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Speaking clearly and generously from an evangelical perspective, Blayne Banting has written a thoughtful, and thought-provoking book on biblical preaching. The sections on textual analysis and interpretation are deeply refreshing and worth the price of the book alone. Thomas G. Long, Ph.D. Bandy Professor of Preaching Candler School of Theology Emory University Blayne Banting has provided a needed, focused treatment of the foundational segment of the preaching task. He has insightfully explored the movement from text to sermon outline. With a concise treatment of the motives and theology of preaching, he has helpfully clarified the movement from the biblical text to the sermon focus (dominant thought) and structure. He concludes with two valuable appendices (sermon forms and textual forms). Chuck Sackett, D.Min. Past-President of the Evangelical Homiletics Society Having joyfully worked alongside Dr. Banting as a colleague, having sat under his faithful preaching, and now having read his engaging homiletic primer, I can testify that Take Up and Read offers a welcome balance on both the theology and practice of preaching. Banting's creative appropriation of the "Bridge" metaphor keeps both biblical and contemporary contexts firmly in mind during the preparation of the sermon. I can only hope that many copies of this book will eventually become dog-eared from continual use and find their place of honor on the desks of many aspiring and experienced preachers alike. David Guretzki, Ph.D. Dean of the Seminary, Associate Professor of Theology Briercrest College and Seminary Blayne Banting, D.Min., Ph.D. is pastor of Caronport Community Church in Caronport, SK as well as an adjunct professor at Briercrest College and Seminary. Dr. Banting is married to Peggy and they have four children.

Christianity is turning brown and moving south. The Christianity the West has known is in recession and has all but dwindled out of recognition in the opening years of the twenty-first century. Well over half of the world's Christians now live in the Global South--Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They are, according to Aberdeen missiologist Andrew Walls, the new Representative Christians. What they think about Christianity will matter more and more and what North America thinks about Christianity will matter less and less. This massive shift in geography and theological point of departure will have a major impact on Christian preaching now and into the future. The Future Shape of Christian Proclamation seeks to begin the conversation about how preaching in the Global South will inform the whole of Christian preaching in the coming years.

Charles Bartow's stated purpose in this practical theology of preaching is "to encourage confidence in the Bible read and the sermon delivered as a means of grace in an age of radical criticism of Scripture, creed, and confession.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Jackson remains one of the most important but least known figures of twentieth-century African American Christian history. In this book, Jared E. Alcántara sets out a definitive academic biography of this complex figure.

Those of us hearing a "Well Told Story" may become more aware of the Implications of that story than by a mere recital of facts. The use of the "Story Form" of relating an event may be the best method of capturing the signifi cance of the actual event. In the understanding and presentation of the Christian faith, "Story" is considered as a "fundamental category of reality." It is the perfect vehicle for presenting the Good News of the Gospel." (John Paul Roth) The presentation of real events in story form preserves the remembrance of reality without limiting its implications to the mere recording of historical facts. The Gospel story carries us beyond the realm of human understanding into the higher realm of faith. The power of story assists us in bridging the gap between the inexplicable in the Gospel Story and the human experience, This holds true with the stories which accompany and support the underlying " Story of God in Jesus Christ." True stories, as is the Gospel Story, will take precedence over stories told only for entertainment or to serve a specifi c agenda, Yet even the stories of integrity and truth need to be told well and with skill. This is discussed in detail herein. As Theologians we must tell the Story with truth and understanding; as Evangelists with persuasiveness and tolerance, and as Preachers, or Witnesses, we must share the Story often, convincingly and with Love. "Loving God, loving each other and the Story never ends

As its name implies, the Reformed tradition grew out of the 16th century Protestant Reformation. The Reformed churches consider themselves to be the Catholic Church reformed. The movement originated in the reform efforts of Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) of Zurich and John Calvin (1509-1564) of Geneva. Although the Reformed movement was dependent upon many Protestant leaders, it was Calvin's tireless work as a writer, preacher, teacher, and social and ecclesiastical reformer that provided a substantial body of literature and an ethos from which the Reformed tradition grew. Today, the Reformed churches are a multicultural, multiethnic, and multinational phenomenon. Historical Dictionary of the Reformed Churches, Third Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 1,000 cross-referenced entries on leaders, personalities, events, facts, movements, and beliefs of the Reformed churches. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about reformed churches.

In the time of the church, transformation, renewal, and the process of coming-to-faith rely on the symbolic efficacy of speech, where God is encountered as a word. The Sacramentality of Preaching examines the thought of Louis-Marie Chauvet and incorporates it into contemporary homiletical theory in order to bolster and renew Christian proclamation that has an intentionally sacramental character. Liturgical preachers will find practical pathways, frameworks, and common language through the use of this innovative sacramentology.

Public Speaking is one of the most important task and challenging to the human beings. It is imperative for all the committed Christians to lean, learn and live with the Biblical truths. As such, the knowledge and application of Scripture is an utmost necessity to be grounded upon the word of God. The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual and moral life, and for knowing God’s will, but is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God’s character and moral law. Basis of Preaching Biblical Message: Preach the Word is for the glory of God, the building up of the church and society, and the spreading of the Gospel to the ends of the earth; that is, to all the creation. Biblical preaching is centered around and takes its content from the inerrant Word of God. True Biblical preaching aims at life change. Biblical preaching also comes through the personality of the preacher. Some communicators or preachers are encouragers, some are confrontational. Some are humour, while others use sound logic and well-reasoned content. It is not good to fall into the trap of trying to mimic your favourite preacher. Instead, learn from them, and develop your own style as a good communicator. Rev Dr Koningthung Ngoru Moyon presents Biblical Preaching in his book ‘Basis of Preaching Biblical Message: Preach the Word’ is both an art and a science. It is a science in the sense that there are rules and principles of communication that we are to follow. It is an art in that each person brings his own unique personality and style to the preaching experience. ‘Preaching is truth through personality’. Both are necessary. However, the very important and foremost focus in the book is that Biblical Preaching is empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit is focus in the book.