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A Little Handbook for Preachers: Ten Practical Ways to a Better Sermon by Sunday
No function of the pastor is as visible and stress inducing as preaching. Being a good preacher requires learning the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical skills needed to effectively share God's word with a congregation. It demands a commitment to the craft of preaching. But few pastors feel adequately prepared for this high-stakes responsibility when they begin their ministries. Mary Hulst knows what it takes to preach well. Forged by her experiences as a pastor, preaching professor and college chaplain, she recognizes the challenges of the pulpit. In this uniquely practical book, Hulst provides foundational concepts and tips that all pastors can use, whether they are ministry newcomers or seasoned professionals. Preaching can bring both you and your congregation great joy and satisfaction, week after week. And A Little Handbook for Preachers can help you deliver a better sermon by Sunday.
- GenresChristianityChristian
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2016
39 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 27, 2021
Helpful, engaging, and encouraging
January 18, 2022
After preaching almost every Sunday for 35 years, it's easy to fall into old habits and familiar ruts of preparation and delivery. These not only make the message seem stale, but also rob the process of creating a sermon of the inherent joy that is possesses. So, for a good while I tried to read at least one book about preaching each year, but the past few years I have failed to do this.
I don't recall how I heard about Mary Hulst's 'Little Handbook for Preachers', but I am so glad that I did. I gave this book five stars, with the caveat that this is from a preacher and for preachers. I was encouraged by this book and found many blessings within. I was also challenged and reminded, which is what I would hope.
I could encourage anyone in the preaching ministry to spend a little while with this book and absorb some of the encouragements here. Not only is there very specific and interesting instruction about the preaching event, I found Hulst's spirit to be energizing, positive, and realistic. There is a perceived camaraderie here, a humble approach that isn't "above" the reader.
You might not engage all ten of Hulst's "practical ways to a better sermon", but you will certainly consider some of them and I believe it will be a "better sermon by Sunday". I loved a thought that comes at the end of the book. I think it gives you a taste of the kind of encouragement and appreciation for preachers/preaching to be found in this book:
"I hope this book cheers you on in the beautiful, hard work of writing and delivering sermons. Preaching is a great privilege, holy work, and I believe that God uses it to change people, change the church and change the world. Keep it up."
I highly encourage this as a great guide for new preachers, and great reminders for old preachers, and some well-grounded advice for all preachers.
I don't recall how I heard about Mary Hulst's 'Little Handbook for Preachers', but I am so glad that I did. I gave this book five stars, with the caveat that this is from a preacher and for preachers. I was encouraged by this book and found many blessings within. I was also challenged and reminded, which is what I would hope.
I could encourage anyone in the preaching ministry to spend a little while with this book and absorb some of the encouragements here. Not only is there very specific and interesting instruction about the preaching event, I found Hulst's spirit to be energizing, positive, and realistic. There is a perceived camaraderie here, a humble approach that isn't "above" the reader.
You might not engage all ten of Hulst's "practical ways to a better sermon", but you will certainly consider some of them and I believe it will be a "better sermon by Sunday". I loved a thought that comes at the end of the book. I think it gives you a taste of the kind of encouragement and appreciation for preachers/preaching to be found in this book:
"I hope this book cheers you on in the beautiful, hard work of writing and delivering sermons. Preaching is a great privilege, holy work, and I believe that God uses it to change people, change the church and change the world. Keep it up."
I highly encourage this as a great guide for new preachers, and great reminders for old preachers, and some well-grounded advice for all preachers.
October 2, 2018
In general this is a super helpful book about preaching. There are a lot of practical ideas for preaching and getting ready to preach. At times it did feel like it went overboard on the importance the author put on preaching. I also didn’t like the narrow definition of preaching. I think anyone can preach anytime. I think you are preaching anytime you proclaim the good news to someone; your friend, spouse, family member, neighbor. The author seemed to think preaching only takes place in a pulpit on a Sunday morning. Despite this, it was a good book. Particularly for those who are looking for help on pulpit preaching.
December 26, 2021
Pastor Mary is a preacher and a teacher and in this wonderfully accessible and practical book, she excels in teaching the art and skill of preaching. I have been blessed by Pastor Mary's preaching firsthand and so can testify that her advice here is practiced in her own preaching.
After reading her book, I have (I hope!) written and given better sermons - and have the desire to keep growing and learning.
After reading her book, I have (I hope!) written and given better sermons - and have the desire to keep growing and learning.
September 9, 2025
This was a wonderful book! Extremely informative, extremely practical. Even if you have disagreements on what preaching is, or on some tactics, the methods in here definitely provide good grounds of reflection for all.
Chapters:
1 Biblical Preaching
2 God-Centered Preaching
3 Grace-full Preaching
4 Compelling Preaching
5 Imaginative Preaching
6 Contextual Preaching
7 Relevant Preaching
8 Embodied Preaching
9 Self-less Preaching
10 Getting Feedback About Your Preaching
Conclusion
Chapters:
1 Biblical Preaching
2 God-Centered Preaching
3 Grace-full Preaching
4 Compelling Preaching
5 Imaginative Preaching
6 Contextual Preaching
7 Relevant Preaching
8 Embodied Preaching
9 Self-less Preaching
10 Getting Feedback About Your Preaching
Conclusion
August 19, 2021
I found this book to be a great resource as I developed an emerging preacher in our community. The author's framework and content provided solid structure from which to have conversations about preaching.
March 6, 2019
Short, winsome book filled with great practical tips
December 30, 2023
Short and to the point.
May 7, 2024
Super practical and made FOR WOMEN! Loved getting to read through this for my preaching class. I have some really sweet ideas on truly embodying a sermon!
December 2, 2016
Preaching books are a dime a dozen. Its really hard to find a preaching book that either says something unique or says something important in a unique way. So I don’t have much confidence in preaching books – especially books that give you X number of ways to be a better preacher or books that promise to make you a better preacher. Such books are often filled with superficial pieces of advice or don’t really work. So when I saw Mary Hulst’s book: A Little Handbook for Preachers: Ten Practical Ways to a Better Sermon by Sunday I couldn’t help but be super skeptical. Nevertheless, I picked it up, thinking, what the heck, if I get one helpful idea from this book it will be worth reading it. In all honesty – I didn’t get one helpful idea from this book – I got so much more. In fact, as I’ve said before on my twitter account, this is officially one of my new favorite books about preaching.
Why am I so enamored with this book? It probably has to do with the fact that its not like your typical 10 Ways to do X or 7 Simple Steps to Y or 4.8 Habits of people Who Z. This book is filled with substance, it is at the same time theologically informed and practical. You know its not like your typical X number of ways to do Q kind of preaching books when the author says the best way to make your preaching better is to make it biblical! So many of the “simple ways” books are so consumeristic and seeker-pleasing, but this book begins by saying the most compelling thing our preaching can do is to be Biblical! What a surprise!
The second thing Hulst says we can do to make our preaching better is to stop telling people what do to – and to start telling them what God has already done, i.e. make your preaching full of grace. Don’t say stuff like:
• If your relationship with God really is important to you, you will make a commitment to talk to him every day.
• If you want to take discipleship to the next level, you will join a service team.
• Isn’t it time you start investing your money into eternity?
Instead your preaching ought to change from “this is what you need to do” to “this is what we get to do” language. Our callings are a grace given to us, “so preach grace. Preach it often and preach it well, and watch how God gets to work.” (65)
One of the most helpful practical chapter is her chapter on “Compelling Preaching.” In this chapter she addresses the preachers problems of having too much information and lacking a well defined (oral) structure in our sermon. She suggests (reminding me of Andy Stanley) that we should be able to articulate our entire sermon in one sentence. Or as I like to say – the main idea of your sermon should be tweetable. To do that we need to get clear on what the bid idea of our sermon is. Once we do that the points in the sermon should illuminate the one big idea. She suggest that “to give our sermons clarity we need to do that hard work of picking one idea and letting the rest, for now, stay in our study.” Easier said than done! Nevertheless this is crucial to good preaching.
There is plenty of other great things which I could say about this book, but I don’t want to rob you of the opportunity of discovering these things on your own. So I will just stop here….Let me just say one more thing.
I rarely tell people – you need to go out and buy this book. However, this is one of those books that I feel like all preachers need to buy. I haven’t really found a preaching book that is so practical and at the same time so theologically informed. Because it is theological and practical, A Little Handbook for Preachers is my new go to book for handing to new preachers.
Why am I so enamored with this book? It probably has to do with the fact that its not like your typical 10 Ways to do X or 7 Simple Steps to Y or 4.8 Habits of people Who Z. This book is filled with substance, it is at the same time theologically informed and practical. You know its not like your typical X number of ways to do Q kind of preaching books when the author says the best way to make your preaching better is to make it biblical! So many of the “simple ways” books are so consumeristic and seeker-pleasing, but this book begins by saying the most compelling thing our preaching can do is to be Biblical! What a surprise!
The second thing Hulst says we can do to make our preaching better is to stop telling people what do to – and to start telling them what God has already done, i.e. make your preaching full of grace. Don’t say stuff like:
• If your relationship with God really is important to you, you will make a commitment to talk to him every day.
• If you want to take discipleship to the next level, you will join a service team.
• Isn’t it time you start investing your money into eternity?
Instead your preaching ought to change from “this is what you need to do” to “this is what we get to do” language. Our callings are a grace given to us, “so preach grace. Preach it often and preach it well, and watch how God gets to work.” (65)
One of the most helpful practical chapter is her chapter on “Compelling Preaching.” In this chapter she addresses the preachers problems of having too much information and lacking a well defined (oral) structure in our sermon. She suggests (reminding me of Andy Stanley) that we should be able to articulate our entire sermon in one sentence. Or as I like to say – the main idea of your sermon should be tweetable. To do that we need to get clear on what the bid idea of our sermon is. Once we do that the points in the sermon should illuminate the one big idea. She suggest that “to give our sermons clarity we need to do that hard work of picking one idea and letting the rest, for now, stay in our study.” Easier said than done! Nevertheless this is crucial to good preaching.
There is plenty of other great things which I could say about this book, but I don’t want to rob you of the opportunity of discovering these things on your own. So I will just stop here….Let me just say one more thing.
I rarely tell people – you need to go out and buy this book. However, this is one of those books that I feel like all preachers need to buy. I haven’t really found a preaching book that is so practical and at the same time so theologically informed. Because it is theological and practical, A Little Handbook for Preachers is my new go to book for handing to new preachers.
January 6, 2017
Ten practical ways to a better sermon by Sunday. Ah, the allure of self-help books and “ten simple step” works. To be honest, the ten steps are not short or simple, but they are practical and beneficial. Look at a sermon as an illustrative speech filled with metaphors and lessons. This book helps fill in the rest of the dots: (i) biblical preaching, (ii) G-d focused preaching, (iii) grace-filled preaching, (iv) compelling preaching, (v) imaginative preaching, (vi) contextual preaching, (vii) relevant preaching, (viii) embodied preaching, (ix) selfless preaching, and (x) getting feedback about one’s preaching. The first nine points can help one either “preach at others” or be one that teaches others how to fish - your call how you apply the lessons, but only the latter is of any value and the former only keeps the church irrelevant. Make it teaching, not preaching, and engage relationally. The last step is one everyone should have known already - get feedback or you won’t be in sync with your congregation (duh!).
The author aims this book at those who are new to preaching or those who are worn out. It is a different style than seminary requires, but one that can be used with seminary teaching. That said, it is not the only style and one should “mix it up” to see what works best in every scenario. The book can help with learning practical improvements to preaching, but one that preaches should continually be learning how to improve and be a better teacher as well as discipler. Personally, this book is not for me. I’m not a preacher and I dislike the term preacher, instead looking for a way to foster spiritual conversations, relationships, and small group discipleship. For those that are like me, this book might be of little value (or some if you need these steps), but those who find themselves in a pulpit every Sunday might find a tidbit or two that is worth your while…
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
The author aims this book at those who are new to preaching or those who are worn out. It is a different style than seminary requires, but one that can be used with seminary teaching. That said, it is not the only style and one should “mix it up” to see what works best in every scenario. The book can help with learning practical improvements to preaching, but one that preaches should continually be learning how to improve and be a better teacher as well as discipler. Personally, this book is not for me. I’m not a preacher and I dislike the term preacher, instead looking for a way to foster spiritual conversations, relationships, and small group discipleship. For those that are like me, this book might be of little value (or some if you need these steps), but those who find themselves in a pulpit every Sunday might find a tidbit or two that is worth your while…
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
August 22, 2016
This book is exactly what the title claims to be, no more and no less, which in itself is refreshing. Each chapter is succinct and very readable, including real-life stories and practical examples throughout. Depending on your setting and speaking/preaching opportunities, you will find certain chapters more helpful than others (for myself, the chapters on Grace-full preaching and Self-less preaching were particularly relevant). You won't get any deep lessons on homiletics or exegesis here, but it's a great reminder of important, practical pillars of solid preaching. If you're looking for a quick read to brush up, then this book is for you. If you're looking for an in-depth, challenging study, something else will probably be your target.
September 7, 2016
Wonderful practical book for preachers that gets into things to improve your preaching that most other books on speaking and preaching rarely say anything about. Most helpful is the sections called contextual and embodied preaching. Contextual preaching chapter teaches how to pastor from the pulpit. The embodied chapter gives very specific advice about gestures, dress, voice, space, and practicing. It's appropo the cover shows highlighting, because I have highlighted notes on nearly every page. Very strongly recommended for speaking pastors and those learning about other aspects of preaching besides exegesis and contextualization.
March 31, 2023
A wonderfully good guide through the preaching process. Mary S. Hulst takes us on a journey toward better sermons. The book is as practical as it claims to be. Hulst has helpful suggestions on getting to know our congregations in general, and using empathy to apply the text to our congregation in particular. (I especially appreciated how she encourages preachers to think “What is it like to be you?” vis-à-vis parishioners!) This book was refreshing, positive, and constructive. I think it would be especially valuable for the person who has regularly preached a while and would like some fresh perspective on their regular task of preaching.
May 15, 2018
Any of my clergy friends (or friends who frequently listen to clergy) are likely to find this an interesting and helpful book. I'm likely to use some of the suggestions in my Speech classes as well as taking it to heart when I preach or lead a preaching workshop. If you see a copy, glance through the bullet points in the brief concluding chapter; that will be enough to show how helpful it could be.
May 31, 2016
The early chapters are *very* basic but the latter chapters make this book a worthy read. Also, the suggested reading list is an unexpected and welcome bonus.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews