Practical Homiletical Resource
595182
Dr. Carlson in his book Preaching Like the Prophets, explores a concept that is not widely expressed in Evangelical Christianity. As he describes in the early pages his point is not to argue that Preachers today are Prophets but rather that the Old Testament Prophets were, in fact, Preachers. In light of that Preachers today can learn from the Prophets sermons. The early chapters in the book are very academic and serve to prove that the Prophets were preachers, and not just passive mouthpieces of God. But as you get further into the book and especially in the last few chapters it really hits home with practical application. Not only was I reminded of many Homiletical principles and practices through his study in the prophets but understood them in a new refreshing light. Carlson shows that not only are the homiletical processes outlined in Sunukjian and Chapel practical but they are Biblical. The prophets often follow similar practices in their own preaching throughout the Old Testament. My reading of the Prophets has been extensively deepened by this book as well as my preaching refreshed. This is a much needed companion to both Sunukjian and Chapels books.
2573077
Aiming at Maturity is a delightful book.  It is a long-overdue book.  It is a practical resource for teachers.  It is a rich and valuable resource for personal spiritual formation. Its a gift to the Christian community.  Dr. Rankin does a masterful job of drawing from the various streams of spiritual formation and unpacks some of  the biblical, theological, historical, psychological, emotional and relational aspects of what it might look like to, in the words of Romans 8:29,  become conformed to the image of his son.  One of the most refreshing aspects of Aiming at Maturity is Dr. Rankins discussion of the unique role of the emotional side of who God has made us to be in the process growing up and looking, loving and living more like our Lord.  He correctly notes that if we want to grow to maturity, we must do more than work at believing the right things and doing the right things, and then he goes on to share practical examples of what that might look like.  After my second reading I bought 15 copies and gave it to friends.  Its that good.  This is a book youll read more than once.
1309295
Liturgical Preaching is an excellent collection of essays on various aspects of strengthening the connection between the sermon and the liturgical service in which it is preached. It also gives plenty of insights in how to utilize the various resources available to improve your preaching. A valuable essay on the advantages of using the lectionary (historically assigned weekly Scripture readings that follow the church calendar) was especially useful. Other essays advise on how to preach sacramentally and with Law and Gospel, while avoiding common pitfalls that make sermons either drab or stereotypical. An essay on the meaning of the liturgy shows how a preacher can take advantage of opportunities in the lectionary to preach on various liturgical texts (such as the Agnus Dei, John 1:29) without becoming pedantic. Most of the authors cite helpful examples from their own preaching on how to put into practice the suggestions they offer. A few essays were less impressive, and are not worth re-reading; but the majority of the essays were excellent, and would serve well as a resource to keep handy for studying various aspects of your preaching. I also found the book sparked several ideas that helped shape my own preaching while I was reading it. A book to keep in your library as a helpful resource.
353484
One of the best resources on my book shelf.  I use it for prayer and for preparing reflections and homilies.
2171377
This is a valuable resource for understanding the rural church of today in the USA. Hunter writes from his long experience as a pastor in rural churches and research in church growth. This book contains both his theory and practical experience for the small church in the country side. He deals with a wide variety of churches, such as cornfield churches, solo churches, small-town churches, playground churches, shrinking churches, migrant churches, and even "nonchurch churches." After defining rural, he then goes on to describe the personality of the rural church and how to heal its wounded personality. He then focuses on the health and vitality in the rural church, its pastor, worship, finances, and designs for the rural church.
V. John
3496403
Wonderful resource for those who care about peacemaking, Justice, restoration that Jesus calls us to.  Challenging and practical - a large portion of my book is underlined.
4559235
A collection of articles originally written by the authors for THE TABLET, the book progresses from a consideration of theological bases of the liturgy and of liturgical principles to explorations of architecture, both of churches already built and of those yet to be built, with a view toward implementing those bases and principles.  The book culminates with very practical considerations of the various ways in which a church might thereby be arranged.  Of especial interest is the treatment of the ambo, a church feature that has, over the centuries, come to be almost totally ignored in ecclesiastical architecture, but the importance of which the book explains clearly and in fascinating detail...and a feature that the book highly recommends be resurrected.  For anyone interested in implementing the Second Vatican Council's document on the liturgy and subsequent liturgical documents and directives, for anyone interested in continuing to recover authentic liturgical tradition, this book should prove to be a marvelous incentive and a valuable guide.
402803
This book is a practical resource covering every possible angle on prayer. Bill Thrasher writes as a teacher, and I appreciate his thorough approach, humble attitude, and worshipful standpoint.

