Topical Preaching in a Complex World
How to Proclaim Truth and Relevance at the Same Time
- Preaching & Worship
- Publisher: Zondervan Academic (Zondervan)
- Published: 2021
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Publisher's Description
Be Equipped to Prepare and Deliver Engaging, Biblical, and Effective Topical Sermons Sooner or later, every preacher will come upon a situation where they need to preach a topical sermon. Yet few are taught to preach topically. Even preachers who are gifted in expositing the Scriptures may struggle to deliver a topical sermon that is engaging, culturally relevant, and true to the biblical text. Worse, many pastors worry these messages undermine confidence in the Bible or its authority, leading to a human-centered rather than a God-focused sermon. But that doesn't have to be the case. In Topical Preaching in a Complex World, Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill answer these objections and chart a path for how preachers can deliver faithful and effective topical messages. First, they address the biblical, theological, and cultural reasons pastors should add topical sermons to their preaching repertoire. Then, they introduce a straightforward, four-fold approach for preaching a topical message and answer important questions like these: How do you approach a topic with the proper interpretative lens? How can you speak to two or more audiences with the same sermon? What should you consider theologically, culturally, and pastorally in your preparation? How do you trace the topic back to Christ? How can you better connect with your audience? Best of all, they help readers craft a message that says something people truly need (and want) to hear! Filled with wit, humor, and wisdom from decades of preaching, this book will equip preachers, pastors, ministry leaders, and students to preach relevant, biblical, and engaging topical sermons. Author Sam Chan says, " Just over a decade ago, I was asked by an organization to speak at their end-of-year dinner. They wanted me to address the topic of being a Christian single, but I had no idea how to prepare and deliver a topical talk. When the night arrived, I preached an old three-point expository sermon and merely changed the ending to include some application on singleness. At best, I got some polite comments afterwards. At worst, people's looks indicated that my biblical talk had little relevance for them. They could not have been less fooled by my disingenuous workaround. I went home vowing never to repeat that poor performance. I felt like the unfaithful servant who had not adequately used what talents had been given to him. As a result, I have dedicated the last decade of my preaching ministry to overcoming and mastering the art of topical preaching. This book is a product of that journey."
Endorsements (10)
“Chan and Gill have put into our hands a compelling work on the benefits of, and skills involved in, topical preaching. Anyone who loves preaching or wants to be better equipped to preach should read this book. I can’t wait to use it to train preachers in Europe.”
“We need preachers who bring the bread of life to hungry people in a way that is true, biblical, winsome, and ultimately life-giving. Chan and Gill equip us with tools for this crucial task as they offer insight on how to proclaim Christ to a needy world. May we catch their vision.”
“what is required homiletically, theologically, pastorally, and exegetically with an eye on the cultural requirements that make communication work. This is a book I have longed to have. Every preacher should step into the pulpit confidently with its wisdom in hand.”
“Chan and Gill have made an incredible contribution to the study of preaching by providing a work that is fresh and faithful. With robust realism and penetrating insight, the authors provide a convincing case for the how and the why of topical preaching. Not only will I use this book with my preaching team at church, it will become a staple in my homiletics classes.”
“I said I didn’t believe in topical preaching. But the truth is, I didn’t know how to do it while staying true to my convictions about preaching. At last, Chan and Gill have taught me how to construct topical sermons that are culturally and pastorally sensitive, scriptural, theological, and centered on Christ. This is the book that has been missing from the evangelical preacher’s library. I am thankful it is no longer missing from mine.”
“For Chan and Gill, topical preaching in a complex world isn’t as difficult as one might think. This helpful book provides markers for preachers to follow as they prepare to preach sermons that address—and need to address—issues facing congregations, the church, and wider society today and in the future.”
“Chan and Gill have gifted the church and the academy with an outstanding resource that answers the many questions that loom large about topical preaching. This is the best homiletics book on the topic, bar none. Read it and respond to its wisdom for yourself and for the sake of your congregation.”
“Faithfully handling God’s Word while addressing a topic well takes real skill. This great practical book unravels all the aspects involved and gives workable strategies for approaching each. The resources here are invaluable, and I’ll be using them again and again.”
“Chan and Gill winningly stretch our minds and perspectives regarding topical preaching. In doing so, they strengthen and expand our understanding of preaching and our call to contextualize and connect God’s enduring truths with the current concerns of the world.”
Rev. Laura Murray
“100 percent relevance, Gill and Chan remind us that topical preaching is worthwhile, timely, and needed to introduce the love and grace of Jesus to the world today. This is a stellar work that will have lasting impact.”
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