Small Preaching: 25 Little Things You Can Do Now to Make You a Better Preacher

It’s not often that we hear the virtues of the small. Our culture teaches that bigger is better—and that includes church ministry and preaching, too. But what if rather than swinging for the fences, preachers focused on improving their sermons through small habits, practices, and exercises? What if smaller is better?

In a world where “small” isn’t always celebrated, Jonathan T. Pennington provides Small Preaching, a short book of simple tips that can have revolutionary effects over time. Pennington offers preachers 25 words of wisdom that will help shape their preaching for the better.

104 pages.

Contents:

• Introduction
• The Person of the Preacher
• Handling Praise Carefully and Gladly
• Handling Criticism Carefully and Humbly
• Band of Brothers Preaching
• Pastoring as Conducting
• Be God’s Witness, Not His Lawyer
• Distinguish between Preaching and Teaching
• Encaustic Preaching
• Preparation for Preaching
• Manuscript Writing as Thinking
• Sermon Writing as Sculpture
• Snack Writing
• The Rhythm of Education and the Jigsaw Puzzle
• Kill Your Darlings

• Iceberg Preaching
• “This Sermon Stinks”
• Practice of Preaching
• The First Minute of a Sermon
• The Last Minute of a Sermon
• Preaching the Church Calendar
• Preaching the Cultural Calendar
• The Power of Predictions
• Every Sermon a Story
• Make Music in Your Sermon
• Always Exposition?
• The Unexamined Sermon Is Not Worth Preaching
• At Weddings and Funerals, Be a Guide
• Stealing as Sub-Creating
• Conclusion

In this delightful little book, Jonathan Pennington proves himself at home in the library and the pulpit.

–Dan Doriani, Professor of Theology and Vice President, Covenant Theological Seminary

This book beautifully combines the renowned exegetical and hermeneutical skills of an eminent New Testament scholar with the heart and passion of a shepherd who loves God's flock.

–Hershael W. York, Dean of the School of Theology and Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Preaching, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Senior Pastor, Buck Run Baptist Church

This book will help preachers who are just starting to hone their skills and seasoned ministers alike.

–JT English, Lead Pastor, Storyline Fellowship

Small Preaching may be small in size and length, but not in the practical wisdom of which all pastors desire and need. I commend it to every pastor.

–Brian Croft, Founder/Executive Director Practical Shepherding