Preaching That Connects: Using Techniques of Journalists to Add Impact

by Mark Galli

Book Overview

Master the craft of effective communication that grabs attention and wins hearts. Like everyone else, preachers long to be understood. Unfortunately, the rules first learned in seminary, if misapplied, can quickly turn homiletic precision into listener boredom. To capture heart and mind, Mark Galli and Craig Larsen suggest preachers turn to the lessons of journalism. In Preaching That Connects, they show how the same keys used to create effective,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310386217
• ISBN13: 9780310386216
• Release Date: November 1994
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

Strengths - Weaknesses- Contributions

Strengths Foremost, this book is practical. The authors write with experience. As former pastors, both involved in Christian journalism, they offer solid advice which captures the imagination Rather than just giving a list of preaching dos and don'ts, this book offers a plethora of suggestions for the preacher. From using good illustrations, telling good stories, and using words with impact, the pages are filled with techniques for the conscientious preacher. Of particular interest and usefulness is the section on pacing, an integral part of storytelling. Too often, a story loses impact if the storyteller uses complication and resolution improperly. Therefore, the authors go into detail explaining how to bring the necessary elements together for good story telling. The pacing section is indicative of all the other sections, each filled with useful examples and techniques. The section on "Crafting Words That Inspire," is another section providing inspiration. Again, rather than list a number of methods to form words into sentences, the authors have included explanations of several different types of word usage. These paragraphs provide the ingredients of making words come alive, to gain and keep an audience. Wisely, several examples of Jesus' own teachings provide examples for those preacher who might be disagree with using these techniques. Here in this section and through out the book, Galli and Larson not only provide examples of how Jesus taught, but how well respected and successful preachers (listed for reference) use many of the suggestions found within this book. This book interacts with the critical reader. For instance, as Galli and Larson examine preaching through journalistic lenses, a preacher may be tempted to think, "Why do I have to find ways to gain and keep the congregations attention? After all, those who come to church should be prepared to hear biblical preaching, filled with theological content." The answer is simple. People are not prepared. As Galli and Larson illustrate, on any given week most likely the majority of congregants have spent more time exposed to media than the Word of God. Therefore, the preacher needs to design carefully his message to gain and keep people's attention, because the media has conditioned his listeners. This is the whole purpose of this book. Preaching That Connects is fast paced. Geared toward keeping the reader's prompt attention, the book is easily finished within several hours. In fact, indicative of good journalism, the authors have designed the book practicing many of the techniques explained within the book's pages. The book is structured to capture attention. The chapters are short and loaded (as previously discussed) with practical information. Titled with large letters on the first page of the chapter, the title is printed on each subsequent upper right hand margin. Additionally, within each chapter the authors write the subtitles labeled accordingly.

Polish the Preaching

This book about preaching is not for the beginning proclaimer of God's word. There is little about homelitical structure and style. But the book i s a rich read for the developing minister. The text helps the minister polish the presentation and the message of the sermon. It deals with developing engaging introductions, stories, and conclusions. If you are a minister looking to refine your skills, this is a helpful book.

The best book on sermon prep

I dont understand why many turn to straight hard nose technical preaching books. This book is easy to read, and will have you realizing that the writers block you have is easy to get rid of. This is the best book on crafting your sermons. I have read over 10 books so far from other authors and all of them in a nutshell say the same thing but, this book gets you writing immediately. If you are writing sermons, you must have it.

Excellent Book

This book is a masterpiece on crafting sermons that are Biblical, intresting and powerful to deliver. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to enhance your delivery at the preaching moment.

Simple, direct and helpful

Preaching that connects talks about technique in structure. Other preaching books are very theoretical and focus on process or principles of preaching. This author give simple and direct helps that make sermons memorable to the audience. I bought copies for all the preaching pastors at our church.