Featuring 30 brief chapters perfect for daily reflection, this book could be used as a one-month prayer life restart manual. The book is written with sound theology and strong Bible emphasis, and it is enlivened with many stories from Bills life, the lives of his friends, and stories of great Christians in history.

These are my top ten favorite practical takeaways from the book:

I can give God the first hour of the day, the first day of the week, and the first few days of every year in prayer, and he will completely transform my life. (Chapter 1)
Prayer is helplessness plus faith. (Chapter 1)
I need to see my temptations as a prompt for prayer. (Chapter 4)
I can learn how to pray without criticizing. (Chapter 5)
Our society is addicted to noise, and a fruitful prayer life requires a quiet space. (Chapter 7)
I can gain comfort by knowing Jesus better in prayer. (Chapter 10)
Daily prayer can lead to soul happiness. (Chapter 11)
Scripture meditation can enhance my prayer life. (Chapter 11)
The Bible shows me how to pray lovingly for unsaved people. (Chapter 11)
Every temptation toward anxiety is a call to pray. (Chapter 25)
I need to read this book again to gain all the components I need for a revolutionized prayer life. Since its a compact, easy read, I plan to go through it one chapter at a time for the next 30 days and record one action step per chapter.

A Journey to Victorious Praying is leading me closer to God, giving me greater peace, and helping me love other people through a renewed prayer life.
97723
Dr. Kirksey's Don't Miss the Revival is a book this is especially helpful to those whose charge it is to preach and teach the Bible.  Few homiletical helps are available for such a great prophetic book as Isaiah.  Dr. Kirksey's book is a welcome addition and is a resource that will help expositors of the Word as they study and prepare biblical messages.  The book contains numerous quotes and practical outlines that will stir the thoughts of careful students of the Bible.  A great book!

Rev. Todd Linn, Phd
Pastor, Henderson's First Baptist Church, Henderson KY
4621817
This little book is a gem. Many parish priests are confronted with massive time pressures and must find Father Robert's book a useful source to help in delivery of  the weekly sermon. However, the laity too will welcome this book as enriching the sermon they hear and assisting their duty of evangelisation. At a time when we welcome especially catechumens and candidates for initiation or full communion into the Church at the Easter Vigil, the homilies for the third to the fifth Sundays of Lent using cycle A rather than B, are a useful aid to catechists. The literary approaches to the liturgical texts are invaluable. There is also a useful thematic index, which not only gathers together readings across the three cycles under themes, such as Mary, but is sufficiently succinct to allow cross references to the Mother Church for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
4178408
Jimmy Akin's blog is one that I have long counted on for straight answers about Church teachings when I couldn't easily find the answer elsewhere. Soon after I entered the Church, the U.S. bishops issued a General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), designed to set up norms of worship around the U.S. The actual result was hotly disputed issues about things like taking communion on the tongue or in the hand, taking communion kneeling or standing, and having to stand and sing after communion instead of being allowed to kneel and pray. I always appreciated Akin's straight forward answers, supported by canon law, Church teachings, and other documentation. I never read it, but I knew that Akin even wrote a book, Mass Confusion, to instruct laypeople about liturgical law so they could see for themselves what was allowed and what wasn't.

Over time those questions seem to have have settled down. However, with the upcoming changes to the liturgy there is great potential for people to resent the revised liturgy replacing the one they love. My interest was piqued when I saw that Akin has a new book covering the changes, Mass Revision: How the Liturgy is Changing and What It Means for You.

It turns out that Mass Revision is a hugely revised version of Akin's previous book, Mass Confusion, but now focused more on the liturgical revisions than on abuses. I worried that the tone of the book might be strident, considering the previous focus on abuses, but nothing could be further from the case.

Akin calmly and clearly takes readers through the Mass step by step, detailing on the way where changes are being made and the logic behind them. I was pleased to see that his commentary actually serves as a thread binding together excerpts from various Church documents which are the genesis for the liturgical instructions. It was fascinating to see how many documents supported each other each step of the way. Also, in reading the actual excerpts I was often touched by the care shown to the faithful, the reverence for the Eucharist, and the practicality of the result.

Akin's comments serve as a guide, clarify possibly contentious points, and also give us helpful reasons as to why something may be misunderstood.

The copious bonus materials comprise the final hundred pages of the book and cover everything from the Outline of the Mass to Low-Gluten Hosts and Mustum to Table of Postures During Mass. This is going to be my go-to resource when a specific question comes up for clarification.

The promotional materials and the back of the book seem to focus on liturgical abuse before pointing out that Mass Revisions above all describes and clarifies the liturgical revisions. I know this may be Akin's reputation but don't allow it to put you off as it almost did me. This book really does exactly what the subtitle says: how the liturgy is changing and what it means for you.

