Preaching with Balance
Overview
Imagine that preaching is like a 'see-saw' or 'teeter-totter.' It is not much fun unless the people on both sides are roughly equal in weight. If not then one will suspended in the air, the other stuck on the ground both going nowhere!
Is this what you want of your congregation? Are they left high and dry or down in the dumps by their experience? Donald Hamilton doesn't want them to suffer this fate! Preaching with Balance is intended primarily for those who preach to the same congregation on a regular basis. This is the situation that most preachers find themselves in, yet most preaching books seem more intent on just providing a boost to the preacher without giving advice on how to maintain an improvement in preaching. Preaching with Balance comes complete with useful appendices on developing an annual preaching plan, planning topical and linear sermon sets and includes a useful sermon evaluation form.
- Guides to effective, Spirit-led sermon preparation
- Techniques for preaching that promotes church growth and vitality
Top Highlights
“Interestingly, the tone of voice and the demeanor of the preacher almost always tips off the listener that this is the case.” (Page 328)
“The place to begin is to consider certain theological perspectives as foundational to the preacher’s total philosophy of ministry including, of course, a corollary philosophy of preaching. It is vitally important to put first things first!” (Page 12)
“Christ is ‘the image of the invisible God’. The Greek eikon means likeness or manifestation and we should remember that ‘In Gk. thought an image shares in the reality of what it represents. The essence of the thing appears in the image.” (Pages 15–16)
“If preaching is to be effective in exerting influence or pressure, a fair amount of balance is required.” (Page 8)
“Christ is both the very essence of God and a chief means by which God has revealed himself” (Page 16)
The book is written from an evangelical standpoint and contains much of help to all who preach. It also presents many challenges with respect to our heart attitudes and motives.
—Evangelicals Now
My colleague at Columbia International University Seminary and School of Missions has produced for us an enormously practical work on all the critical issues of preaching in today's world. I commend Preaching with Balance without reservation. Someone has said that balance may be just another word for deadness, but that is certainly not true with this very helpful discussion of faithfully and fruitfully proclaiming God's Word. The topics covered are balance in theological and personal perspective, in preaching purpose, in homiletical variety, and in sermon content and delivery. Dr. Hamilton makes the point that most congregations would be pleased to hear better preaching, and most preachers would be pleased to be more effective in the pulpit. This text, carefully studied and applied, will greatly help to fulfill both desires.
—Larry Dixon, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History, Columbia International University, South Carolina
For too long homileticians have camped out on the practical "how to" while blatantly neglecting foundational matters in preaching. Don Hamilton has brought a corrective to the work. Preaching with Balance truly is a balanced approach to preaching, addressing theology and philosophy as well as practical application. To top it off, Hamilton weds hermeneutical integrity, homiletical ingenuity and healthy sermon delivery into one volume—a much-needed feature in books on preaching. It's got it all! And all of us who preach will do a better job of handling God's Word rightly as a result of reading this book.
—Jim Shaddix, Teaching Pastor, Riverside Baptist Church, Denver, Colorado and Author of The Passion Driven Sermon
Preaching With Balance" covers all the bases for a preacher to maintain balance in the preaching task. The author is insightful and incisive when handling issues of balance. He cautions the preacher of the possibility of getting into a rut. This book is a plumb line for all preachers. It is an invaluable contribution to the preaching fraternity. A must for the preacher's shelf.
—Dr. George Sumadraji (Rajoo), Academic Dean, Durban Bible College, Durban, South Africa
...through Preaching with Balance, a firm hand reaches out to steady preachers both neophyte and veteran. Through seven wisely placed steps Dr. Donald Hamilton enables us to firmly plant our feet, steadily keep our balance, humbly move ahead—all while faithfully declaring, "Thus says the Lord!
—Paige Paterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas
- Title: Preaching with Balance
- Author: Donald Hamilton
- Publisher: Christian Focus
- Publication Date: 2007
- Pages: 416