Press Releases08 Jan 18

New book ‘Perspectives on Preaching: A Witness of the Irish Church’ to be launched at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, 22nd January

A new book Perspectives on Preaching: A Witness of the Irish Church, published by Church of Ireland Publishing (CIP) in conjunction with the Church of Ireland Theological Institute (CITI), will be launched by the Rt Revd Ken Good, Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, in the Music Room of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Monday 22nd January 2018 at 5.30pm. The new book, featuring contributions from a wide range of notable preachers and thinkers, has been edited by Canon Dr Maurice Elliott (Director of CITI) and the Revd Dr Patrick McGlinchey (Lecturer in Missiology and Pastoral Studies at CITI), and has been produced with, in the words of Dr Elliott, ‘the underlying conviction that biblically–grounded, Spirit–filled and culturally–relevant preaching is a sine qua non for the health of any local church’. He continues, ‘The place of preaching needs urgently to be re–established as a consummately noble one within the life of every Christian congregation’.

Ahead of the book launch, Bishop Ken Good said, ‘I warmly welcome this publication. A recurrent theme in it is the need for the preacher not only to stretch people’s minds but also to move their hearts. I have to confess that my heart was excited as I read these preachers’ convictions about God’s transformative power being released through the spoken word. Here we are reminded that the preacher, during his or her preparation, must be the first one willing to be touched by the Christ–centred message they are making ready to deliver. Then, as they speak out the message with authenticity and vitality, the hearts and minds of their congregation can be rekindled by the Holy Spirit in a way that enables influence for Christ to radiate out into the community. There is much in this book to encourage preachers and to raise their confidence in what God can accomplish in the Church and in the world through this vital ministry.’

The new publication engages with the themes of preaching Scripture, denominational charisms and preaching to the culture, across twelve different chapters. In addition to the editors, the contributors are: Archbishop Richard Clarke; the Revd Canon Patrick Comerford; the Revd Dr Shane Crombie; the Revd Dr Brian Fletcher; the Revd Barry Forde; Bishop Ferran Glenfield; Dr Katie Heffelfinger; Bishop Harold Miller; the Rt Revd Dr Trevor Morrow and the Revd Dr Robin Stockitt.

The 242pp book will be available at the launch and thereafter from https://store.ireland.anglican.org/store/product/140/perspectives-on-preaching-a-witness-of. It is priced €11/£10.

Endorsements for the forthcoming Perspectives on Preaching:

‘This is one of those books that sets a task for itself, meets it, and goes well beyond. It does a fine job describing preaching and the Irish Church, and it also gives a great survey of the importance and currency of preaching to the Church everywhere along the way. What has been accomplished in this text reminds us of the power of the Living Word to shape and renew the Church when we take that power seriously, and not for granted. I would use this book as one of the texts for the first course in Homiletics; it would push students to understand just how important preaching really is for the life of the Church.’

The Very Reverend Dr Steven A. Peay, Research Professor of Homiletics, Nashotah House Theological Seminary, Wisconsin, USA

‘A volume on preaching written from the perspective of the Church in Ireland which takes insightful account of its context is, in itself, of value. The scope of this book is broad in the variety and range of subjects with which its contributors engage. The significance of preaching within the whole Church and for the whole of life, even in this digital age, is affirmed, along with a common commitment that preaching be biblically–centred, Spirit–filled and a living expression of faith. If Emil Brunner is correct in his assertion that “The sermon … (is) without doubt the … authentic heart of the Church”, then this volume gives hope that the Church in Ireland is in good heart.’

The Revd Dr Heather Morris, Methodist Church in Ireland

‘The Word of God is the first source of all Christian spirituality. For this reason the ministry of the Word is essential to the life and well–being of the Church in every age and generation. Those who are called to evangelise must first listen to the Scriptures for themselves, inclining the ear of their heart in prayer, so as to apply the Bible’s message to their own lives. Only then can they echo God’s Word with boldness and humility in a way that is credible. To reach the heart of its listener a homily must come from the heart of its preacher. I trust and pray that this timely publication will encourage those called to bring the Good News to their brothers and sisters to allow heart to speak to heart so that they may be true heralds of salvation, witnesses to God’s loving mercy, in a world longing for the Gospel of life.’

Dom Mark–Ephrem M. Nolan, OSB, Benedictine Monks, Rostrevor