Preaching with Freshness

by Bruce Mawhinney

(Foreword by Jay Adams) "If more books on preaching were as interesting as this, then perhaps we would have more interesting preachers." --Howard Hendricks

Genres: Church Ministry, Theology

258 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jared Mcnabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was hokey at times, and some of the preaching advice seemed dated, but the core was very good and challenged some of my weaknesses.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I am not a preacher by profession, I have opportunities now and then. I ran across this delightful story years ago in my wife's cousin's pastoral library. I read it in a couple days and it changed me right away.

I would recommend this to any preacher. Easy reading. Compelling story. Practical insights for building a lifestyle that contributes to fresh preaching, not just tips for constructing a good sermon now and then. The principles and practices in this book make the difference between a flock who loves to come for feeding time, and a flock who dreads recycled leftovers yet again.

It is designed to inspire and equip a preacher to stir up the gift that is within, all within the fictional but all-too-realistic story of a preacher who needs some help and signs it.

[Joseph Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book, and I found that it's still extremely refreshing. Preaching principles embedded in a novel makes the reading way easier, and the principles are excellently illustrated in this genre. This book does not just for the pastor, but also fruitful for layman Christian leaders who want to serve our Lord better - the principles are still valid. Highly recommended.

[Joel Hammett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than a textbook, this book reads like a story. And a good story at that. The teaching is masterfully woven into a very well structured story.

This was recommended reading for my homiletics class, and it was very worth it! Highly recommend to anyone who is involved in the preaching ministry!

[Courage Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book to be very inspiring. It opened my eyes to how much time I waste on activities that aren’t essential to my calling. I recommend this book to anyone looking to improve in whatever area they have been called in, specially speakers.

[Ryan Rench · Rating 4 out of 5]

his book provides just what the title promises—a freshness to the vital aspect of your youth ministry. The book is written in a story format, is easy to read, is inspiring and surprising instructional. It is a quick (2 hour) read, yet incredibly helpful.

[Don Harrelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book more than 10 years ago. I reread it and it was good read and refresher on preaching. The book is written as a novel.

[Ndabezinhle Calvin Mpofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an amazing book that presents issues in a narrative and more contemporary way yet still delivering the message clearly. An amazing read.

[Chris Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pastor friend of mine recommended this book. What a great perspective on preaching. Eat the meat, spit out the bones. It's very practical and is laid out in narrative style.

[W. Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The material at the end of the book is worth the price of the book.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for pastors.

[Demetrius Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was helpful and inspiring. It is written as a story and it feels relatively dated, and perhaps even corny. But there's great wisdom in this book. The table of contents is detailed enough to provide the reader with entry points to the story and the appendices distill the information in outline form. Excellent resources. A short-course in long-term ministry of the Word of God. Every pastor should own a copy of this book.

[Zachary Guthrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the pastoral viewpoint in the book. The author does an excellent job of describing burn out in preaching. When I read his comments, I felt like I understood the perspective of a preacher! Although I realize I nowhere near have the understanding of a pastor, I empathized with the preacher struggling to make his preaching deeper and sharper. Anybody wants to improve their skills.

However, I found the author's approach timid in a way. While the author pointed out the differences between fresh and dull preaching, his approach seemed to shy away from reality infrequently. So, I guessed around the author's realism and thought the book needed to have several chapters about managing the struggle between pastoral duties and everyday life. I think this concept needed to be added into the book.

Overall, this short read brings a preacher's struggle to bring a fresh sermon to the pulpit. This book articulates the author's point well and brings the high pulpit language down to layman level.

[Sean Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I higly recommend this book to any pastor. It helped refine my preaching style and I believe it helped me to preach better. Plus the format is easy to read. If I taught homiletics this book would be required reading for my students, if not the class textbook.

[Scott Korljan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book on preaching. Mawhinney is unique in that he gives his preaching instruction through narrative. Unlike most books on preaching, this reads as a story, not a a textbook. Well done, and I have already benefited from some of his observations.

[Bfleegs · Rating 4 out of 5]

In narrative form, Mawhinney shows the benefits of uping one's preaching with new format, illustrations, and imagery to better communicate to his congregation. An eye-opener for the perspective of both a full-time pastor as well as the comprehension of the pew-sitter.

[Pete Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly helpful book. Mawhinney provides an abundance of useful tips on preaching through the story of a pastor and his old homiletics pastor. For any pastor who feels "stuck" with their preaching, this is well worth the read.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great methods for working through material for future messages.

[Craig Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love preaching, you will love this book.