The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2018

Book excerpt: Each week’s entry includes: Primary Theme Fleshed out with brief, pithy nuggets of thought, idea jump-starters, or questions These are designed to spur the preacher’s imagination and sermon development process They offer fresh, intriguing ideas They point the reader/preacher in a good direction; the reader takes it from there Secondary Themes 2 or 3 themes or streams of thought that are related to but separate from the primary theme. These might arise from different parts of the lectionary text. This may also include questions, or alternative ways of thinking about the primary theme. Worship Helps Liturgical elements for the beginning, middle, and end of the worship service. A variety of elements each week, encouraging participation and engagement for the worshipper. All elements relate to the primary and/or secondary themes, to help preachers and worship planners achieve a cohesive thematic flow in worship. Gathering Prayer, Call to Worship Collect, Pastoral Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Responsive Reading, etc. Closing Prayer or Benediction Homiletical Topic Essays (3) These 700-word essays cover a variety of current and critical topics for the preacher. Each essay focuses on one particular topic. Topics could include the practice of preaching, sermon writing, current issues for the preacher, emerging trends in preaching, and emerging ideas or cultural trends that are important for the church and preacher. Essays are contributed by leading homileticians. Full Sermons (6 - 12) The full text from six - twelve sermons will be included in the print and e-book. The full sermons are included as a source of inspiration and edification for pastors, who so rarely are on the receiving end of preaching. These sermons will highlight best practices, unique approaches, and fresh voices. Sermon Series Ideas This section will briefly outline and describe ideas for unique sermon series based on lectionary readings. Most if not all of these will come from non-NT texts, helping preachers to include a wider range of scripture in their preaching. (Many pastors preach primarily from NT passages almost exclusively.)