Synopses & Reviews
With clarity and wit, preacher and writer Sondra Willobee explores the joyful process of crafting effective sermons. Gathering the strategies of good writers, Willobee shows how to capture and keep listeners' attention, how to generate suspense through structure, and how to increase impact with vivid language. In addition, Willobee offers examples, exercises, and reflections that help turn each chapter into a preaching workshop. The result is a book that will rekindle the creativity of experienced preachers and help new preachers develop their own compelling voices.
Synopsis
In this book, veteran preacher Sondra Willobee shows preachers how to enliven their sermons by using the techniques of great writers. With clarity and wit, Willobee explores the joyful process of crafting effective sermons.
Synopsis
In this book, veteran preacher Sondra Willobee shows preachers how to enliven their sermons by using the techniques of great writers. The book includes three sections: (1) hook-how good sermons begin with something that grabs listeners' attention; (2) book-how to shape a sermon with narrative pulse and ascending emotional intensity so that listeners experience the gospel; and (3) stone-how good sermons use specific, concrete language. By explaining these techniques, offering many examples, and reflecting on her own successes and failures, Willobee has provided a resource that will rekindle the creativity of experienced preachers and help new preachers develop their own compelling voice.
About the Author
Sondra B. Willobee is Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church in South Lyon, Michigan. Her writing has appeared in The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Driftwood Review, Windhover, Weathervane, and The Michigan Christian Advocate.