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Feed My Sheep
A Great Preacher Writes on Great Preaching
"I have been impressed with two things. The first is that everything that could be said about preaching has already been said, and said better than I could say it. The second is that I know very little about the subject and feel that I have failed in almost every point to be a real preacher and a strong preacher, much less a great preacher."
With that warning, H.M.S. Richards, the "preacher's preacher," went on to deliver an exceptional series of lectures to preachers and seminarians in 1957 that, in published form, soon became a classic. Brimming with anecdotal gems from his vast experience in evangelism and gleaned from his wide reading, Feed My Sheep has become a treasured manual on preaching for several generations of pastors. The counsel seems strikingly contemporary ("The smaller the pulpit, the better"; "Vital preaching is almost always conversational"; "Preach without notes"), while the stories seem timeless.
Most of all, Pastor Richards argues that the only preaching that changes lives is that which centers upon the incomparable Christ, "He of the pierced hands." Few books offer more information-and inspiration-per paragraph; few will light such a lively fire in the soul.
"I have been impressed with two things. The first is that everything that could be said about preaching has already been said, and said better than I could say it. The second is that I know very little about the subject and feel that I have failed in almost every point to be a real preacher and a strong preacher, much less a great preacher."
With that warning, H.M.S. Richards, the "preacher's preacher," went on to deliver an exceptional series of lectures to preachers and seminarians in 1957 that, in published form, soon became a classic. Brimming with anecdotal gems from his vast experience in evangelism and gleaned from his wide reading, Feed My Sheep has become a treasured manual on preaching for several generations of pastors. The counsel seems strikingly contemporary ("The smaller the pulpit, the better"; "Vital preaching is almost always conversational"; "Preach without notes"), while the stories seem timeless.
Most of all, Pastor Richards argues that the only preaching that changes lives is that which centers upon the incomparable Christ, "He of the pierced hands." Few books offer more information-and inspiration-per paragraph; few will light such a lively fire in the soul.
335 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 9, 2012
‘Feed My Sheep’ is replete with anecdotes and stories all relevant to the person and ministry of a pastor. The progression through the book takes us from a conversation on what preaching really is to what a preacher is and what he should read.
It ends with a soaring chapter on the cloud of witness that preachers follow from history when they declare the word of God. Richards has a wonderful turn of phrase and uses metaphors liberally through the book. A particular favorite of mine was “it is the business of preachers not to lecture on botany but to produce flowers.” (p 22)
Richards as evidenced from his own life, was concerned with winning people to the kingdom and not just transmitting interesting information. He knew that preaching to a congregation of 200 took up a total of 100 hours of the congregations combined time.
An interesting book, more pastoral than homiletical.
It ends with a soaring chapter on the cloud of witness that preachers follow from history when they declare the word of God. Richards has a wonderful turn of phrase and uses metaphors liberally through the book. A particular favorite of mine was “it is the business of preachers not to lecture on botany but to produce flowers.” (p 22)
Richards as evidenced from his own life, was concerned with winning people to the kingdom and not just transmitting interesting information. He knew that preaching to a congregation of 200 took up a total of 100 hours of the congregations combined time.
An interesting book, more pastoral than homiletical.
August 3, 2016
A must read for any pastor.
November 20, 2012
Classic, old school, Biblical and "spirit-of-profecy"'cal, it speaks to every man of God.
June 26, 2013
If you are a preacher you must read this book. It help you to understand the importance of this mission and how to become a good one!
September 27, 2021
very good
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews