Preaching As Communication

This book puts preachnig into a South African context. It seeks to advance biblical preaching grounded in sound homiletic theory, but also matches theology and praxis. The book is designed as a guide to students of homiletics and those who have to preach a Sunday sermon week by week.

In Conversational Preaching, we are given an in-depth investigation into how humans communicate and how understanding interpersonal communications skills can be of considerable value for those called to preach God’s word. “Dr. Sowards has made rather elegant use of the model of interpersonal communication as a device to explore preaching and communicating with congregants.” – Dr. Dalton Kehoe, Senior Scholar, Communication Studies, York University, Toronto, Canada “Sowards’ book advances the idea of conversational preaching beyond the merely metaphorical by applying practical insights from Interpersonal Communications Theory to the act of sermon crafting.” – The Rev. Dr. Micah Jackson, Ph.D., Bishop John Elbridge Hines Associate Professor of Preaching and Director of Comprehensive Wellness, Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin, Texas This book is for preachers and students of preaching who want to become better preachers and communicators. I have explored the theories of interpersonal communication and shown how preachers can benefit from such knowledge. I described the concept of noise as an impediment to communications and explored the topic with regard to politics, beliefs about the poor, past religious experiences and having an underdeveloped faith. I examined the concept of feedback and how effective feedback can be fodder for future sermons. I developed a model for conversational preaching using interpersonal communications theory and state that the ultimate goal of any sermon would be to facilitate a conversation with the hearers of a sermon and God.

This bestselling text by Haddon Robinson, considered by many to be the "teacher of preachers," has sold over 300,000 copies and is a contemporary classic in the field. It offers students, pastors, and Bible teachers expert guidance in the development and delivery of expository sermons. This new edition has been updated throughout and includes helpful exercises. Praise for the Second Edition Named "One of the 25 Most Influential Preaching Books of the Past 25 Years" by Preaching "[An] outstanding introduction to the task of preparing and presenting biblical sermons. More than any other book of the past quarter century, Biblical Preaching has profoundly influenced a generation of evangelical preachers."--Preaching

Provides a basic guide for preachers as they attempt to make communication with their congregations a personal and meaningful experience.

Pastor, preacher, and New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller shares his wisdom on communicating the Christian faith from the pulpit as well as from the coffee shop. Most Christians—including pastors—struggle to talk about their faith in a way that applies the power of the Christian gospel to change people’s lives. Timothy Keller is known for his insightful, down-to-earth sermons and talks that help people understand themselves, encounter Jesus, and apply the Bible to their lives. In this accessible guide for pastors and laypeople alike, Keller helps readers learn to present the Christian message of grace in a more engaging, passionate, and compassionate way.

Stop Preaching and Start Communicating examines the medium of television as a powerful method of communication to consider what we can learn from it as communicators of the most important message the world needs to hear. Tony discusses: knowing your target audience, how to begin and end your message effectively, communicating without notes, the need for one memorable big idea, and how to communicate to transform, rather than simply inform.

When You Talk, Are People Changed? Whether you speak from the pulpit, podium, or the front of a classroom, you don’t need much more than blank stares and faraway looks to tell you you’re not connecting. Take heart before your audience takes leave! You can convey your message in the powerful, life-changing way it deserves to be told. An insightful, entertaining parable that’s an excellent guide for any speaker, Communicating for a Change takes a simple approach to delivering effectively. Join Pastor Ray as he discovers that the secrets to successful speaking are parallel to the lessons a trucker learns on the road. By knowing your destination before you leave (identifying the one basic premise of your message), using your blinkers (making transitions obvious), and implementing five other practical points, you’ll drive your message home every time! “Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” “Once upon a time…” “In the beginning…” Great stories capture and hold an audience’s attention from start to finish. Why should it be any different when you stand up to speak? In Communicating for a Change, Andy Stanley and Lane Jones offer a unique strategy for communicators seeking to deliver captivating and practical messages. In this highly creative presentation, the authors unpack seven concepts that will empower you to engage and impact your audience in a way that leaves them wanting more. “Whether you are a senior pastor with weekly teaching responsibilities or a student pastor who has bern charged with engaging the hearts and minds of high school students, this book is a must-read.” -Bill Hybels, Senior pastor, Willow Creak Community Church “A very practical resource for every biblical communicator who wants to go from good to great.” -Ed Young, Senior pastor, Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas “To communicate effectively, you have to connect. Andy has been connecting with people for years, and now he’s sharing his insights with the rest of us.” -Jeff Foxworthy, Comedian Story Behind the Book Andy Stanley and Lane Jones are on staff at one of America ’s largest churches, North Point Community. Leaders of thousands of people, they regularly speak in front of large groups. They also listen to numerous speakers and know the disastrous effects of a poorly delivered message. This book is the result of their efforts to make public speaking—one of the most common fear-inducing activities known to mankind—simple, easy, and even enjoyable, so that God’s messages will readily produce the life-changing results they should.

Master the craft of effective communication that grabs attention and wins hearts.Like everyone else, preachers long to be understood. Unfortunately, the rules first learned in seminary, if misapplied, can quickly turn homiletic precision into listener boredom.To capture heart and mind, Mark Galli and Craig Larsen suggest preachers turn to the lessons of journalism. In Preaching That Connects, they show how the same keys used to create effective, captivating communication in the media can transform a sermon.Amply illustrated from some of today’s best preachers, Preaching That Connects walks through the entire sermon, from the critical introduction to the bridge to illustrations and final application. Key points include the five techniques for generating creative ideas, your six options for illustrations, and the ten rules for great storytelling—and why the transition sentence is the hardest sentence you’ll write.Preaching That Connects is for all who seek to hone their craft to communicate the truth of the gospel effectively.