Preaching Workbook

This workbook for preachers, readers, students preparing for a preaching ministry, or lay people called on to preach from time to time includes several chapters on how to draw a message authentically from scripture, practical help on the craft of preaching, and sermon examples from more than fifty preachers.

Both experienced and novice preachers need a new approach for sermon development skill-building. A Sermon Workbook offers a unique and flexible resource that is instantly accessible and useful for anyone tasked with the proclamation of the Word. The workbook format can be used in a linear fashion, beginning to end. Or readers can pick and choose the chapters to tailor-fit their own needs. In either case, readers build skill upon skill, working through inventive and engaging exercises first developed and taught at Yale Divinity School. The book addresses the skills and arts that are essential for effective preaching in our multi-tasking, multi-ethnic, sound-bite society. It offers theological clarity about why we preach, and what matters most. The creative, collaborative, and charming authors present the principles as they do in their classroom: in two voices—one male and one female--with the two complementing and supporting one another.

Providing a fresh, timely reflection every week can be a daunting task. So when time or inspiration is flagging and you need the jump-start of creative ideas, the Preaching Workbook from CSS is just what the doctor ordered! Prominent pastor, former seminary president, and prolific author Jerry Schmalenberger draws upon the experiences of a lifetime in the ministry to help readers effectively share God's word with crisply written insights. This outstanding set of practical aids explores many homiletical approaches and is sure to help preachers prepare more vital, incisive sermons. Each chapter includes: - a listing of and commentary on selected scripture texts - a theme for the day's service - suggestions on preaching possibilities - an outline of possible sermon moves - additional illustrations to help flesh out the message Recently retired as the president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, Jerry L. Schmalenberger served some of the largest Lutheran congregations in the United States during 29 years as a parish pastor. A graduate of Wittenberg University and Hamma School of Theology in Springfield, Ohio (where he received his D.Min. degree), Schmalenberger is the recipient of an honorary D.Div. degree from Wittenberg. He now preaches and teaches throughout the world as a Global Mission Volunteer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, appearing in such varied locations as Germany, Jamaica, Argentina, Uruguay, Suriname, Liberia, Indonesia, and China. Schmalenberger also serves as Visiting Professor of Practical Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong.

Bigger, stronger, better! This newly revised edition of Anderson's best-seller retains all of the great features that have made it an indispensable tool for busy pastors. Combining concise but insightful textual notes with a wide range of creative preaching ideas, each chapter provides plenty of starting points for developing stimulating sermons that make the scriptures come alive for the people in the pews. In addition to a convenient sermon planning template plus overviews of Matthew (the featured Gospel narrator in Cycle A) and each liturgical season, every week's material includes: a listing of applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts; a theme for the day; brief commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons; a prayer for the day; theological reflections reflections exploring relationships between the texts; possible preaching approaches with suggested titles and sermon angles; additional illustrations to flesh out the message.

The challenge of creating a fresh, incisive sermon every Sunday can sometimes seem overwhelming -- but if you have the all-new edition of CSS' acclaimed Lectionary Preaching Workbook at your fingertips, you'll never feel that way again! With penetrating reflections on Cycle B lectionary passages and a thorough discussion of preaching themes plus a treasure trove of supporting illustrations, this comprehensive volume is the perfect starting point for your weekly homiletic research. Carlos Wilton combines a scholar's deep insight into the biblical texts with a pastor's practical understanding of how to make them come alive for the people in your pews, and his astute commentary is sure to stimulate your thought process and provide plenty of seeds for developing messages with maximum impact. A handy, easy-to-use sermon planning template is also included to facilitate the process of building your sermon. The Lectionary Preaching Workbook is an indispensable tool that helps you to powerfully proclaim God's Word while getting the most out of your limited preparation time. Each Sunday's material includes: * a listing of applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts * a theme for the day * commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons * possible preaching approaches * a pastoral prayer * numerous illustrations to flesh out the message Carlos E. Wilton has been the pastor since 1990 of Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. He previously served as assistant dean and director of admissions at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Wilton is a graduate of Washington College (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (M.Phil. and Ph.D.). In addition to his parish responsibilities, Wilton is also an adjunct professor at New Brunswick Theological Seminary and a member of the writing team for the online preaching resource The Immediate Word (www.csspub.com).

Providing a fresh, timely reflection every week on assigned scripture passages can be one of a pastor's most daunting tasks. But when time or inspiration is flagging and you need the jump-start of creative ideas, the latest edition of the classic CSS resource Lectionary Preaching Workbook is just what the doctor ordered! Prominent pastor, former seminary president, and prolific author Jerry Schmalenberger draws upon the experiences of a lifetime in the ministry to help readers effectively share God's word with crisply written insights. He's created an outstanding set of practical aids to help preachers with their weekly sermons. Each chapter includes: - a listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts; - a theme for the day's service; - commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons; - suggestions on preaching possibilities; - an outline of possible sermon moves; and - additional illustrations to flesh out the message. Recently retired as the president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, Jerry L. Schmalenberger served some of the largest Lutheran congregations in the United States during 29 years as a parish pastor. A graduate of Wittenberg University and Hamma School of Theology in Springfield, Ohio (where he received his D.Min. degree), Schmalenberger was awarded an honorary D.Div. degree by Wittenberg. Schmalenberger, who continues to teach parish ministry at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, has also taught speech and communication at Urbana College and Wittenberg University. As a Global Mission Volunteer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he now preaches and teaches throughout the world, appearing in such varied locations as Germany, Jamaica, Argentina, Uruguay, Suriname, Liberia, Indonesia, and China. His most recent teaching stint was at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong.

I would like to enter a partnership with you, sharing what these assigned passages say to me, setting forth what I might do with each assigned text, hopefully igniting ideas in your busy and at times overburdened mind and spirit, so that together we may bring that word from the Lord. ... My hope is not to take the work entirely out of sermon preparation, but to generate a process whereby the busy -- sometimes overworked -- preacher can get off to a running start.