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One Year to Better Preaching: 52 Exercises to Hone Your Skills
Fifty-two exercises to help pastors refine and enliven their preaching One Year to Better Preaching provides preachers with fifty-two hands-on exercises that sharpen their homiletical skills. The book is designed particularly for those who preach each week—and have been, perhaps, for some time—to help them get out of the rut of the routine and infuse their preaching with new sparks of creativity, fresh approaches to sermon preparation and design, and sharpened verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Novice preachers, also, will find the exercises useful in developing their preaching abilities. Each chapter includes instructions for an exercise, tools and suggestions needed for the exercise, comments from preachers who completed it, and recommended resources for further study The exercises address eight categories of • Prayer and Preaching
• Bible Interpretation
• Understanding Listeners
• Sermon Construction
• Illustrations and Applications
• Word Crafting
• The Preaching Event
• Sermon Evaluation Readers can complete the exercises in the order presented, which address different categories week to week, or they can sharpen their skills in a particular category over a period of weeks by using the chart provided. They might also work through the exercises in collaboration with other preachers. One Year to Better Preaching will leave a preacher reinvigorated and better equipped to proclaim the Word of God skillfully, passionately, and effectively.
• Bible Interpretation
• Understanding Listeners
• Sermon Construction
• Illustrations and Applications
• Word Crafting
• The Preaching Event
• Sermon Evaluation Readers can complete the exercises in the order presented, which address different categories week to week, or they can sharpen their skills in a particular category over a period of weeks by using the chart provided. They might also work through the exercises in collaboration with other preachers. One Year to Better Preaching will leave a preacher reinvigorated and better equipped to proclaim the Word of God skillfully, passionately, and effectively.
- GenresTheology
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Overdorf
13 books10 followersDaniel Overdorf grew up in the mountains of eastern Tennessee and southern West Virginia, where he experienced the value of the blue-collar work ethic, the wonder of Appalachian storytelling, and the joy of being raised in the home of a preacher who loves the church with all his heart.
These early influences continue to shape his perspectives of life and faith. He graduated from Johnson University, then spent the next ten years ministering with churches in Illinois and Georgia. In the meantime, he earned a Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. At Gordon-Conwell, he had the joy of studying for four years under Haddon Robinson, a patriarch in the field of preaching. Robinson's influence significantly shaped Overdorf's philosophy and approach to preaching, both as a preacher and as a professor.
Since 2005, Daniel has taught at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee, where his current position is Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Director of Preaching Programs. He loves the campus atmosphere and the relationships that he shares with students and colleagues.
He has been married to his lovely and gifted wife, Carrie, for twenty-five years. They have two sons and a daughter. He enjoys watching college sports, hiking, playing golf, and, most of all, cheering for his kids at their softball and basketball games and choir performances.
These early influences continue to shape his perspectives of life and faith. He graduated from Johnson University, then spent the next ten years ministering with churches in Illinois and Georgia. In the meantime, he earned a Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. At Gordon-Conwell, he had the joy of studying for four years under Haddon Robinson, a patriarch in the field of preaching. Robinson's influence significantly shaped Overdorf's philosophy and approach to preaching, both as a preacher and as a professor.
Since 2005, Daniel has taught at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee, where his current position is Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Director of Preaching Programs. He loves the campus atmosphere and the relationships that he shares with students and colleagues.
He has been married to his lovely and gifted wife, Carrie, for twenty-five years. They have two sons and a daughter. He enjoys watching college sports, hiking, playing golf, and, most of all, cheering for his kids at their softball and basketball games and choir performances.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 24, 2013
Since I am not a preacher or pastor by vocation, books designed to assist those in the ministry with honing their preaching skills are quite honestly not works I am typically drawn to read. With that said, I am a member of a church congregation so hearing a quality message rooted in the timeless truths of Scripture is something I desire each time I attend church. Furthermore, I would argue most congregants are likely unaware of what goes in to the preparation of a sermon. For those reasons, I felt the need to give Daniel Overdorf’s book, One Year to Better Preaching: 52 Exercises to Hone Your Skills a perusal.
In the spirit of the concept of doing exercise, Overdorf presents his material in short and easily absorbed chapters. Taken individually, these suggested exercises seem to this layman to be valuable methods and regimens that if engaged in, will assist the pastor or teacher in developing a sermon rooted in Scriptural truth. It must also be noted, again using the concept of exercise, six pack abs were not created in a day. Exercise takes repeated effort, constantly returning to the various parts of the body in a consistent and purposeful manner in order to strengthen the complete body. An over focus on one particular element of the physique will result in other aspects of the individual’s body being unduly neglected thus throwing off the necessary healthy balance that should result from a purposeful exercise regimen. This same idea should be taken when reading Overdorf’s work. Consistent and purposeful use of the exercises he provides will enable the reader to better strengthen their instructional acumen. Also, as with physical exercise, this cannot be approached with the attitude that since all 52 exercises have been completed, there is no need to return to these exercises in the future. Building up one’s ability in an area of life takes repeated concerted effort and the material presented by Overdorf is no exception to that rule.
I truly appreciated the fact that Overdorf included in his list of exercises the necessity to make a beeline to the cross in any preparation or delivery of a sermon. This approach was taken by an individual often called the “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Haddon Spurgeon who, as noted by Overdorf, once stated in reference to his own approach to preaching, “I take my text and make a beeline to the cross.” Given that the entirety of Scripture is a discussion of God’s redemption plan and how He is working that plan out to absolute perfection, an essential exercise for honing one’s sermon skills has to involve the declaration of the saving message of the gospel found at the foot of the cross.
Another aspect I enjoyed about this book was the resources for additional reading provided by Overdorf. Given there are a variety of other helpful books on the market on the subject of preaching and teaching, it was refreshing to see Overdorf direct the reader to those other resources. For bibliophiles such as myself, knowing what other resources are available on similar and/or related subjects is always helpful.
Those who read One Year to Better Preaching by Daniel Overdorf will be challenged. The exercises he provides will stretch the reader’s mental and spiritual muscles in a positive direction, building them up in the truth of God’s word in a manner that will lead to not just better skills at their “job”, but more importantly, it will lead to the people of God being able to hear the Word of God in a way that will build up the body of Christ.
I received this book for free from Kregel Ministry for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In the spirit of the concept of doing exercise, Overdorf presents his material in short and easily absorbed chapters. Taken individually, these suggested exercises seem to this layman to be valuable methods and regimens that if engaged in, will assist the pastor or teacher in developing a sermon rooted in Scriptural truth. It must also be noted, again using the concept of exercise, six pack abs were not created in a day. Exercise takes repeated effort, constantly returning to the various parts of the body in a consistent and purposeful manner in order to strengthen the complete body. An over focus on one particular element of the physique will result in other aspects of the individual’s body being unduly neglected thus throwing off the necessary healthy balance that should result from a purposeful exercise regimen. This same idea should be taken when reading Overdorf’s work. Consistent and purposeful use of the exercises he provides will enable the reader to better strengthen their instructional acumen. Also, as with physical exercise, this cannot be approached with the attitude that since all 52 exercises have been completed, there is no need to return to these exercises in the future. Building up one’s ability in an area of life takes repeated concerted effort and the material presented by Overdorf is no exception to that rule.
I truly appreciated the fact that Overdorf included in his list of exercises the necessity to make a beeline to the cross in any preparation or delivery of a sermon. This approach was taken by an individual often called the “Prince of Preachers”, Charles Haddon Spurgeon who, as noted by Overdorf, once stated in reference to his own approach to preaching, “I take my text and make a beeline to the cross.” Given that the entirety of Scripture is a discussion of God’s redemption plan and how He is working that plan out to absolute perfection, an essential exercise for honing one’s sermon skills has to involve the declaration of the saving message of the gospel found at the foot of the cross.
Another aspect I enjoyed about this book was the resources for additional reading provided by Overdorf. Given there are a variety of other helpful books on the market on the subject of preaching and teaching, it was refreshing to see Overdorf direct the reader to those other resources. For bibliophiles such as myself, knowing what other resources are available on similar and/or related subjects is always helpful.
Those who read One Year to Better Preaching by Daniel Overdorf will be challenged. The exercises he provides will stretch the reader’s mental and spiritual muscles in a positive direction, building them up in the truth of God’s word in a manner that will lead to not just better skills at their “job”, but more importantly, it will lead to the people of God being able to hear the Word of God in a way that will build up the body of Christ.
I received this book for free from Kregel Ministry for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
September 10, 2013
am one called to preach the Word, so I read books that will help me grow as a preacher. Preaching resources generally fall into one of two categories (other than good or bad). Some preaching books focus on ‘preaching technique.’ Other books major in looking at the message of preaching and helping preachers attend to the text before them. Rare books accomplish both objectives. Daniel Overdorf has written a book which does.
One Year To Better Preaching compiles fifty-two exercises to help preachers preach as they practice. You can go through this book in a year by doing one of these exercises as part of your weekly sermon preparation. Alternatively, these exercises focus on eight different areas, so preachers can focus on areas of weakness in their preaching. Topics covered include:
Prayer and Preaching
Bible Interpretation
Understanding Listeners
Sermon Construction
Illustration and Application
Word Crafting
The Preaching Event
Sermon Evaluation (from page 11 of the introduction).
Overdorf also suggests focusing on one or two exercises a month or reading this with a group of preachers. However you read (and practice) this book, these exercises will help you grow in your ability to proclaim God’s Word. Each chapter has a description of a preaching component, a corresponding practical exercise, testimonials from other preachers, and suggested resources (i.e. articles, books, websites) to help you continue to grow in that area.
Seasoned preachers will have honed their skills in some areas already; however we can all grow in our preaching. I flagged several of these chapters to come back to and work through for the next times I am in the pulpit. Overdorf has a gift for writing pithy chapters which pack a punch. There is a lot of practical wisdom here! I enjoyed the chapters which talked about ‘word craft’ in preaching. Overdorf helps us not waste words as we proclaim the Word. Using language well is something I am passionate about and still need to grow in. Other chapters remind preachers of the basics (i.e. the importance of prayer, learning the historical and literary context of the passage, preaching from the big idea, considering your audience, etc). These suggestions are made by just about every preaching book, but by attaching the message to a hands-on practice, Overdorf makes his message stick.
The copy of this book that I read through was in PDF format. I read books in electronic format and enjoy them.; however I think that if you decide to read through a book of exercises like this, you will want to read through the physical copy (Available from Amazon starting September 16th). I find practical manuals like this are most helpful when you can mark them up, dog-ear pages and underline a lot. This isn’t a book made to look pretty on your shelf or take up space on your hard drive. This is a book for preachers to practice what and how they preach.
I give this book five stars and plan to put it into practice.
Thank you to Kregel Academic for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
One Year To Better Preaching compiles fifty-two exercises to help preachers preach as they practice. You can go through this book in a year by doing one of these exercises as part of your weekly sermon preparation. Alternatively, these exercises focus on eight different areas, so preachers can focus on areas of weakness in their preaching. Topics covered include:
Prayer and Preaching
Bible Interpretation
Understanding Listeners
Sermon Construction
Illustration and Application
Word Crafting
The Preaching Event
Sermon Evaluation (from page 11 of the introduction).
Overdorf also suggests focusing on one or two exercises a month or reading this with a group of preachers. However you read (and practice) this book, these exercises will help you grow in your ability to proclaim God’s Word. Each chapter has a description of a preaching component, a corresponding practical exercise, testimonials from other preachers, and suggested resources (i.e. articles, books, websites) to help you continue to grow in that area.
Seasoned preachers will have honed their skills in some areas already; however we can all grow in our preaching. I flagged several of these chapters to come back to and work through for the next times I am in the pulpit. Overdorf has a gift for writing pithy chapters which pack a punch. There is a lot of practical wisdom here! I enjoyed the chapters which talked about ‘word craft’ in preaching. Overdorf helps us not waste words as we proclaim the Word. Using language well is something I am passionate about and still need to grow in. Other chapters remind preachers of the basics (i.e. the importance of prayer, learning the historical and literary context of the passage, preaching from the big idea, considering your audience, etc). These suggestions are made by just about every preaching book, but by attaching the message to a hands-on practice, Overdorf makes his message stick.
The copy of this book that I read through was in PDF format. I read books in electronic format and enjoy them.; however I think that if you decide to read through a book of exercises like this, you will want to read through the physical copy (Available from Amazon starting September 16th). I find practical manuals like this are most helpful when you can mark them up, dog-ear pages and underline a lot. This isn’t a book made to look pretty on your shelf or take up space on your hard drive. This is a book for preachers to practice what and how they preach.
I give this book five stars and plan to put it into practice.
Thank you to Kregel Academic for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 8, 2013
One Year to Better Preaching is an excellent book for pastors and communicators who want to improve their preaching, communication skills, and teaching. The book provides the reader with fifty-two experiential exercises designed to hone the craft of preaching and communicating the gospel effectively.
As communicators and teachers of the gospel, we must take our calling and craft seriously and seek to improve and do our jobs with excellence. Continued professional development is essential. This book offers fifty-two helpful exercises, one for every week of the year, to help develop the necessary skills needed to execute an effective sermon or teaching time.
Communicating and preaching is an art, but is also a skill that can be developed. One Year to Better Preaching provides an assortment of engaging, diverse and creative exercises, tools, suggestions and resources for the following eight categorizations of preaching: Prayer and Preaching, Bible Interpretation, Understanding Listeners, Sermon Construction, Illustrations and Applications, Word Crafting, The Preaching Event, and Sermon Evaluation.
The versatility of the book’s use is described on the publisher’s website; “Readers can complete the exercises in the order presented, which address different categories week to week, or they can sharpen their skills in a particular category over a period of weeks by using the chart provided. They might also work through the exercises in collaboration with other preachers.” The author, Daniel Overdorf, really seeks to serve pastors with this work and caters to their need for versatility.
The author, Daniel Overdorf, who has a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and over ten years of pastoral experience, is well positioned to speak with authority, clarity, accuracy and skill on the subject of homiletics, the art of preaching. He presently teaches preaching and pastoral ministries and is a member of the Evangelical Homiletical Society. He has also previously written on the subject of preaching in his book Applying the Sermon.
Kregel Publication, the book’s publisher, has the following description of Overdorf’s book, One Year to Better Preaching, on their website:
"The book is designed particularly for those who preach each week—and have been, perhaps, for some time—to help them get out of the rut of the routine and infuse their preaching with new sparks of creativity, fresh approaches to sermon preparation and design, and sharpened verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Novice preachers, also, will find the exercises useful in developing their preaching abilities."
I highly recommend One Year to Better Preaching and think it is a wonderful resource that will serve any pastor, Bible teacher or communicator well and agree with the publisher that “One Year to Better Preaching will leave a preacher reinvigorated and better equipped to proclaim the Word of God skillfully, passionately, and effectively.”
In exchange for this non-biased review, the reviewer received a free copy of the book, One Year to Better Preaching. This review is also published on My Two Mites, Examiner, Amazon, and Christian Book.
As communicators and teachers of the gospel, we must take our calling and craft seriously and seek to improve and do our jobs with excellence. Continued professional development is essential. This book offers fifty-two helpful exercises, one for every week of the year, to help develop the necessary skills needed to execute an effective sermon or teaching time.
Communicating and preaching is an art, but is also a skill that can be developed. One Year to Better Preaching provides an assortment of engaging, diverse and creative exercises, tools, suggestions and resources for the following eight categorizations of preaching: Prayer and Preaching, Bible Interpretation, Understanding Listeners, Sermon Construction, Illustrations and Applications, Word Crafting, The Preaching Event, and Sermon Evaluation.
The versatility of the book’s use is described on the publisher’s website; “Readers can complete the exercises in the order presented, which address different categories week to week, or they can sharpen their skills in a particular category over a period of weeks by using the chart provided. They might also work through the exercises in collaboration with other preachers.” The author, Daniel Overdorf, really seeks to serve pastors with this work and caters to their need for versatility.
The author, Daniel Overdorf, who has a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and over ten years of pastoral experience, is well positioned to speak with authority, clarity, accuracy and skill on the subject of homiletics, the art of preaching. He presently teaches preaching and pastoral ministries and is a member of the Evangelical Homiletical Society. He has also previously written on the subject of preaching in his book Applying the Sermon.
Kregel Publication, the book’s publisher, has the following description of Overdorf’s book, One Year to Better Preaching, on their website:
"The book is designed particularly for those who preach each week—and have been, perhaps, for some time—to help them get out of the rut of the routine and infuse their preaching with new sparks of creativity, fresh approaches to sermon preparation and design, and sharpened verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Novice preachers, also, will find the exercises useful in developing their preaching abilities."
I highly recommend One Year to Better Preaching and think it is a wonderful resource that will serve any pastor, Bible teacher or communicator well and agree with the publisher that “One Year to Better Preaching will leave a preacher reinvigorated and better equipped to proclaim the Word of God skillfully, passionately, and effectively.”
In exchange for this non-biased review, the reviewer received a free copy of the book, One Year to Better Preaching. This review is also published on My Two Mites, Examiner, Amazon, and Christian Book.
September 17, 2013
'Lose 50 Pounds In Just One Week'
'Earn Money From Home'
'Feel Younger in Days'
'One Year To Better Preaching' –– Wait, that's the title of the book I'm reviewing here. If I have one beef with this book, it's the title. It's off-putting because it sounds just like all the other claptrap I threw out there to start off this little review. When I read the title to my wife, Ann, she said (I kid you not), 'That's spam, isn't it? That can't be the book you're supposed to read?'
Okay, now that I have that our of my system, let me get on with the positives.
Even though a bit skeptical, due to titular concerns, I found this book to be challengingly helpful. The challenge would be if you took it literally and seriously and attempted to apply each of the 52 exercises, one per week, through the course of a year. I don't think it's really possible. Not if you're involved in all the other things/events/activities/parts of pastoral ministry. And especially not if you're the pastor of a small church (yours truly). However, I did indeed like the challenge of having a group of pastors work together on some of the suggested practices. I'm the 'leader' (coordinator) of our regional pastors' cluster and this will make for some great discussion fodder.
I will also, personally, consider the author's challenge to focus on just a few of the eight key areas. One or two weaknesses might easily see some shoring up by employing some of Overdorf's suggestions. A strength or two might be made even better, as well. Granted, there are a few of the chapters/exercise I'll probably not ever do. (I just can't bring myself to allow video to enter into the equation. I'm not a strict follower of the Regulative Principle, but I use it enough that this simply won't come into play.)
Overall, however, I think this is a book with some great potential for pastors. If you're just fresh out of Bible College or seminary, grab this and begin to learn now. Trust me, you DID NOT learn it all in your seminary's homiletics class. If you've been out there for a few years, let this be a breath of fresh air for you. If you're on the vastly-veteranized side of things (I'm now in my 29th year), let these settle upon you easily, lightly, gently. Let them stretch those old, tired preaching muscles. Maybe you'll even want to start with Chapter Eight and have your listeners evaluate your preaching and go from there.
I commend this book to you.
'Earn Money From Home'
'Feel Younger in Days'
'One Year To Better Preaching' –– Wait, that's the title of the book I'm reviewing here. If I have one beef with this book, it's the title. It's off-putting because it sounds just like all the other claptrap I threw out there to start off this little review. When I read the title to my wife, Ann, she said (I kid you not), 'That's spam, isn't it? That can't be the book you're supposed to read?'
Okay, now that I have that our of my system, let me get on with the positives.
Even though a bit skeptical, due to titular concerns, I found this book to be challengingly helpful. The challenge would be if you took it literally and seriously and attempted to apply each of the 52 exercises, one per week, through the course of a year. I don't think it's really possible. Not if you're involved in all the other things/events/activities/parts of pastoral ministry. And especially not if you're the pastor of a small church (yours truly). However, I did indeed like the challenge of having a group of pastors work together on some of the suggested practices. I'm the 'leader' (coordinator) of our regional pastors' cluster and this will make for some great discussion fodder.
I will also, personally, consider the author's challenge to focus on just a few of the eight key areas. One or two weaknesses might easily see some shoring up by employing some of Overdorf's suggestions. A strength or two might be made even better, as well. Granted, there are a few of the chapters/exercise I'll probably not ever do. (I just can't bring myself to allow video to enter into the equation. I'm not a strict follower of the Regulative Principle, but I use it enough that this simply won't come into play.)
Overall, however, I think this is a book with some great potential for pastors. If you're just fresh out of Bible College or seminary, grab this and begin to learn now. Trust me, you DID NOT learn it all in your seminary's homiletics class. If you've been out there for a few years, let this be a breath of fresh air for you. If you're on the vastly-veteranized side of things (I'm now in my 29th year), let these settle upon you easily, lightly, gently. Let them stretch those old, tired preaching muscles. Maybe you'll even want to start with Chapter Eight and have your listeners evaluate your preaching and go from there.
I commend this book to you.
November 7, 2014
This book is an excellent resource for any preacher, whether they are a young seminary student or an experienced veteran. Overdorf actually offers around 60 exercises (he includes a few "bonus" exercises at the end) that can be used to help improve our creativity and communication.
Daniel is a friend, and I sat through a couple of presentations before reading the book. The book itself is a quick read for being as long as it is. The individual exercises can be worked through in about an hour or less each.
My only critique with this book is that a few of the exercises are not as solid or "creative" as they are purported as being. I would recommend, in addition to Overdorf's book, that the preacher who wishes to improve his or her creativity and communication also read *An Introduction to Creative Thinking* by Carpenter, Sweet and Blythe and/or *The Write Stuff* by Sondra Willobee.
Daniel is a friend, and I sat through a couple of presentations before reading the book. The book itself is a quick read for being as long as it is. The individual exercises can be worked through in about an hour or less each.
My only critique with this book is that a few of the exercises are not as solid or "creative" as they are purported as being. I would recommend, in addition to Overdorf's book, that the preacher who wishes to improve his or her creativity and communication also read *An Introduction to Creative Thinking* by Carpenter, Sweet and Blythe and/or *The Write Stuff* by Sondra Willobee.
September 25, 2013
A very practical book. Small chapters full of good suggestions and helpful resources. Best read a chapter at a time and then doing the exercises.
December 24, 2015
The exercises are really helpful and I've had my congregation join in some of them. The only downside is the only example of a women preacher (1 out of 52) was one who did something wrong
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews