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A Potpourri of Books
This week we will look at some fresh assistance for three of the traditional duties of a church leader: preaching, pastoral care, and outreach.
The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching
By Haddon Robinson and Craig Brian Larson (Zondervan)
This book, edited by Haddon Robinson and Craig Brian Larson to help us communicate the Word effectively, is an encyclopedia of articles on virtually every aspect of preaching. There are 201 articles in all, along with very helpful appendices.
The contributions are gathered under subjects like "The High Call of Preaching," "Considering Hearers," "Interpretation and Application," "Stories and Illustrations," "Special Topics," and several others. Many of the articles reflect the best material from preachingtoday.com and the Preaching Today audio series, along with some new articles commissioned by the editors. In all, 102 Christian communicators contributed to the book; many of them are among the best-known experts on the craft in the world today.
An accompanying CD with examples is a welcome bonus. It contains 14 sermon clips and commentaries linked to the relevant articles in the book. Robinson and Larson have served us well in various endeavors in the past. This volume is an excellent addition to their contributions to the craft.
Bedside Manners
By Katie Maxwell (Baker)
Visitation of the sick has become something of a lost art. So much attention has been given to business and leadership issues that pastoral care has frequently taken a back seat. This ministry is so appreciated that a renewal of attention to it is welcome. Bedside Manners is one of the few newer books to give practical advice in this area.
Maxwell covers subjects such as visiting hospital patients, nursing home residents, shut-ins, and the terminally ill, and the role a ministry to the sick should play in a local congregation. The author has served as a volunteer and organizer of this kind of ministry. Her advice will be helpful to volunteers and professionals.
Church Next
By Aubrey Malphurs and Michael Malpurs (Kregel)
While outreach is a traditional ministry, the use of the Internet to reach out is new. Many churches are only scratching the surface of how the Internet can be used to bless a local church and help fulfill its mission. If you want to explore this opportunity, try reading this book by the father-son team of Aubrey and Michael Malphurs. The book does not give a lot of technical advice, but it deals effectively with the rationale for using the Internet and gives examples of good Christian Internet sites. It also discusses the basic principles of constructing an effective church Web site.
The mission and objectives of the church have not changed and never should, but we always need to review how we can fulfill that mission and meet those objectives in our times. We should be like the householder of Jesus’ parable who "brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
Mike Shannon is dean at Cincinnati (Ohio) Bible Seminary.
PREVIOUS COLUMNS:
January 18, 2006 - Dealing With the Dark Side
January 4, 2006 - Libraries Without Walls
December 21, 2005 - Communication Concepts from Secular Circles
December 7, 2005 - Words of Wisdom for Women's Ministry
November 23, 2005 - Magnificent Help from the Magazine Rack
November 9, 2005 - Invigorating Volunteers; Developing Disciples
October 26, 2005 - Overcoming Overwhelm
October 12, 2005 - Big Ideas for Smaller Churches
September 28, 2005 - For You and Youth
August 31, 2005 - A Potpourri of Web Sites
August 17, 2005 - Hart-to-Heart Talks
August 3, 2005 - Ken Can Help
July 20, 2005 - Easum Has Some Advice
July 6, 2005 - Finding Illustration Gold Mines
June 22, 2005 - Get Real with Bobb Biehl
June 9, 2005 - Let Len Lend a Hand
May 29, 2005 - A New Angle on Church Growth
May 15, 2005 - It's Your Turn
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