Pew-to-Pulpit

“This book is refreshing in its approach to preaching. Many books say that they are for the beginning preacher, but then operate with assumptions that only experienced preachers would understand. This book fills a real need by serving as a preaching primer. Guthrie treats the experience of the fearful first-time preacher with grace and seriousness that honors all forms of the vocation to preach the Word and honors the varieties of religious experience of those who enter the pulpit.”

—Gail R. O'Day, Candler School of Theology

“This sparkling book introduces preaching to lay preachers and seminary students while bringing fresh and provocative ideas to seasoned preachers. Written with a gift for language, this book is unusual in that, while it is about preaching, the experience of reading it becomes sermonic. By the time I finished, I felt as if I had been in worship.”

—Ronald J. Allen, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis

Endorsements

“While many of us have attempted to write ‘how-to-do-it’ books on preaching, Cliff Guthrie has gone us all one better. To begin with, he does not assume that all those seeking his guidance have been to seminary or are even ordained; his advice is for all new preachers. And it is superb advice: it is user friendly without being dumbed down. It is totally practical and down-to-earth, making no assumptions of background knowledge, yet it is profound. Guthrie's rare analytical ability allows him to observe things others of us have missed and to state them so simply that they seem obvious, giving us an ‘Aha!’ experience. The chapter on delivery alone is worth the price of the book.”

—O. C. Edwards Jr., Author of A History of Preaching

“Thank you for this book! It was easy to follow and fun to read and helped me survive the terrifying experience of my first sermon.”

—A United Methodist lay preacher