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The Preacher's Catechism
Your work as a pastor can make it easy to overlook the deep needs of your own soul. These 43 questions and answers, written to reflect the format of historic catechisms, seek to provide nourishment for weary pastors in the thick of ministry. Each chapter features content designed to care for your spiritual health, feeding your mind and heart with life-giving truth aimed at helping you press on in ministry with endurance, contentment, and joy.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 31, 2018
62 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Allen
4 books4 followersLewis Allen pastored Gunnersbury Baptist Church in London for over twelve years, and in 2010 was called to plant what is now Hope Church in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where he is now Senior Pastor. Lewis has degrees in Classics and Theology and Historical Theology from Cambridge University and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, and is pursuing a doctoral degree through Oxford University, researching Henry Venn of Huddersfield and Eighteenth Century Yorkshire Evangelicalism. He has published with Crossway Books as well as with the Banner of Truth. In his spare time Lewis loves fly-fishing and running.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 18, 2018
Very good, very wise book.
March 14, 2022
A great little book for the preacher. Short chapters that stay on point and don’t go off into the weeds.
August 9, 2018
I am a big fan of catechisms. So when I learned about The Preacher’s Catechism by Lewis Allen, I was intrigued. Actually, I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. Little did I know that this powerful little book would break me and convict me. It would mold and challenge me. It would encourage and edify me. The Preacher’s Catechism is remarkable in a myriad of ways, a few of which I will briefly describe below.
First, The Preacher’s Catechism is a book targeted to preachers. While some may consider this narrow target audience as ill-conceived, this strategy works well and helps accomplish the ultimate ends of the author.
Three convictions govern this book, which are set forth in the opening pages:
The church needs preachers who last and thrive.
Preachers must understand how preaching works, and how their souls work.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher.
With the governing convictions in place, Allen Lewis determines to utilize the pattern of the Westminster Shorter Catechism by targeting specific questions and answers to preachers. The book is arranged in four parts:
Part 1: The Glory of God and the Greatness of Preaching
Part 2: Jesus for Preachers
Part 3: Loving the Word
Part 4: Preaching with Conviction
Summarizing the essence of The Preacher’s Catechism is an impossible task. But at its very heart is a series of gospel-centered challenges and soul-stirring encouragements. This work is like a theological battering ram that is designed to crush pride, self-sufficiency, false motives and deeds of the flesh. But make no mistake. The author does not intend to merely convict preachers; his ultimate aim is to encourage them. Once the feeble scaffolding of the flesh is sufficiently toppled, the author winsomely directs the attention of preachers to the cross. “Listeners need to know that the preacher is contented in his God and rejoicing in his Savior,” writes Allen. He continues, “When our lives as preachers are filled with a sense of amazement about the grace that is ours in Christ, others start asking questions about that grace and seeking it for themselves.”
To call The Preacher’s Catechism a success would be a profound understatement. For this book captures what is truly important about pastoral ministry. It is a vivid reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. It serves preachers by admonishing them and encouraging them. But in the final analysis, it leads preachers back to the cross. It graciously beckons them to not only preach Christ crucified but to cherish the old rugged cross and lay claim to the saving benefits that Christ wrought for his elect.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
First, The Preacher’s Catechism is a book targeted to preachers. While some may consider this narrow target audience as ill-conceived, this strategy works well and helps accomplish the ultimate ends of the author.
Three convictions govern this book, which are set forth in the opening pages:
The church needs preachers who last and thrive.
Preachers must understand how preaching works, and how their souls work.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher.
With the governing convictions in place, Allen Lewis determines to utilize the pattern of the Westminster Shorter Catechism by targeting specific questions and answers to preachers. The book is arranged in four parts:
Part 1: The Glory of God and the Greatness of Preaching
Part 2: Jesus for Preachers
Part 3: Loving the Word
Part 4: Preaching with Conviction
Summarizing the essence of The Preacher’s Catechism is an impossible task. But at its very heart is a series of gospel-centered challenges and soul-stirring encouragements. This work is like a theological battering ram that is designed to crush pride, self-sufficiency, false motives and deeds of the flesh. But make no mistake. The author does not intend to merely convict preachers; his ultimate aim is to encourage them. Once the feeble scaffolding of the flesh is sufficiently toppled, the author winsomely directs the attention of preachers to the cross. “Listeners need to know that the preacher is contented in his God and rejoicing in his Savior,” writes Allen. He continues, “When our lives as preachers are filled with a sense of amazement about the grace that is ours in Christ, others start asking questions about that grace and seeking it for themselves.”
