Transformational Preaching: The Basics

First published in 2003 and revised in 2008, "Transformational Preaching: Theory and Practice" remains an internationally-acclaimed textbook, but this slimmed-down version will be a welcomed addition to the preacher's library. While the current work was produced primarily to ease the task of translators, it also makes the same material more easily accessible to the English-speaking readers. Twelve of the less-essential chapters and most of the introductory and closing material of each chapter have been removed from the original work, along with footnotes, endnotes, and indices that had been included for academic purposes. Still, the current edition retains the same challenging material as its predecessor. Now in a clearer organizational pattern, the identical (though slightly-edited) text draws upon the academic disciplines of biblical theology, classical rhetoric, human communication theory, public discourse, linguistics, performance, and orality, in a way that produces insights that had never been applied to preaching until the publication of "Transformational Preaching: Theory and Practice." As with that much larger volume (which is still available), the student of "The Basics" will discover theoretical and practical guidelines for every step of sermon development: finding ideas, building fresh sermons from start to finish, and preparing for the transaction of preaching. The current version also includes an Appendix of sample sermons and is available in both eBook and print formats. From start to finish, Brown encourages the reader to apply general principles to his or her own theological perspective, grasp of biblical material, "clay jar" personality, contexts of ministry, and practice of the unique art form that we identify as preaching.