and go to church?” In Bury Your Ordinary, Pastor Justin Kendrick offers a clear map for spiritual growth to help readers: Develop seven habits that lead to explosive spiritual growth Realize the number-one ingredient God looks for in a disciple maker Share their faith as a way of life Learn to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit Live out the truth that God is deeply satisfied with who they are Bury Your Ordinary is a field manual to an entirely different way of life that starts with digging a deep hole, putting the “ordinary you” inside it, covering it with dirt, and walking away as a transformed person. Through intentional changes to your habits, you will discover a deeper love for God and a heart fully alive.

Being Alive and Having to Die

Being Alive and Having to Die
Author: Dan Cryer
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2011-10-25
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1429989351

One of the year's Top Ten Books on Religion and Spirituality (Booklist), Being Alive and Having to Die is the story of the remarkable public and private journey of Reverend Forrest Church, the scholar, activist, and preacher whose death became a way to celebrate life. Through his pulpit at the prestigious Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York, Reverend Forrest Church became a champion of liberal religion and a leading opponent of the religious right. An inspired preacher, a thoughtful theologian and an eloquent public intellectual, Church built a congregation committed to social service for people in need, while writing twenty five books, hosting a cable television program, and being featured in People, Esquire, New York Magazine, and on numerous national television and radio appearances. Being Alive and Having to Die works on two levels, as an examination of liberal religion during the past 30 years of conservative ascendancy, and as a fascinating personal story. Church grew up the son of Senator Frank Church of Idaho, famous for combating the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the CIA in the 1970s. Like many sons of powerful fathers, he rebelled and took a different path in life, which led him to his own prominence. Then, in 1991, at the height of his fame, he fell in love with a married parishioner and nearly lost his pulpit. Eventually, he regained his stature, overcame a long-secret alcoholism, wrote his best books–and found himself diagnosed with terminal cancer. His three year public journey toward death brought into focus the preciousness of life, not only for himself, but for his ministry. Based on extraordinary access to Church and over 200 interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, Dan Cryer bears witness to a full, fascinating, at time controversial life. Being Alive and Having to Die is an honest look at an imperfect man and his lasting influence on modern faith.

Preaching in Pictures

Preaching in Pictures
Author: Peter Jonker
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2015-05-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1630884294

The preachers’ words are meant to connect, to resonate with and influence hearers. Too often, sermons fall short. Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons that Connect shows how to choose, use, and illustrate a controlling image in every sermon. Readers learn how one effective image can cause the proclaimed word to sink in and transform the listener. Peter Jonker helps readers to build skill and confidence, with practical instruction, examples, and straightforward teaching. “Good preaching isn’t just the dissemination of information; it is a conduit of Spirit-empowered formation. Such formative preaching doesn’t convince the intellect; it captures the imagination. A controlling image has the power to do just this—to capture the imagination. Peter Jonker invites preachers to understand and to effectively use controlling images for formation of the hearer. This great book is erudite and accessible, theoretically grounded and yet intensely practical, complete with exercises. I’ll be pointing preachers to it from now on.” --James K.A. Smith, author of Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation “Preaching in Pictures opened eyes of my imagination. I can’t wait to write my next sermon.” --Heidi DeJonge Pastor, Westside Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Kingston, Ontario “Peter Jonker offers preachers practical ways to connect the gospel in the hearts of listeners, with a wealth of helpful examples. This is a fresh and welcome perspective, just the book for preachers whose sermons have reached their shelf life and are in need of new energy.” --John Michael Rottman, Professor of Preaching Calvin Theological Seminary “Sane, balanced, assured--but also strikingly insightful--Peter Jonker's writing is a sheer gift to anyone interested in eventful preaching. Every page is worth pondering. Jonker writes with great verve and authority.” --Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., Author of Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets, and Journalists

The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2017

The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2017
Author: Scott Hoezee
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2016-04-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1501815156

The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2017 includes: The Primary Theme Fleshed out with brief, pithy nuggets of thought, idea jump-starters, or questions designed to spur the preacher’s imagination. Secondary or Parallel Themes Two or three themes or streams of thought that are related to but separate from the primary theme offered. Worship Helps Including Gathering Prayer, Collect, Pastoral Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Responsive Reading, and a Closing Prayer or Benediction. Topical Essays These 700 word essays cover a variety of current and critical topics for the preacher—contributed by leading homileticians. Full Sermons The full text from six to twelve sermons will be included. These sermons will highlight best practices, unique approaches, and fresh voices. Sermon Series Ideas This section will briefly outline and describe ideas for unique sermon series based on lectionary readings. "As a weekly preacher, I often find that preparing for preaching and crafting sermons are spiritual disciplines for me. It is a time in which I try to quiet all of the other 'to do' lists that occupy much of my ministry. This resource from Abingdon Press will now be a partner in those conversations, almost like a new personal devotional guide. I am grateful for additional voices who can help me make space for God’s Living Word." - Shannon J Kershner, Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL "The Abingdon Preaching Annual is a valuable resource for today’s preacher seeking to offer sermons with theological depth and thematic clarity. It seeks to activate the preacher’s own reflection and imagination in the challenging task of weekly preaching." - Alyce M. McKenzie, Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship Director, The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence