Liturgical Preaching: Contemporary Essays

Rating:
Summary: Preaching in the Divine Service
Review: 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.