Sermons Books

Book Synopsis This dramatic early 14th century Middle English sermon rehearses humanity''s wretchedness and the world''s instability, before contemplating the journey from death to the anguish of purgatory and hell, or ultimately to the joys of heaven. Its 7,316 lines of rhyming couplets present sensational descriptions intended to shock the audience into religious zeal, alongside a biblical exegesis reinforcing the message of salvation and cautioning against its impediments. Although the Main version of the Pricke of Conscience has thrice been edited from three manuscripts, no version from the Southern Recension group has appeared to date. This edited version of a shorter, tighter Southern manuscript fills the gap. In-line glosses, extensive notes and translated Latin quotations make this fascinating text accessible to modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe church is an all–age family, and the whole family can grow through hearing the word of God preached. With the Bible at the centre of every service, Nathan Burley, Julian Milson and Nigel Styles give helpful foundations and suggestions for how to include everyone in the church family in the message, before going through a large number of worked examples. The Get Preaching series is for all preachers. These short books will help the novice preacher on a course of faithful preaching, the experienced preacher to hone their skills, and preaching groups sharpen each other. However you use this book we hope that it will achieve its twin aims. That you would get preaching (understanding the task at hand) and get preaching (doing more preaching).

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Book SynopsisThe gospel is powerful; we just need to speak it. In this very practical, short book from the Get Preaching series, Nigel Style reminds us what preaching is, what the message of the cross is, and why that is something to be heralded to all the world. Bringing these two points together he explains the importance of always preaching the cross when preaching the Bible. The Get Preaching series is for all preachers. These short books will help the novice preacher on a course of faithful preaching, the experienced preacher to hone their skills, and preaching groups sharpen each other. However you use this book we hope that it will achieve its twin aims. That you would get preaching (understanding the task at hand) and get preaching (doing more preaching).

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Book SynopsisGet Up Off Your Knees is a thoughtful and provocative collection of sermons by a group of preachers from across the international church spectrum who have been moved to theological reflection on the art and work of U2. This book will appeal to fans of U2, students of homiletics, and everyone interested in the intersection of art, popular culture, and religion.Trade ReviewLike a cross between a hermeneutical ‘capture the flag’ and a theological ‘Where’s Waldo?’ * Chicago Sun-Times *They offer a welcome portrait of what’s possible when you have three chords and the truth. * Books and Culture *I wouldn’t be at all surprised if after you read a few of these sermons you’ll be hungrier for a more meaningful life. -- Scott Calhoun, @U2.comWhat I want to holler is the great news that this book, these sermons inspired by the lyrics of U2, really is a fine collection. Get Up Off Your Knees simply cannot be summarized. Each sermon deserves its own critical and prayerful engagement. -- Byron Borger * Coalition For Christian Outreach *Whiteley, Maynard, and company have created a book that could have been subtitled 'A Brief Look at Christianity for Novices'. You might not know the theological jargon, but if you’re a U2 fan you probably have experienced the sorts of things these writers were taught about at their divinity schools. -- Angela Pancella, U2.comIt will stretch you, inspire you, make you think—but perhaps most important, bring you to prayer in an active and engaged way. . . . Raewynne and Beth have put together a beautifully concise, but well argued rationale for meeting God in popular culture, and provided some ideas of how to go about helping us do it. -- Mary Hess * Luther Seminary *

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Book SynopsisIn Midrash for Beginners, Rabbi Edwin Goldberg presents English readers with an easily accessible entrance into the fascinating and insightful world of Midrash. Instead of trying to explain or define the Midrash and the midrashic process, Rabbi Goldberg gives beginning students the opportunity to explore and study Midrash themselves by focusing exclusively on the biblical character of Joseph. The story of Joseph is one of the best-known and most-loved tales in the Bible. From his rivalry with his brothers, and his father's apparent favoritism, to his being sold into slavery and rising up to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, Joseph's story contains lessons and symbolism that are as relevant to Jews today as they were to the rabbinic commentators of more than a thousand years ago

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Book SynopsisSermons from one of the country’s best-known theologians 17 sermons, from “Saints” and “Letting Go,” to “Recognizing Jesus/Seeing Salvation” and “Clothe Your Ministers in Righteousness” Two bonus presentations on “Leadership” and “An Open Letter to Christians Beginning College” in the appendixTrade Review“Unfailingly fresh, rich and nourishing as the rest of his work.”—Rowan Williams, 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and Master, Magdalene College at Cambridge University“Lay people, you will relish this banquet—and preachers, you can study at the feet of a master.”—Fleming Rutledge, author of Not Ashamed of the Gospel and The Undoing of Death “Here is Hauer testifying to the church, clearly, joyfully restoring the adventure of being Christian. —Will Willimon, Bishop of the United Methodist Church (ret.) and Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke University“Hauerwas offers what many Christians long for and never find: practical reflection on what it is to live and think as a Christian.”—Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School

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Book SynopsisVery little communication takes place between most pastors/priests and their congregants regarding the weekly sermon/homily. This lack of constructive dialogue has resulted in Sunday messages that are not only out-of-touch with where parishioners are living, but for the most part what’s said isn’t remembered much beyond the church parking lot. Dr. Mains contends that people in the pew can best judge when a sermon is helpful to them and when it isn’t. So why not include them in the process of both preparing and evaluating sermons? Not preaching the sermons. . . . .but again, preparing and evaluating them. He makes these changes sound so simple and practical that you can’t help but wonder, “Why weren’t these ideas implemented years ago?” Most people in the pew don’t realize how integral they are to finding a solution to this problem. But the pulpit/pew combination can be an incredibly powerful team, so let’s begin to work together to help solve this mystery of what’s happening to sermons. This is not a negative book or one that only points out problems. Instead, it’s a positive, practical and encouraging read that should fill you with hope for not only your local congregation, but churches everywhere.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Sermon-Sucking Black Hole Chapter 2: The Best Sermon Judges Chapter 3: Two of the Four Simple Sermon-Evaluation Questions Chapter 4: Do You Know How to Do That? Chapter 5: How Long Is It Going to Take? Chapter 6: Becoming Your Pastor’s Supportive Friend Chapter 7: The “Sunday Search” Game Chapter 8: Soliciting Listener Input Chapter 9: Living a Lie Isn’t the Answer Chapter 10: The Sermon as Part of a Whole Chapter 11: Rat-a-tat-tat: The Power of Repetition Chapter 12: Practice Planning: Mother’s Day Chapter 13: Mother’s Day Sermon: A Working Draft Chapter 14: The Ultimate Compliment Chapter 15: The Joy of Fishing Chapter 16: Leaving the Sidelines Chapter 17: We’re Not Perfect, But We’re Making Progress Chapter 18: Partners in Sermon- and Service-Planning Chapter 19: Laughter, Creativity and Productivity Chapter 20: Star Nurseries

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Book Synopsis• Offers insight into the issue of vocation and ministry for a large number of prospective clergy • Continues the conversation on LGBTQ incorporation into the life of the church Along with the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church has been in the vanguard in opening up the option of ordination to holy orders for partnered gay and lesbian people. As a result, many gays and lesbians are considering an option, which just a decade ago, would have been impossible. The question then becomes, “Does God want me—in my full integrity as a gay “out” person—as a priest in the church?” This is the first book to look at the issue of discernment in the Episcopal Church while simultaneously taking seriously the dynamics for a gay person seeking to discern his or her future in the church.Trade Review“Gregory L. Millikin’s book tells the story of his coming out as a gay man, his being called to the priesthood, and how these two significant processes have been increasingly interwoven in his life. The story is peppered with some solid theological thinking. But this book is written largely as a reflection on what the Episcopal ordination process involves for those who believe themselves called to the priesthood of the church. It’s a good, honest read for anyone considering ordination as well as those already involved in the process.”—The Rev. Carter Heyward, author, She Flies On“Millikin’s narrative quilt of wit, theology, and history warms the reader in a way only he can . . . an indispensable work. Hollywood certainly meets heaven in Greg’s thoughtful treatment of an all-too-fraught convergence of subjects.”—The Rev. Canon Broderick Lee Greer, Canon Precentor at Saint John’s Cathedral, Denver, Colorado“Greg’s story offers encouragement to any LGBT+ persons seeking vocational clarity regarding a potential call to ordained service in the church.”—The Rev. Sam Portaro, author, Sense and Sensibility“Touching, in places humorous, and deeply wise, this is a powerful, helpful, and potentially transformative book.”— The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, PhD, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology and Ethics

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