Book Description

Transformational Preaching: Theory and practice is a comprehensive textbook for the beginning student of preaching, the graduate student in pulpit discourse, or the seasoned preacher. Seeking to reclaim the pulpit for biblical preaching, the book counteracts the popular "teaching" approach that is common today, and argues that preaching must be persuasive rather than informative, that the preacher is central to the act of preaching, and that through the preaching event, both preacher and listener together fashion the "message" and its meaning. Both theoretical and highly practical, the book offers a challenging look at all aspects of the preaching ministry. It contextualizes preaching in pastoral ministry and congregational worship, but, most significantly, argues that the practice of preaching must be informed and driven by theory. As such, the book draws from a wide perspective of disciplines, including biblical theology, classical rhetoric, contemporary human communication, public discourse, persuasion, linguistics, performance, and orality. The book's wealth of practical guidelines for every step of sermon development encourages students to apply general principles within their own contexts of ministry.