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Preaching from the Soul: Insistent Observations on the Sacred Art
Careful biblical interpretation; insights into contemporary life; polished delivery; humorous anecdotes; these are the building blocks of preaching that genuinely reach people. Right? Wrong, says Ellsworth Kalas. We have all encountered preachers who seem to know all the fine points of exegesis and inflection, yet whose sermons leave us surprisingly unmoved, aware that we were in the presence of good speaking, but not great preaching.
The difference, Kalas reminds us, lies in that hard-to-describe, yet essential quality known as soul. Soul is the collection of those perspectives and convictions that matter most to the preacher. Soul preaching means offering one's particular ideas, attitudes, and convictions fully to the congregation. When one preaches with soul, one engages the biblical text with the core of one's values and beliefs. Soul preaching is, in other words, simply giving the whole self to the task of proclamation. While the concept may sound simple, the reality is anything but.
In the clear, insightful style for which he is known, Kalas takes readers on a path of discovery, introducing them to the unique gifts that they can bring to preaching, and the best way to engage those gifts in preparing and delivering the sermon.
The difference, Kalas reminds us, lies in that hard-to-describe, yet essential quality known as soul. Soul is the collection of those perspectives and convictions that matter most to the preacher. Soul preaching means offering one's particular ideas, attitudes, and convictions fully to the congregation. When one preaches with soul, one engages the biblical text with the core of one's values and beliefs. Soul preaching is, in other words, simply giving the whole self to the task of proclamation. While the concept may sound simple, the reality is anything but.
In the clear, insightful style for which he is known, Kalas takes readers on a path of discovery, introducing them to the unique gifts that they can bring to preaching, and the best way to engage those gifts in preparing and delivering the sermon.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2003
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About the author
J. Ellsworth Kalas
84 books6 followersJ. Ellsworth Kalas has been part of the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council. He has been a presenter on DISCIPLE videos and is the author of more than thirty books, including the popular Back Side series as well as the Christian Believer study.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 20, 2010
Dr. Kalas' book is a highly readable and inspirational look at preaching. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
January 5, 2023
Having taken on new ministry, I write sermons and reflections on a regular basis. I now have a stack of books about sermon writing.
Here are the quotes that stayed with me from this book:
“I read that it takes 20 years to make a good sermon....”
“Soul preaching requires that not only the illustration fit the sermon, but that the illustration fit the preacher.”
“The goal, in short, is for the preacher to deliver his or her soul to the people.”
“One how-to point: Don't be afraid to wrestle with scripture.”
“A good sermon involves a sacred triangle, three love affairs.
Fall in love with the sermon you are presenting.
Fall in love with the people you are preaching to.
Be in love with Christ.”
“While every sermon surely ought to inform, it doesn't qualify unless it seeks to transform.”
“Every sermon ought to, in some way, be Christ's second coming.”
Here are the quotes that stayed with me from this book:
“I read that it takes 20 years to make a good sermon....”
“Soul preaching requires that not only the illustration fit the sermon, but that the illustration fit the preacher.”
“The goal, in short, is for the preacher to deliver his or her soul to the people.”
“One how-to point: Don't be afraid to wrestle with scripture.”
“A good sermon involves a sacred triangle, three love affairs.
Fall in love with the sermon you are presenting.
Fall in love with the people you are preaching to.
Be in love with Christ.”
“While every sermon surely ought to inform, it doesn't qualify unless it seeks to transform.”
“Every sermon ought to, in some way, be Christ's second coming.”
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews