The Empty Pulpit Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle version is available to download in english. Read online anytime anywhere directly from your device. Click on the download button below to get a free pdf file of The Empty Pulpit book. This book definitely worth reading, it is an incredibly well-written.
A coming of age tale that tells the story of fourteen year old Sherman Thompson who along with his younger sister finds the body of his pastor on the front lawn of the parsonage. As Sherman unravels the mystery of the murder he learns secrets that members of his church have been harboring and he learns some secrets his pastor had. Along the way he finds a strength he didn't know he had and meets a new, strange friend.
Author : Scott W. Alexander Publisher : Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Page : 148 pages File Size : 52,8 Mb Release : 1993 Category : Religion ISBN : 155896309X
A down-to-earth, practical introduction to the ins and outs of preaching for lay preachers, bivocational pastors, and others newly arrived in the pulpit. Recent years have seen a considerable increase in the amount of financial resources required to support a full-time pastor in the local congregation. In addition, large numbers of full-time, seminary trained clergy are retiring, without commensurate numbers of new clergy able to take their place. As a result of these trends, a large number of lay preachers and bivocational pastors have assumed the principal responsibility for filling the pulpit week by week in local churches. Most of these individuals, observes Clifton Guthrie, can draw on a wealth of life experiences, as well as strong intuitive skills in knowing what makes a good sermon, having listened to them much of their lives. What they often don't bring to the pulpit, however, is specific, detailed instruction in the how-tos of preaching. That is precisely what this brief, practical guide to preaching has to offer. Written with the needs of those for whom preaching is not their sole or primary occupation in mind, it begins by emphasizing what every preacher brings to the pulpit: an idea of what makes a sermon particularly moving or memorable to them. From there the book moves into short chapters on choosing an appropriate biblical text or sermon topic, learning how to listen to one's first impressions of what a text means, moving from text or topic to the sermon itself while keeping the listeners needs firmly in mind, making thorough and engaging use of stories in the sermon, and delivering with passion and conviction. The book concludes with helpful suggestions for resources, including Bibles, commentaries, other print resources and websites.
Preaching to Empty Seats by Dr. C. Dexter Wise III Pdf
An epidemic of empty seats has broken out in churches all across America. It has infected storefront churches on side streets, mainstream churches on Main Street, and megaministries sprawling across suburban campuses on multiple streets. Every Sunday, virtually everywhere in the United States, preachers are forced to stand in the pulpit and preach to empty seats. What has caused this situation, and how can it be changed? In this study, author C. Dexter Wise III addresses the issue of declining church attendance first by identifying nine key contributors to it, examining what these factors are and how they generate empty seats. He then goes on to offer more than one hundred concrete, practical steps that local churches can take to fill those empty seats with people on fire for the Lord, revolutionizing their entire ministries. With this guidance, which focuses on the contribution of both preachers and congregations, countless loss souls may flow into churches, full of the Word, the spirit, and the power of God. This guide explores the reasons that churches in the United States are facing declines in attendance and offers more than one hundred practical ways to fill these empty seats again.
The Pulpit Commentary, Volume 6 by Spence-Jones, Henry Pdf
The Pulpit Commentary was first published between 1880 and 1919 and is a highly respected work written by conservative, trustworthy men. Containing over 22,000 pages and 95,000 entries, it is one of the largest and best-selling homiletic commentary sets of all time. It was directed by editors Joseph Exell and Henry Donald Maurice Spence-Jones and utilized more than 100 authors over a 30-year span. When reading this commentary, it is not difficult to see why it has remained a favorite amongst pastors for more than 100 years. There are three key elements which set this apart from its contemporaries, the first being that it gives an exposition, or verse-by-verse, annotation of each verse in the Bible. The second element is that it explores the framework of the text, the homiletics. Finally, it supplies the homilies with multiple model sermons from various authors. Also included is a translation as well as historical and geographical information. The Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle declared, “This commentary bids fair to take a conspicuous place among the ever-multiplying aids to the study of the Holy Scriptures. It will revive the great work of Lange, and will far exceed the Speaker's Commentary in the bulk and fullness of its material. The peculiarity of the Pulpit Commentary is that it offers special assistance to the preacher: first by giving him a critical and exegetical exposition of the text of Scripture, and then providing him with succinct and helpful directions as to the preachable aspects of the chapter and paragraph already explained." The print edition of this set typically retails for more than $1,000 making the current offered price a very good bargain. Due to its size, it has been broken up into nine separate volumes: Volume 1 Genesis to Joshua Volume 2 Judges to 2 Kings Volume 3 1 Chronicles to Job Volume 4 Psalms to Song of Songs Volume 5 Isaiah to Daniel Volume 6 Hosea to Malachi Volume 7 Matthew to John Volume 8 Act to Philippians Volume 9 Colossians to Revelation The footnotes have been placed in line with the text with each footnote number enclosed in red brackets (i.e.: []) and the text in green. There is also a linked table of contents at the beginning of each volume for ease of navigation. Key Features * Over 22,000 pages with more than 95,000 entries * One of the largest and exhaustive commentary sets of its kind * Contributions from over 100 authors * Expositions—with thorough verse-by-verse commentary of each verse of the Bible * Homiletics—with the framework or overall look of the text * Homilies—four to six sample sermons from various authors * Detailed information on Biblical customs * Historical and geographical information * Translations of key Hebrew and Greek words All 23 Volumes of the printed version are included in these nine volumes. 1. Genesis/Exodus 2. Leviticus/Numbers 3. Deuteronomy/Joshua/Judges 4. Ruth/1&2 Samuel 5. 1&2 Kings 6. 1&2 Chronicles 7. Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther/Job 8. Psalms 9. Proverbs/Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon 10. Isaiah 11. Jeremiah/Lamentations 12. Ezekiel 13. Daniel/Hosea/Joel 14. Amos - Malachi 15. Matthew 16. Mark/Luke 17. John 18. Acts/Romans 19. 1&2 Corinthians 20. Galatians - Colossians 21. 1&2 Thessalonians - James 22. 1&2 Peter - Revelation
Poverty has several definitions, depending on who's defining and from what perspective. For this discourse, we define it as emptiness that borders on acute lack--be it spiritual, social, material, economic, financial or political; the absence of basic provisions that makes a person's life meaningful and bearable. It's not just the absence of food, shelter or clothing but also the absence of health-care (by whatever definition), social rights and access to education, justice and public political space to shape events in the social environment. It's a measure of societal development (Seers 1977). Poverty level defines social status--which determines social access. Poverty is better explained or defined fully by the person experiencing it, with the right words and/or images for others to understand. Poverty is personal yet very public, As its presence is a collective condemnation of society (secular/spiritual). Paradoxically, poverty from close quarters (trusted by us), Is like friendly fire in a combat zone. Armies train their soldiers to take on enemy fire, and prevail. Friendly fire? It's not only a different kind of fire, it's unanticipated and response is difficult. Its impact is painful and response is challenging because relationships are involved. There's a shocking devastation because of its source. Poverty from a close quarter like a pulpit is really difficult to comprehend left alone deal with. Though difficult, friendly fire requires a response and to get on with the war at hand. We need the same approach in dealing with poverty from a very close source like a pulpit. Poverty from the Pulpit is a Christian-sociological analysis of poverty within the body of Christ in this era of "prosperity theology" that pervades Christendom today. it asks Christians everywhere to question their perception of poverty and see where the source of their poverty is and where the solution lies.
The Effective Church Board by Michael J. Anthony Pdf
Are you a recently elected church board member who hasn't received training for your new position? Are you a current board member disillusioned by negative experiences and interpersonal conflicts? Education specialist Michael Anthony asked a cross-section of almost a hundred pastors and church officers, in addition to staff members and denominational officials, to give their input about what is happening in church boards across America. The results of the survey were compiled into a comprehensive handbook that addresses topics such as: -Developing a vision statement -Writing job descriptions -Setting long- and short-range goals -Facing financial storms -Resolving interpersonal conflicts -Reviving a declining church This unique, multi-denominational training resource emphasizes developing a team structure. It can be used for individual instruction, group discussions, and orientation sessions. The case studies clearly identify situations and leadership experiences common to many church boards.
