Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide

by Leah D. Schade

Preaching in the Purple Zone is a resource for helping the church understand the challenges facing parish pastors, while encouraging and equipping preachers to address the vital justice issues of our time.This book provides practical instruction for navigating the hazards of prophetic preaching with tested strategies and prudent tactics grounded in biblical and theological foundations. Key to this endeavor is using a method of civil discourse called “deliberative dialogue” for finding common values among politically diverse parishioners. Unique to this book is instruction on using the sermon-dialogue-sermon process developed by the author that expands the pastor’s level of engagement on justice issues with parishioners beyond the single sermon. This book equips clergy to help their congregations respectfully engage in deliberation about “hot topics,” find the values that bind them together, and respond faithfully to God’s Word.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2019

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straight forward and well explained process for tackling sensitive issues in congregations that don’t all think alike. Grounded both in strong theology and good pastoral practice, this step by step guide lays our a process any preacher can use. It’s not the end of healing what divides us, but it’s a great start.

[Terrance Lively · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great tool. It not only empowers those preaching to take on topics but gives the needed tools and resources to do so. It is well laid out and would serve most. It clearly requires some work and planning to preach in the purple zone but multiple plans are given so one may tailor their approach.

[Sarah Bereza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute must read for anyone ministering in a politically diverse congregation.

[Gladys Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended