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Topical Preaching in a Complex World: How to Proclaim Truth and Relevance at the Same Time
Be Equipped to Prepare and Deliver Engaging, Biblical, and Effective Topical Sermons Sooner or later, every preacher will come upon a situation where they need to preach a topical sermon. Yet few are taught to preach topically. Even preachers who are gifted in expositing the Scriptures may struggle to deliver a topical sermon that is engaging, culturally relevant, and true to the biblical text. Worse, many pastors worry these messages undermine confidence in the Bible or its authority, leading to a human-centered rather than a God-focused sermon. But that doesn't have to be the case. In Topical Preaching in a Complex World , Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill answer these objections and chart a path for how preachers can deliver faithful and effective topical messages. First, they address the biblical, theological, and cultural reasons pastors should add topical sermons to their preaching repertoire. Then, they introduce a straightforward, four-fold approach for preaching a topical message and answer important questions like Best of all, they help readers craft a message that says something people truly need (and want) to hear! Filled with wit, humor, and wisdom from decades of preaching, this book will equip preachers, pastors, ministry leaders, and students to preach relevant, biblical, and engaging topical sermons. Author Sam Chan says, " Just over a decade ago, I was asked by an organization to speak at their end-of-year dinner. They wanted me to address the topic of being a Christian single, but I had no idea how to prepare and deliver a topical talk. When the night arrived, I preached an old three-point expository sermon and merely changed the ending to include some application on singleness. At best, I got some polite comments afterwards. At worst, people's looks indicated that my biblical talk had little relevance for them. They could not have been less fooled by my disingenuous workaround. I went home vowing never to repeat that poor performance. I felt like the unfaithful servant who had not adequately used what talents had been given to him. As a result, I have dedicated the last decade of my preaching ministry to overcoming and mastering the art of topical preaching. This book is a product of that journey." X
- GenresChristian
240 pages, Paperback
Published December 7, 2021
24 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Sam Chan
15 books32 followersSam Chan (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; MD, University of Sydney) is a public evangelist with City Bible Forum in Sydney, Australia where he regularly shares the gospel with high school students, city workers, doctors, and lawyers. He speaks at conferences around the world on the topics of ethics, story-telling, apologetics, and the practice of evangelism in a post-Christian culture. Sam blogs at espressotheology.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 18, 2022
I’ve always been an exegetical preacher. Not to the extent that some people are—because if you go to some theological circles you’ll find those that think it’s heresy to preach any other way—but it’s my preferred style based on the way I learn and the way I preach. However, topical preaching certainly has its place. The trick is knowing how to be topical in a way that is relevant, robust, and faithful to Scripture. Topical Preaching in a Complex World is a handbook on how to do just that.
Written by Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill, this volume is a must for any pastor—regardless of how they preach. Chan and Gill begin with a defense of topical preaching and outline its benefits while building a methodology for developing topical messages. The middle part of the book works with exegetical preaching as well, though obviously the authors tailor their comments and perspective toward topical work. Gill writes about how to preach to both believers and nonbelievers, offering something of value for a diverse set of people. Chan follows with chapters on how to address a topic theologically and culturally. Then Gill concludes with a chapter on preaching pastorally. This is really the meat of the book, as both Gill and Chan run through some ideas for how to develops messages that have the audience in mind.
The chapter on preaching pastorally is particularly relevant, as the way in which one covers certain topics—particularly ones that are personal or contentious—can say as much or even more than the message itself. I recall preaching through the Sermon on the Mount and reaching the section where Jesus teaches on divorce. As I was preaching exegetically, it was not a surprise to anyone what I would be speaking on. What was less clear is what I would say or what tone I would take. Wanting to be sensitive to divorced members in the congregation, I ended up contacting all of them and letting them know I would be developing my message knowing it to be a difficult subject. Understanding my audience pastorally helped inform how I preached prophetically.
I came away from Topical Preaching in a Complex World with a better appreciation of topical preaching and a much-improved understanding of how to develop topical messages and sermon series. In the end, it comes down to knowing your audience and having a deep enough knowledge of Scripture to ensure that your topicality accurately represents Christian teaching. Topical preaching is to exegetical preaching what systematic theology is to biblical scholarship. They’re vastly different approaches that view the same material through different lenses to engage people in different ways about the same message of Scripture. Whether you’ve been in ministry for five months or fifty years, there’s something to learn within these pages.
Written by Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill, this volume is a must for any pastor—regardless of how they preach. Chan and Gill begin with a defense of topical preaching and outline its benefits while building a methodology for developing topical messages. The middle part of the book works with exegetical preaching as well, though obviously the authors tailor their comments and perspective toward topical work. Gill writes about how to preach to both believers and nonbelievers, offering something of value for a diverse set of people. Chan follows with chapters on how to address a topic theologically and culturally. Then Gill concludes with a chapter on preaching pastorally. This is really the meat of the book, as both Gill and Chan run through some ideas for how to develops messages that have the audience in mind.
The chapter on preaching pastorally is particularly relevant, as the way in which one covers certain topics—particularly ones that are personal or contentious—can say as much or even more than the message itself. I recall preaching through the Sermon on the Mount and reaching the section where Jesus teaches on divorce. As I was preaching exegetically, it was not a surprise to anyone what I would be speaking on. What was less clear is what I would say or what tone I would take. Wanting to be sensitive to divorced members in the congregation, I ended up contacting all of them and letting them know I would be developing my message knowing it to be a difficult subject. Understanding my audience pastorally helped inform how I preached prophetically.
I came away from Topical Preaching in a Complex World with a better appreciation of topical preaching and a much-improved understanding of how to develop topical messages and sermon series. In the end, it comes down to knowing your audience and having a deep enough knowledge of Scripture to ensure that your topicality accurately represents Christian teaching. Topical preaching is to exegetical preaching what systematic theology is to biblical scholarship. They’re vastly different approaches that view the same material through different lenses to engage people in different ways about the same message of Scripture. Whether you’ve been in ministry for five months or fifty years, there’s something to learn within these pages.
June 17, 2022
There is so much to love about this book - an engaging, accessible style with plenty of fun anecdotes; clearly structured and well articulated; intelligent yet very practical. Perhaps most importantly it demonstrates a deep commitment to the spiritual purpose as well the craft of preaching.
What I loved most was how affirming it was of different styles of preaching and the encouragement to develop your own voice with a range of practical tools to connect with your audience.
I haven’t read a lot of preaching books, but I can’t imagine finding one as empowering and helpful as this one, regardless of how long you’ve been preaching. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s a good deal of Aussie influence there too!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I loved most was how affirming it was of different styles of preaching and the encouragement to develop your own voice with a range of practical tools to connect with your audience.
I haven’t read a lot of preaching books, but I can’t imagine finding one as empowering and helpful as this one, regardless of how long you’ve been preaching. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s a good deal of Aussie influence there too!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 10, 2021
Sam Chan is, for me, one of the best Christian communicators of our time. He has a particular passion in helping Christian preachers speak in a way that shows the gospel is relevant and appealing to those from outside of the church.
This book, written with Malcolm Gill, is his latest offering. There's lots of helpful advice here on preaching topically or thematically. I thought the chapters on engaging believers and non-believers together, and on addressing topics theologically and culturally were especially helpful.
The second half of the book, whilst also helpful, carries principles that reach beyond thematic preaching but were nonetheless helpful. For those who've not read much by Sam Chan before, there is lots of very good advice.
This is the kind of book that more seasoned preachers could helpfully work through with those who are less experienced.
This book, written with Malcolm Gill, is his latest offering. There's lots of helpful advice here on preaching topically or thematically. I thought the chapters on engaging believers and non-believers together, and on addressing topics theologically and culturally were especially helpful.
The second half of the book, whilst also helpful, carries principles that reach beyond thematic preaching but were nonetheless helpful. For those who've not read much by Sam Chan before, there is lots of very good advice.
This is the kind of book that more seasoned preachers could helpfully work through with those who are less experienced.
September 26, 2022
Das Buch antwortet auf die Einseitigkeit der Auslegungs- bzw. Textpredigt. Es plädiert dafür neben der Auslegungspredigt auch die Themenpredigt zu fördern. Fand es an manchen Stellen inhaltlich zu platt. Ansonsten wertvolle Ausführungen.
January 18, 2023
Chan and Gill have done a thorough job expounding both a) that topical preaching is not inherently heretical (contrary to exegetical preaching), and b) how to approach, construct and deliver an effective topical message.
This book is not just valuable for the "pastor" but for everyone who wants to effectively live and communicate the gospel of Jesus - which should be every Christian!
This book is not just valuable for the "pastor" but for everyone who wants to effectively live and communicate the gospel of Jesus - which should be every Christian!
September 24, 2024
Very practical! Also great insights into contextualizing and how to apply that to preaching. Exciting to try out in next Bible talk
January 16, 2024
One of the five best books I have ever read on preaching (and one of the most needed)
Absolutely loved this book. Hands down one of the best five books that I have ever read on preaching. Some individual chapters alone were worth the price of the book.
Both Sam and Malcolm studied and / or taught expository preaching and so are huge advocates of that method. However, they have also worked extremely hard at developing an approach to topical preaching which respects the biblical text, has cultural intelligence, and applies both biblical and systematic theology in a simple and straight-forward manner.
Both have firsthand experience in preaching to audiences of a non-western mindset. Sam is Chinese-Australian and part of a Chinese church. Malcolm is married to a South American. Both regularly preach cross-culturally and so the book is full of illustrations and observations of how they have applied these principles to cross cultural preaching.
For those who favour expository preaching this book dovetails nicely with stuff which you may or may not (but should be) doing already - namely, how biblical theology (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, consummation) categories shape the way we should be teaching / applying a particular topic or ethic. Because of this, they demonstrate the multiple ways in which we should be able to move from any topic to that of Jesus and the gospel. (Loved this!)
Lastly, I'd say that this is possibly the easiest and most enjoyable book I've ever read on preaching. It's simple, readable, enjoyable, and hard to put down. I actually enjoyed reading it (loved the illustrations and additional side notes / observations) - unlike other books which often feel like a slog to get through.
Absolutely loved this book. Hands down one of the best five books that I have ever read on preaching. Some individual chapters alone were worth the price of the book.
Both Sam and Malcolm studied and / or taught expository preaching and so are huge advocates of that method. However, they have also worked extremely hard at developing an approach to topical preaching which respects the biblical text, has cultural intelligence, and applies both biblical and systematic theology in a simple and straight-forward manner.
Both have firsthand experience in preaching to audiences of a non-western mindset. Sam is Chinese-Australian and part of a Chinese church. Malcolm is married to a South American. Both regularly preach cross-culturally and so the book is full of illustrations and observations of how they have applied these principles to cross cultural preaching.
For those who favour expository preaching this book dovetails nicely with stuff which you may or may not (but should be) doing already - namely, how biblical theology (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, consummation) categories shape the way we should be teaching / applying a particular topic or ethic. Because of this, they demonstrate the multiple ways in which we should be able to move from any topic to that of Jesus and the gospel. (Loved this!)
Lastly, I'd say that this is possibly the easiest and most enjoyable book I've ever read on preaching. It's simple, readable, enjoyable, and hard to put down. I actually enjoyed reading it (loved the illustrations and additional side notes / observations) - unlike other books which often feel like a slog to get through.
January 26, 2022
This is an excellent book that all preachers (& aspiring preachers) need to read!
It get beyonds the unhelpful and simplistic 'cheap shots' thrown by proponents of expository and topical preaching. The issue is one of faithfulness to scripture and not structure. Malcolm and Sam get above the fray. They argue well for topical preaching without diminishing the significant place of expository preaching. They navigate this discussion in a way that shows that both topical and expository preaching are complementary tools that both need a place in the preachers 'kit bag.'
Although the book is on topical preaching generally, it is full of gold on the art of preaching full stop.
The skilful use of illustrations and examples throughout make the book very enjoyable to read and show that Malcolm & Sam are the right guys to write a book like this. It is also deeply pastoral and shows that these guys know the challenges that those in ministry face.
By the end of the book I had practical things 'to do' not just more ideas to explore. This is exactly what time poor pastors need!
It get beyonds the unhelpful and simplistic 'cheap shots' thrown by proponents of expository and topical preaching. The issue is one of faithfulness to scripture and not structure. Malcolm and Sam get above the fray. They argue well for topical preaching without diminishing the significant place of expository preaching. They navigate this discussion in a way that shows that both topical and expository preaching are complementary tools that both need a place in the preachers 'kit bag.'
Although the book is on topical preaching generally, it is full of gold on the art of preaching full stop.
The skilful use of illustrations and examples throughout make the book very enjoyable to read and show that Malcolm & Sam are the right guys to write a book like this. It is also deeply pastoral and shows that these guys know the challenges that those in ministry face.
By the end of the book I had practical things 'to do' not just more ideas to explore. This is exactly what time poor pastors need!
October 14, 2022
This is a great book on preaching. But this is an okay book on topical preaching.
What Chan and Gill set out to do is great, and the first two chapters in particular are fantastic at explaining the reason to preach topical sermons and how one should do so. However, while the rest of the book may address topical preaching every now and then, in large part the authors are simply sharing insights on preaching in general, and not specifically nuancing their advice to be beneficial for topical sermons.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Chan and Gill’s advice on preaching is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed many of their insights. But while I feel somewhat more equipped to preach topically, that specific thrust of the book could have been developed further (given, you know, the title of the book).
I recommend this book! Just keep in mind that the best you’ll get in terms of the reason for and method of topical preaching will come will come in chapters one and two.
What Chan and Gill set out to do is great, and the first two chapters in particular are fantastic at explaining the reason to preach topical sermons and how one should do so. However, while the rest of the book may address topical preaching every now and then, in large part the authors are simply sharing insights on preaching in general, and not specifically nuancing their advice to be beneficial for topical sermons.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Chan and Gill’s advice on preaching is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed many of their insights. But while I feel somewhat more equipped to preach topically, that specific thrust of the book could have been developed further (given, you know, the title of the book).
I recommend this book! Just keep in mind that the best you’ll get in terms of the reason for and method of topical preaching will come will come in chapters one and two.
July 4, 2022
This seemed more like a general guidebook on preaching than on topical preaching.
It had many practical tips/advice for preaching. The best parts of the book were on the need to address the hearers in a way that was relevant to them.
I don't think the debate of topical preaching vs expository preaching was adequately argued from Scripture. There did not seem to be a high view of preaching as God's (unique) ordained means of bringing the gospel message to the world through his Word and by the Holy Spirit. It seemed at some points, that the only unique thing about preaching was the topic or that it was from a Christian worldview.
Many times, the authors argued that expository preaching can be done badly (of course it can) and so other ways must be used as well. The authors also often conflated general talks/speaking with unbelievers with "preaching". There seemed to be an assumption that expository preaching cannot be relevant or makes it harder to be relevant to the hearers when compared to topical preaching.
It had many practical tips/advice for preaching. The best parts of the book were on the need to address the hearers in a way that was relevant to them.
I don't think the debate of topical preaching vs expository preaching was adequately argued from Scripture. There did not seem to be a high view of preaching as God's (unique) ordained means of bringing the gospel message to the world through his Word and by the Holy Spirit. It seemed at some points, that the only unique thing about preaching was the topic or that it was from a Christian worldview.
Many times, the authors argued that expository preaching can be done badly (of course it can) and so other ways must be used as well. The authors also often conflated general talks/speaking with unbelievers with "preaching". There seemed to be an assumption that expository preaching cannot be relevant or makes it harder to be relevant to the hearers when compared to topical preaching.
February 18, 2024
A good volume. The argument that topical preaching is both biblical and necessary (on occasion) was made well. The suggestions for structuring a topical sermon were also helpful. Some of the general homiletical advice was good, although it is clear that the authors live in a different preaching tradition than I do. The book slows down at several points where the subject of the book gives way to just general homiletics. What's said in those portions is good, though somewhat unnecessary, given the focused nature of the topic of the book.
November 28, 2022
Powerful!!!!
I started reading the sample and it was hard to stop. I immediately purchased the full book. I have never heard anyone explain topical preaching like the authors. You have helped me! Thank you and God bless your ministry. I LOVE THIS BOOK! Preach truth and relevance at the same time. Glory!
I started reading the sample and it was hard to stop. I immediately purchased the full book. I have never heard anyone explain topical preaching like the authors. You have helped me! Thank you and God bless your ministry. I LOVE THIS BOOK! Preach truth and relevance at the same time. Glory!
March 20, 2023
Helped my sermons
This is a very helpful book for my sermon preparation process. I have been too used to preaching with expository sermon for so long, that I am not as comfortable with topical sermons. With the help of the this book, I started to try topical sermons, and the results were pretty good.
This is a very helpful book for my sermon preparation process. I have been too used to preaching with expository sermon for so long, that I am not as comfortable with topical sermons. With the help of the this book, I started to try topical sermons, and the results were pretty good.
November 9, 2023
Disagreed with so much, agreed with a lot too. I have to say that I think they overstated the case for topical preaching. It also just felt like one of the biggest reasons for topical preaching is to be creative, entertaining and not boring. Not sure if expository preaching should be blamed for the last one…
November 24, 2022
Highly informed. Aware of the issues. But at the same time it was forward looking and super practical. Great insights on both how to talk to different audiences AND how to address the same topic in a variety of different ways. The tips on how to talk to camera were worth the price of the book
April 11, 2025
I loved this book! It was so helpful in improving your practice! As well as giving really practical and helpful guides to preaching a topical sermon. I also appreciated the insightful comments concerning cultural exegesis.
Definitely a must read for all growing preachers!
Definitely a must read for all growing preachers!
January 10, 2026
Great book on preaching at large, but adds a helpful nuance on topical sermons. Chan and Gill pepper in lots of personal stories and examples to make the concepts more clear and engaging. I’ll be recommending this book to many!
June 14, 2022
We’ll communicated and full of helps for the preacher. The appendix on preaching during COVID was helpful too. Helpful challenge to our tendency towards over reliance on expository preaching.
December 20, 2022
Good but a bit too long not all chapters were necessarily related to the title of the book, more to general homiletics
October 6, 2024
While I think that expository preaching should be the normal diet of the local church, topical sermons have their place. This is an excellent book on how to develop a topical sermon.
December 10, 2021
Truth and relevance are the hallmarks of good preaching. Sermons must reflect the Word of God, but they also must affect their hearers. In Topical Preaching, Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill defend topical sermons against their expository critics and show how to develop and deliver such sermons more effectively.
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews