The Journey
If you are looking ahead to Advent and Christmas preaching series, you'll find a helpful resource in Adam Hamilton's The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem (Abingdon).
You Lost Me
Why are young adults dropping out of church in droves? That's the question David Kinnaman takes on in his new book You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church...and Rethinking Faith (Baker Books).
Letters to a Young Pastor
Calvin Miller has years of experience as a pastor, church planter and seminary professor. He draws on that experience to mentor a new generation of church leaders in Letters to a Young Pastor (David C. Cook).
Illustration: Doubt
A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement, the lawyer, knowing his client probably would be convicted, resorted to a trick.
Illustration: Availability
A man applied for a job as a handyman. The prospective employer asked, "Can you do carpentry?" The man answered in the negative. "How about bricklaying?" Again the man answered, "No." The employer asked, "Well, what about electrical work?" The man said, "No, I don't know anything about that either."
Worshipless Preaching
In his new book Preaching as Worship (Baker), Michael Quicke shares several characteristics of what he calls Myopic Preaching and concludes: "Worshipless sermons are the sad and inevitable outcome of myopic preaching. Theologically thin, spiritually disconnected, empty of God, silent about His grace, self-satisfied and self-oriented, such sermons are devoid of worship. This is partly because the preachers themselves lack awe and wonder at their part in God's call and response."
Purposes of Preaching
Purposes of Preaching (Chalice Press), edited by Jana Childers, is an interesting new book of 10 essays by a series of mainline homileticians. The varied essays deal with the nature, purpose and value of preaching today.
Understanding Your Preaching Style
One of the most interesting and practical preaching books I've seen in some time is Refining Your Style: Learning from Respected Communicators (Group) by Dave Stone. Dave, who shares preaching responsibilities with Bob Russell at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, has identified 13 communication styles that characterize preachers. He cites the Creative Storyteller, Direct Spokesperson, Scholarly Analytic, Revolutionary Leader, Engaging Humorist, Convincing Apologist, Inspiring Orator, Practical Applicator, Persuasive Motivator, Passionate Teacher, Relevant Illustrator, Cultural Prophet and Unorthodox Artist.
Illustration: Complaints
An aspiring Yogi wanted to find a Guru. He went to an Ashram and his preceptor told him, "You can stay here but we have one important rule: all students observe a vow of silence. You will be allowed to speak in 12 years."