Product Description

Today, many people question the value of preaching. Yet, preaching is one of the most awesome callings in the world. "Preaching with Humanity" considers questions such as: How can 'old-fashioned' preaching survive in the YouTube culture? What is the place of preaching in a 'mission-shaped Church'? And, How can we preach with humanity - with our fellow human beings, not 'to' them, or 'at' them from a height or a distance?Whether you are new to preaching or building on existing skills, this book will help you in the life-long process of becoming a preacher with humanity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136745 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 148 pages

About the Author
* Geoffrey Stevenson is a popular speaker and trainer of preachers and writes, teaches and speaks on the theology and practice of communication today. * Revd Stephen Wright is a former Director of the College of Preachers and is currently Tutor in Biblical Studies and Practical Theology at Spurgeon's College, London. His work with a leading Baptist training college and with the ecumenical Oasis Youth Work and Ministry course gives him a wide cross-denominational perspective on preaching.

Customer Reviews

A Reflective Practitioner's review
As the title suggests, the book calls us to acknowledge the humanity of both the preacher and the congregation, and that both have both gifts and limitations. This is reflected in the book by a reluctance to be over dogmatic and to tell people what to think. The authors speak of a degree of `provisionality' in what they say and confess to deliberately raising more questions than they have answers to. The aim of the book therefore is to encourage the `reflective practitioner' to review his work and use the resources listed at the end of the book to improve that practice.
The book examines the various contexts of preaching - mission, worship, education and pastoral care. It goes on to examine the various `players' in the sermon, beginning with God and ending with the preacher himself. It examines the preacher's personality, personal development and role as interpreter of the Gospel.
The book is subtitled as a `practical guide', and so a number of practical chapters follow, concerning the preparation and delivery of the sermon, including (to this reviewer) a quite frightening section on vocal, facial and bodily exercises. This is perhaps not surprising in a book co-authored by an actor, but seems to be a bit over the top for the ordinary preacher. Whilst preachers should always seek to improve their delivery, the dangers of the preacher ceasing to be himself by consciously adopting theatrical styles seem to abound.
The book ends appropriately by placing at the centre of the Church's mission, where the Acts of the Apostles places it.
Disappointments included the light typeface, not always easy to read, and the inclusion of endnotes rather than footnotes. This soon made the process of following up references extremely tiresome. Some reference is made to Craddock, but there is little attempt to engage full on with the so-called New Homiletic.
The book is extremely accessible, if lightweight, and a good place to start for aspiring preachers.

Canon Dr. Ron Cassidy, Manchester, UK

A Good Guide for Future Preachers?
As a trainee reader in the Church of England, I found this book on my reading list last term and have just finished it. It is a warm, sympathetic work which seeks a balance between practicalities, devotion and inspiration. Particularly helpful I found the initial analysis of types and styles of sermon since we all come from our own traditions and sometimes are not aware of how the other half live. For my first practice sermons in training I drew widely on the wisdom here and I commend its choice as set reading on the Guildford Diocese Ministry Course.