The Minister's Manual

by James W. Cox

In its 77th year, The Minister's Manual is the single most comprehensive resource for preaching and worship available. Filled with completely new material for 2002, this nondenominational guide is the best source for sermons, prayers, insights, and inspiration for all--from pastors and lay leaders to Sunday school teachers and choir directors. Turn to The Minister's Manual for: Complete sermons for the entire year, featuring both topical and lectionary...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787950033
• ISBN13: 9780787950033
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 472 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.3" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Newbie Pastor Gains Confidence!

I recently moved from a position as a youth pastor (multimedia, praise songs, crazy stunts) to become the pastor of a congregation which meets in a retirement village. (Average age of my parishioners is 80+.) I'd never planned a Sunday service. I didn't even know how to sing the traditional hymns! But I trust God, and my elders (the whole congregation is at least 30 years older than me!) are training me well and with great love. This book has really helped me to understand how to design a well-paced worship service. The lectionary notes have been very beneficial to my sermons (now if I could only learn not to say "dudes"...) I totally recommend this book. As congregations grow older and church financial resources are diminished, there is a great need for basic how-to instructions for new/bivocational/volunteer ministers, and many of us have a full-time "day job" which means that we have to plan our services and write our sermons quickly and efficiently.

For Lectionary Preachers

This volume covers common lectionary texts for years C (Jan-Nov), and A (Dec). An excellent, easy to use, one volume "pump primer" for the pulpit/sanctuary.

Great help to ministers from Bulgaria

I have purchased 2 Ministers Manuals for use by Methodist Ministers serving in Bulgaria. One minister has used the manuals since 1994, the other is a first year minister. I have been told they are very helpful

The Best Preacher's Helper Anywhere

As a lay preacher I have used a couple of different preacher's annuals for sermon inspiration and ideas, but this Minister's Manual by James Cox is by far the best one I've ever used. It has so much more than the others; in fact, I've been using it to plan entire worship services.I like the topical sermons and the illustrations, and the organization is very easy to follow. I also like that James Cox's annual is hardcover rather than paperback, because it lays flat on my desk next to the computer. The other ones I've purchased are harder to use.I highly recommend this preaching annual.

A wonderful handbook for every preacher or teacher.

This book contains a terific selection of complete sermon outlines plus illustrations. Any pastor, teacher, or music minister will find this this book helpful. Each sermon is complete with illustration, hymms and scripture readings. The sermons follow the revised lextionary. I highly recomend this book.