Get yourself a copy. You won't be sorry.
533496
Kregel recently published a resource for homileticians titled, "One Year to Better Preaching" by Daniel Overdorf. Written with the seasoned preacher in mind, Overdorf lays out 52 exercises that are designed to improve one's ability to connect with today's audience as well as to deliver God's Word faithfully. Separated into eight categories (e.g. prayer and preaching, Bible interpretation, understanding listeners, sermon construction, illustration and application, word crafting, the preaching event, and sermon evaluation), Overdorf does not have inexperienced preachers in mind as the majority of the exercises are focused on enhancing the use of illustrations in order to connect more effectively with today's audience instead of insights as to how to begin crafting a sermon in the first place; however, preachers at all levels of experience will benefit when they take the time to employ these exercises as they only require about an hour at a time but can have a significant impact on the sermon process.

In each exercise, Overdorf identifies a common problem observed in sermons and walks through the solution, specific exercises to practice and correct the problem, as well as an example based on a passage in Scripture. In addition, testimonies from people who have benefited from the exercise as well as other helpful suggestions are included at the end of each exercise to encourage the reader as they undergo the exercise. One of the exercises that I have found to be especially helpful for me was the one titled "Apply Specifically." Overdorf identified a problem in my own sermons in which I tend to give general applications at the end of my sermons that often leave listeners confused about what to do after the sermon. By having me think concretely about how certain specific people in my audience should respond in light of their life circumstances allowed me to give more specific applications of the text.

While Overdorf's exercises aren't revolutionary, they are practical for the preacher, faithful to Scripture, and relevant to today's audience, providing helpful reminders and correctives to preachers who have been doing things the same way for years. Therefore, I recommend this book to inexperienced preachers looking to build a good foundation for their sermons and seasoned preachers who are looking for a resource to improve their preaching ability.

This book was provided by the publisher for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
4772914
Bob Cornwall's text on Ephesians makes Paul's Letter come alive.  The text integrates study, reflection, group questions, prayer, and other spiritual practices.  This book is an invaluable resource for personal and group bible study.  This text cuts across theological and denominational perspectives (liberals as well as conservatives can appreciate the approach to the text)and is accessible to persons of various levels of education.  Holistic in nature, the text joins head and heart for personal and congregational spiritual transformation.  It is a great resource for Lent and other seasons of the year.
1118812
About homilies as about life in general, it is tempting to feel the need in the 21st century to describe things in terms of success or failure.

The thoughtful homilist must take courage that the most of those at Gettysburg considered the President's address too brief to be adequate for such an occasion.

It is only with the benefit of 21 centuries of hindsight that many would judge that the words of Jesus himself were successful.  Paradoxically Jesus' words appear to have been less inspiring to those who actually heard them than they have been to countless millions since! When does success begin?

Homilies Alive clearly and interestingly sets forth basic scaffolding from which the weekly homily may be constructed. No priests or deacons could fail to improve their homiletic skills by following the advice in this more-than-commonsense book.
3326411
Cogent, enormously helpful resource for preachers and worship teams who use the Revised Common Lectionary and enjoy preaching thematic (or seasonal) series. Allen offers a wealth of strategies for using one or more lectionary readings in weekly series throughout the Christian year. Please note - the Kindle edition does not include the CD. Enjoyed the three different contexts/perspectives of the Lectionary within seasons, across cycles, and knowing why the lections for a given Sunday do or do not compliment each other.
206101
Pope Francis provides true homilies, not written speeches, to the ordinary people from a variety of walks of life who attend the mass at St. Martha's Chapel.  The preface by Father Spadaro is nearly 50 pages long and provides an informative background on possible ways to read and understand the spiritual richness of the homilies, and how to draw a personal encounter with God through them.

Pope Franciss messages are simple, gospel-centered, sometimes strong, but always positive too. He proposes what we can do better instead of telling us what we must do, providing a challenge for us to strive toward.  He is truly a compassionate spiritual teacher of living the spiritual life and living out the gospel.  Whether Catholic or Protestant, there is much here for thought, guidance, and encouragement.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
466159
Whether you have a long-established daily spiritual discipline or you are considering starting one, this is a wonderful resource. The Gospel According to Luke is divided into 50 daily readings and each is accompanied by a short reflection, a question or two and a prayer. The reflections/questions/prayers are written by leading Anglicans worldwide and offer thought-provoking and fascinating interpretations on the day's lesson. Each day's reading takes between five and 10 minutes, making this an accessible spiritual discipline for even the busiest among us. (If you enjoy this, the publisher, Forward Movement, has a 50-day challenge for the other three Gospels, as well as the Acts of the Apostles.)