To call The Preacher’s Catechism a success would be a profound understatement. For this book captures what is truly important about pastoral ministry. It is a vivid reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. It serves preachers by admonishing them and encouraging them. But in the final analysis, it leads preachers back to the cross. It graciously beckons them to not only preach Christ crucified but to cherish the old rugged cross and lay claim to the saving benefits that Christ wrought for his elect.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
January 2, 2024
Well, I’m not a preacher, or a pastor. But I have considered it. I’ve preached before, and I’m amazed at how much mental and spiritual rigor, and temptation toward idolatry it involves (glorying in, or despairing in my own message).
Regardless of vocation, this is one of the best devotional books I’ve ever read. The way Allen probes the heart in this book is astounding. Allen is an excellent help in discovering misdirected longings, desires, and hopes that do not compare with the fulness we have in Jesus - things we elevate to God status, that will never actually satisfy. They are often elusive for pastors (really for everyone probably). I know they are for me as well.
The book was especially good in comparison with other modern devotional books. Most of which are tacky, trite, or sappy attempts to stir up a bit of warm and fluffy emotional content into the reader’s day - but not really good for anything beyond that. Sadly I think most modern devotionals aren’t good for normal Christians, who would get much more out of just knowing some theology instead.
I was very much helped by this small book, and I think it will be one I will return to - especially since reading a lot of it on audio.
Regardless of vocation, this is one of the best devotional books I’ve ever read. The way Allen probes the heart in this book is astounding. Allen is an excellent help in discovering misdirected longings, desires, and hopes that do not compare with the fulness we have in Jesus - things we elevate to God status, that will never actually satisfy. They are often elusive for pastors (really for everyone probably). I know they are for me as well.
The book was especially good in comparison with other modern devotional books. Most of which are tacky, trite, or sappy attempts to stir up a bit of warm and fluffy emotional content into the reader’s day - but not really good for anything beyond that. Sadly I think most modern devotionals aren’t good for normal Christians, who would get much more out of just knowing some theology instead.
I was very much helped by this small book, and I think it will be one I will return to - especially since reading a lot of it on audio.
July 9, 2018
From the introduction: The Preacher’s Catechism is a book for busy preachers, young and experienced, whether bursting with enthusiasm or fighting cynicism, full-time or part-time. Preaching, the declaring of God’s eternal Word to time-bound but eternal creatures, is serious work, and its triumphs and disasters echo into eternity. We have the most glorious calling on earth, but it’s maybe also the hardest. Preaching really matters.
Lewis Allen's newest book is a catechism written specifically for preachers. In the introduction he shares three convictions that led him to write the book:
Conviction 1: The church needs preachers who last and thrive. Conviction 2: Preachers must understand how preaching works, and how their own souls work. Conviction 3: The Westminster Shorter Catechism is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher.
It is loosely structured on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Emphasis on loosely. It is in a question and answer format. The subject matter is similar. But it is 43 questions and NOT 107 questions. And it isn't just a light or slight rewording. It is a new catechism. The catechism is needed, Lewis believes, because preachers need reminders to minister to their own souls daily.
I thought I would share a sampling of the Questions and Answers:
1. Q. What is God’s chief end in preaching? A. God’s chief end in preaching is to glorify his name.
2. Q. How do we enjoy God? A. We enjoy God as we submit our hearts to all that he tells us.
3. Q. Who is God? A. God is the one who perfectly lives, rules, loves, and speaks, all to his own glory.
4. Q. What do the Scriptures primarily teach? A. The Scriptures are all about Jesus, the one to be proclaimed, trusted, and praised.
6. Q What is the preacher’s chief end? A. The chief end of the preacher is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
9. Q. Why does God call us to preach? A. God calls us to serve all of our hearers with his gospel.
10. Q. What else did God ordain? A. God ordained that all things should be preached as being under the headship of Christ.
22. Q What does the first commandment teach us? A. You shall preach as a love expression to the Lord your God.
23. Q What does the second commandment teach us? A. You shall not make a preaching idol of your image or of anyone else’s.
30. Q. What does the ninth commandment teach us? A. You shall not say anything untrue in your ministry.
42. Q. What’s the worst sin we might commit in a sermon? A. We preachers can be the greatest sinners by failing to proclaim God for who he is. So pray.
There is an explanation or unpacking for each question and answer. I liked the questions and answers--I did. But I loved the commentary.
I would recommend this book. It is a substantive read with a lot of food for thought.
Lewis Allen's newest book is a catechism written specifically for preachers. In the introduction he shares three convictions that led him to write the book:
Conviction 1: The church needs preachers who last and thrive. Conviction 2: Preachers must understand how preaching works, and how their own souls work. Conviction 3: The Westminster Shorter Catechism is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher.
It is loosely structured on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Emphasis on loosely. It is in a question and answer format. The subject matter is similar. But it is 43 questions and NOT 107 questions. And it isn't just a light or slight rewording. It is a new catechism. The catechism is needed, Lewis believes, because preachers need reminders to minister to their own souls daily.
I thought I would share a sampling of the Questions and Answers:
1. Q. What is God’s chief end in preaching? A. God’s chief end in preaching is to glorify his name.
2. Q. How do we enjoy God? A. We enjoy God as we submit our hearts to all that he tells us.
3. Q. Who is God? A. God is the one who perfectly lives, rules, loves, and speaks, all to his own glory.
4. Q. What do the Scriptures primarily teach? A. The Scriptures are all about Jesus, the one to be proclaimed, trusted, and praised.
6. Q What is the preacher’s chief end? A. The chief end of the preacher is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
9. Q. Why does God call us to preach? A. God calls us to serve all of our hearers with his gospel.
10. Q. What else did God ordain? A. God ordained that all things should be preached as being under the headship of Christ.
22. Q What does the first commandment teach us? A. You shall preach as a love expression to the Lord your God.
23. Q What does the second commandment teach us? A. You shall not make a preaching idol of your image or of anyone else’s.
30. Q. What does the ninth commandment teach us? A. You shall not say anything untrue in your ministry.
42. Q. What’s the worst sin we might commit in a sermon? A. We preachers can be the greatest sinners by failing to proclaim God for who he is. So pray.
There is an explanation or unpacking for each question and answer. I liked the questions and answers--I did. But I loved the commentary.
I would recommend this book. It is a substantive read with a lot of food for thought.
June 28, 2023
What if there was a catechism about the roles, convictions, and life of the pastoral ministry?
We all know the famous catechisms of the church, such as the Heidelberg, Westminster, and Baptist ones. Allen’s book is a helpful contribution to the concept, as he outlines key lifestyle and theological convictions alongside practices that are essential to a robust and biblical ministry. The work of a pastor is daunting yet rewarding…weighty yet encouraging. Allen is helpful in outlining the truths of such a life, the realities that pastors face, the joys they experience, the hardships they endure, the sorrow that comes, the gospel they cling to, and the hope they trust in the midst of it all.
It’s fantastic.
It’ll be a book I can see myself returning to year after year for correction and encouragement.
We all know the famous catechisms of the church, such as the Heidelberg, Westminster, and Baptist ones. Allen’s book is a helpful contribution to the concept, as he outlines key lifestyle and theological convictions alongside practices that are essential to a robust and biblical ministry. The work of a pastor is daunting yet rewarding…weighty yet encouraging. Allen is helpful in outlining the truths of such a life, the realities that pastors face, the joys they experience, the hardships they endure, the sorrow that comes, the gospel they cling to, and the hope they trust in the midst of it all.
It’s fantastic.
It’ll be a book I can see myself returning to year after year for correction and encouragement.
November 20, 2023
Great book. But I often felt myself being discouraged instead of encouraged. There are many wonderful truths in this book but Allen’s writing makes the pastorate seem impossible. His high standards (Law) are mostly remedied by the gospel. Yet, at points it felt like “you must be this way; Jesus required you to be this way and you won’t be measuring up if you aren’t this way, but it’s okay because the gospel makes your failures allowable.”
Just my two cents. Surely subjective and perhaps unfair.
This shouldn’t take away from all the I gleaned from this book. There is a plethora of wonderful advice and suggestions for pastors. Allen has an abundance of wisdom and it would benefit any preacher to read this book.
Just my two cents. Surely subjective and perhaps unfair.
This shouldn’t take away from all the I gleaned from this book. There is a plethora of wonderful advice and suggestions for pastors. Allen has an abundance of wisdom and it would benefit any preacher to read this book.
October 28, 2018
A balm for weary and discouraged preachers, and a gracious kick in the pants for preachers just going through the motions. I thought I would like this book, but I was wrong- I loved it and I really needed it. Pastors of all kinds will benefit from this unique catechism written for preachers by a preacher. Well-written and Gospel driven, this is nourishment for a tired preacher’s soul!
March 29, 2020
I was richly blessed by this book. I read it through the lens of a deacon, federal husband and youth teacher. I read straight through at a fairly quick pace. As Sinclair Ferguson says in the foreword, I will be using this as a reference for years to come.
P.S. the navy, gold and white make for a beautiful cover. It’s probably my favorite looking book — ever!
P.S. the navy, gold and white make for a beautiful cover. It’s probably my favorite looking book — ever!
April 9, 2025
4.5/5 Stars. This is much less a ‘how to preach’ and much more a ‘how to preach without losing your delight in God.’ We need both, but Allen’s insights here were helpful to my soul. This book gave me a deeper love and appreciation for preaching and preachers, and a deeper passion for preaching out of the overflow. Highly recommended.
December 14, 2019
Absolutely phenomenal.
I don’t plan on stopping reading this book but will continue to work through it prayerful when preparing to preach!
I don’t plan on stopping reading this book but will continue to work through it prayerful when preparing to preach!
September 17, 2020
Some satisfying relatability and advice for preachers but too long of a to do list! Left feeling more overwhelmed than encouraged.
November 20, 2020
I read through this slowly and prayerfully. Very convicting and rewarding.
February 1, 2023
convicting,must read
The was a book for my preaching class, but I throughout the book I was constantly brought to worship. Throughout the book it reminds the preacher that Christ needs to be center not the preacher in preaching. Preachers are merely under shepherds under the good Shepherd who laid his life down for his sheep. This is a book that should be read at least once a year by every pastor, elder, or anyone who feels called to preach.
The was a book for my preaching class, but I throughout the book I was constantly brought to worship. Throughout the book it reminds the preacher that Christ needs to be center not the preacher in preaching. Preachers are merely under shepherds under the good Shepherd who laid his life down for his sheep. This is a book that should be read at least once a year by every pastor, elder, or anyone who feels called to preach.
February 26, 2025
This was WONDERFUL! This book has been one of my favorites.
February 23, 2019
Hands down one of the best books a preacher can read in ministry. Heart-tugging, convicting, encouraging, and essential. Every preacher needs to read this and read it multiple times to remind himself of the task of preaching and who we do it for.
June 15, 2021
Excellent book for any preacher, and for those who would want to learn of the mindset and struggles and call of the preacher.
January 26, 2023
Thoughtful connections between the state of our heart and the spheres of our vocation: pastor as disciple following Jesus and the pastor as laborer serving his Church.
I anticipate I will have this book nearby for casual devotional reading/reflection. If you are a pastor, then it would be a good book to process together with fellow peers. Let us not grow weary and cold hearted due to the hardship of the toil, but be encouraged and nourished by the seed of the gospel.
I anticipate I will have this book nearby for casual devotional reading/reflection. If you are a pastor, then it would be a good book to process together with fellow peers. Let us not grow weary and cold hearted due to the hardship of the toil, but be encouraged and nourished by the seed of the gospel.
August 8, 2024
This book was an encouragement for my heart. It’s a transposing of the Westminster Shorter Catechism for the task of preaching. I’ll be coming back to this one at some point.
August 4, 2025
(4.5 out of 5)
May 31, 2021
An extremely valuable resource for all preachers, great as a devotional reading a chapter at a time. It confronts you with your own motifs and heart and helps to bring a correct Christ centred outlook on all you think, feel, do and say as a preacher. It is something that is to be savoured and re-read. It keeps you in check reminding and forcing you to reassess a fresh what is really important and where our focus should be. It shows us who are new at preaching where our hearts should be, but it is also vital for experienced preachers. It is vital for those that handle and preach God’s word that this is done, we are prone to wane and go off track even in small degrees, were human, its what we do, it is hard for us to keep our hearts in line with God especially so as preachers so this is essential in keeping our hearts where they should be; humble, supple, and fixed on Christ.
May 21, 2020
Outstanding! I didn’t merely read it, I savored chapter after chapter. This is on my ‘to read again’ list. The author not only understands pastors and pastoring, he clearly loves the Lord deeply. The value is in how it leads us to the essentials
August 8, 2018
Preaching is the most important public ministry of pastors. Many books describe how preachers can improve their craft. The Preacher’s Catechismis not one of them. Instead, it focuses on how preachers can improve their character.
Lewis Allen offers this reminder of the greater importance of character to craft in his Introduction:
"And yet, having all of these tools [to improve preaching skills] will not ensure that you are a preacher after God’s own heart, someone who is really serving those who listen to you. Skills have an essential place, but more essential to our calling are a heart and mind captivated by God and his gospel."
In other words, the heart of preachers is the heart of preaching.
Allen bases his counsel in The Preacher’s Catechismon three convictions:
1. The church needs preachers who last and thrive.
2. Preachers must understand how preaching works, and how their own souls work.
3. The Westminster Shorter Catechism is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher.
The book organizes its material around 43 questions modeled on that catechism.
The first and second convictions should be uncontroversial points among evangelical Christians. I found the third conviction a bit of a stretch, at first glance anyway. I am Pentecostal — Arminian and egalitarian to boot — so what could I learn from a catechism produced by high Calvinist English Presbyterians? (Allen himself is a Calvinist Baptist.)
A lot, it turns out. Allen’s use of the catechism sheds light on heart issues that allChristian ministers need to address.
For example, consider his repurposing of the catechism’s teaching on the Ten Commandments. The catechism asks, “What does the _____ commandment teach us?” (with first, second, third, etc. filling in the blank). Here are Allen’s answers, which follow the order of the commandments (Exodus 20:2–17):
1. You shall preach as a love expression to the Lord your God.
2. You shall not make a preaching idol of your image or of anyone else’s.
3. You shall honor the name of God as you preach.
4. You shall rest from finding your justification in your preaching, and rest content and safe in the finished work of the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.
5. You shall honor those who preached the Word of God to you, and obey what they taught you.
6. You shall not use your ministry to harm in any way.
7. You shall not be unfaithful to your ministry by failing to love those you preach to.
8. You shall not withhold your heart and soul from the hard work of preaching.
9. You shall not say anything untrue in your preaching.
10 You shall not set your heart on another’s ministry and gifts.
There is far more to The Preacher’s Catechismthan these reworked commandments, which appear in Part 3, titled “Loving the Word,” of a four-part book. Part 1 is titled “The Glory of God and the Greatness of Preaching,” Part 2 “Jesus for Preachers,” and Part 3 “Preaching with Conviction.”
In fact, there is more to this book on preaching than preaching. Part 4 includes helpful chapters on baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Preaching may be a pastor’s most important public duty, but it is not the only one. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are New Testament ordinances, God-given means of grace that too many evangelical pastors — including Pentecostals — neglect.
Allen closes the book with this statement: “Our preaching will never satisfy us. It isn’t meant to. Let’s give our hearts to God.” In many ways, that’s the core message of this excellent little book.
Some books make for a good read, once. The Preacher’s Catechismis a volume I think I’ll take up and read again. And then again.
Book Reviewed
Lewis Allen, The Preacher’s Catechism(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
P.P.S. This review is cross-posted from InfluenceMagazine.com with permission.
Lewis Allen offers this reminder of the greater importance of character to craft in his Introduction:
"And yet, having all of these tools [to improve preaching skills] will not ensure that you are a preacher after God’s own heart, someone who is really serving those who listen to you. Skills have an essential place, but more essential to our calling are a heart and mind captivated by God and his gospel."
In other words, the heart of preachers is the heart of preaching.
Allen bases his counsel in The Preacher’s Catechismon three convictions:
1. The church needs preachers who last and thrive.
2. Preachers must understand how preaching works, and how their own souls work.
3. The Westminster Shorter Catechism is an outstanding resource for the heart needs of every preacher.
The book organizes its material around 43 questions modeled on that catechism.
The first and second convictions should be uncontroversial points among evangelical Christians. I found the third conviction a bit of a stretch, at first glance anyway. I am Pentecostal — Arminian and egalitarian to boot — so what could I learn from a catechism produced by high Calvinist English Presbyterians? (Allen himself is a Calvinist Baptist.)
A lot, it turns out. Allen’s use of the catechism sheds light on heart issues that allChristian ministers need to address.
For example, consider his repurposing of the catechism’s teaching on the Ten Commandments. The catechism asks, “What does the _____ commandment teach us?” (with first, second, third, etc. filling in the blank). Here are Allen’s answers, which follow the order of the commandments (Exodus 20:2–17):
1. You shall preach as a love expression to the Lord your God.
2. You shall not make a preaching idol of your image or of anyone else’s.
3. You shall honor the name of God as you preach.
4. You shall rest from finding your justification in your preaching, and rest content and safe in the finished work of the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.
5. You shall honor those who preached the Word of God to you, and obey what they taught you.
6. You shall not use your ministry to harm in any way.
7. You shall not be unfaithful to your ministry by failing to love those you preach to.
8. You shall not withhold your heart and soul from the hard work of preaching.
9. You shall not say anything untrue in your preaching.
10 You shall not set your heart on another’s ministry and gifts.
There is far more to The Preacher’s Catechismthan these reworked commandments, which appear in Part 3, titled “Loving the Word,” of a four-part book. Part 1 is titled “The Glory of God and the Greatness of Preaching,” Part 2 “Jesus for Preachers,” and Part 3 “Preaching with Conviction.”
In fact, there is more to this book on preaching than preaching. Part 4 includes helpful chapters on baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Preaching may be a pastor’s most important public duty, but it is not the only one. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are New Testament ordinances, God-given means of grace that too many evangelical pastors — including Pentecostals — neglect.
Allen closes the book with this statement: “Our preaching will never satisfy us. It isn’t meant to. Let’s give our hearts to God.” In many ways, that’s the core message of this excellent little book.
Some books make for a good read, once. The Preacher’s Catechismis a volume I think I’ll take up and read again. And then again.
Book Reviewed
Lewis Allen, The Preacher’s Catechism(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
P.P.S. This review is cross-posted from InfluenceMagazine.com with permission.
March 15, 2023
The heart of Lewis Allen’s The Preacher’s Catechism is a series of 43 questions and answers that relate to the ministry of preaching. A small portion of related Scripture is then supplied, followed by a further exploration of the particular question and answer that forms the bulk of each chapter. Lewis has broken the questions into four parts.
Part 1, The Glory of God and the Greatness of Preaching, addresses the foundations that preaching must rest upon.
Part 2, Jesus for Preachers, moves through sin and the gospel.
Part 3, Loving the Word, focuses upon the importance of God’s law in preaching.
Lastly, Part 4, Preaching with Conviction, considers the sacraments and prayer in relation of preaching.
Anyone familiar with the Heidelberg Catechism or Westminster Shorter Catechism will recognize that Allen is not attempting to reinvent the wheel. Indeed, he explicitly writes in the introduction that “The Preacher’s Catechism is indebted to the Westminster Shorter Catechism in its question-and-answer format and its overall structure” (22). The reader will find no demolition and reconstruction of such mighty works here, which is a great compliment by the way. Rather, Allen is channeling such works through this new catechism directly toward preachers and the ministry of preaching.
To be honest, I began reading this book twice before completing it on my third attempt. My first two failed attempts to latch onto this book were, I believe, rooted in my expecting it to be a kind of manual for preaching ministry. Of course, Allen makes no such claim, so the fault was fully mine. On my third attempt, I read it chapter-by-chapter in the catechism section of my latest pass throughs of Be Thou My Vision. That devotional context enabled me to receive the book as it was intended to be received: devotionally. Although this book is fully about preachers and preaching, it is not about the mechanics and techniques; instead, it targets the heart of the preacher. The conclusion of the first chapter makes this clear:
Part 1, The Glory of God and the Greatness of Preaching, addresses the foundations that preaching must rest upon.
Part 2, Jesus for Preachers, moves through sin and the gospel.
Part 3, Loving the Word, focuses upon the importance of God’s law in preaching.
Lastly, Part 4, Preaching with Conviction, considers the sacraments and prayer in relation of preaching.
Anyone familiar with the Heidelberg Catechism or Westminster Shorter Catechism will recognize that Allen is not attempting to reinvent the wheel. Indeed, he explicitly writes in the introduction that “The Preacher’s Catechism is indebted to the Westminster Shorter Catechism in its question-and-answer format and its overall structure” (22). The reader will find no demolition and reconstruction of such mighty works here, which is a great compliment by the way. Rather, Allen is channeling such works through this new catechism directly toward preachers and the ministry of preaching.
To be honest, I began reading this book twice before completing it on my third attempt. My first two failed attempts to latch onto this book were, I believe, rooted in my expecting it to be a kind of manual for preaching ministry. Of course, Allen makes no such claim, so the fault was fully mine. On my third attempt, I read it chapter-by-chapter in the catechism section of my latest pass throughs of Be Thou My Vision. That devotional context enabled me to receive the book as it was intended to be received: devotionally. Although this book is fully about preachers and preaching, it is not about the mechanics and techniques; instead, it targets the heart of the preacher. The conclusion of the first chapter makes this clear:
You can only preach what you love. You can only truly love if you know and are daily fed by the love of God. God is always preaching himself, as the God of love. He has no greater message, no other gospel, and no greater purpose. Neither do we. (p. 30)
As a guide for God-oriented self-inspection of preacher’s hearts, The Preacher’s Catechism excels in every way. Read each chapter prayerfully, ready to confess sin and/or make supplication of your neediness to God.
July 12, 2023
Lewis Allen gets preachers.
He understands the insecurities, challenges, and frailties of the preacher's heart. As a pastor himself, he has experienced the highs and lows of ministry. From that intimate knowledge, he speaks directly to the soul of the preacher in The Preacher's Catechism. He uses a standard catechism formula as he asks and answers questions unique to preaching and pastoral ministry. Relying strongly upon the Westminster Shorter Catechism, Allen offers up forty-three chapters that call for serious reflection.
I found myself alternating between deep conviction over failures and uplifting encouragement about possibilities. This work came at the perfect time on my journey as a minister of the Word of God. It has caused me to reflect deeply on the seemingly mundane process of preparing sermons, praying for the flock, and pastoring people. Each chapter/question is mercifully short - I say merciful because the author aims for the heart in his analysis of the preacher. He asks questions that must be asked for healthy, sustained ministry; but like most necessary questions, there is a natural rawness that comes from delving beneath the surface when it comes to the heart.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is considering or engaged in regular preaching ministry.
He understands the insecurities, challenges, and frailties of the preacher's heart. As a pastor himself, he has experienced the highs and lows of ministry. From that intimate knowledge, he speaks directly to the soul of the preacher in The Preacher's Catechism. He uses a standard catechism formula as he asks and answers questions unique to preaching and pastoral ministry. Relying strongly upon the Westminster Shorter Catechism, Allen offers up forty-three chapters that call for serious reflection.
I found myself alternating between deep conviction over failures and uplifting encouragement about possibilities. This work came at the perfect time on my journey as a minister of the Word of God. It has caused me to reflect deeply on the seemingly mundane process of preparing sermons, praying for the flock, and pastoring people. Each chapter/question is mercifully short - I say merciful because the author aims for the heart in his analysis of the preacher. He asks questions that must be asked for healthy, sustained ministry; but like most necessary questions, there is a natural rawness that comes from delving beneath the surface when it comes to the heart.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is considering or engaged in regular preaching ministry.
December 17, 2024
There's a lot of good wisdom in this book. The catechism structure was ingenious too! The author makes a great usage of source material constantly referencing the Westminster Shorter, the works of the Puritans, especially Owen and Flavel, and other sources too. Not every question is as strong as the other one which is a given when using this format for a book. Some certainly could have been worded better while others were too "catchy" in their presentation leading to some off-kilter statements or confusing thoughts. One issue with the work is typical for books of this nature aiming at devotional usage. That issue is that in order to come across as warm or inviting the theological emphasis gets fuzzy and blurred. Better give clarity of thought rather than risk losing "warmth" but giving the reader a mistaken thought. I'd recommend the book to others besides pastors too since much of the material is sourced from and based on the WSC.
June 3, 2020
I read this one slowly over the course of a year or more. I would often only read it when I was weary, or burdened, or less than joyful about the task of preaching. It is a wonderfully encouraging yet deeply convicting book for the heart of preachers.
As the title says, the book is in a catechism style. Asking and answering 43 questions for the heart of the preacher. I’m not so sure if this particular method of organizing is helpful but it’s not unhelpful or distracting. Each chapter reads devotionally and encourages self-examination.
Allen is full of pastoral insight. He is deeply humble. He is occupied by grace. He is also a concise and powerful writer. Every chapter was useful to me. As a seasoned preacher, he is very aware of the dynamics of what he calls “pulpit sin.” He had my heart’s number often. If you preach God’s word with regularity, you will benefit from this book.
As the title says, the book is in a catechism style. Asking and answering 43 questions for the heart of the preacher. I’m not so sure if this particular method of organizing is helpful but it’s not unhelpful or distracting. Each chapter reads devotionally and encourages self-examination.
Allen is full of pastoral insight. He is deeply humble. He is occupied by grace. He is also a concise and powerful writer. Every chapter was useful to me. As a seasoned preacher, he is very aware of the dynamics of what he calls “pulpit sin.” He had my heart’s number often. If you preach God’s word with regularity, you will benefit from this book.
April 6, 2022
This book was a joy to read. Short chapters but meaty, convicting, but most importantly Christ exalting. Every pastor should read this and keep it on repeat. The author uses the westminister shorter catechism as a template to write 43 chapters with question and answers regarding preaching and pastoring. Lewis Allen does not talk down to pastors but graciously leads them to Christ. This was one of my favorite reads on preaching and pastoring so far.
July 5, 2022
I read this book as a daily devotional. Each chapter is short, so it lends itself well to approaching it that way. Anyone would benefit from it, but it is written, as the title indicates for those who preach. This book is encouraging, practical, and often convicting ("Beware of how your heart murmurs. Your sighs and complaints say everything about your real spiritual condition."). I wouldn't mind going back through it again sometime.
September 20, 2025
It wasn’t all I hoped it would be. It’s great in its seriousness and high view of preaching, proclaiming Christ-centered exposition, and the call on the preacher. But the book just seemed to read very slowly to me for some reason. I didn’t always see how his Question and Answer matched up. But very good devotional-like book for preachers to be refreshed in the seriousness of their high calling to preach Christ and him crucified.
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