World Christianity
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 61, No. 2 – Spring 2019
Managing Editor: W. Madison Grace II
By Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix. Chicago: Moody, 2017. 237 pages. Hardcover, $29.99
Are the majority of preachers as good as they will ever be by age 25? The claim often appears true. Why? Because many preachers fail to grow in their preaching. They start preaching. They find a rhythm. They get comfortable. They hit cruise control. True of you? Yes or no, Vines and Shaddix have composed a book to help all preachers rise to the next level in their preaching. Of course, no one ever arrives at homiletical perfection. Yet, based upon 1 Timothy 4:15, Vines and Shaddix claim that those called of God to herald His Word must strive by God’s grace to steward their responsibility with increasing faithfulness.
Progress in the Pulpit provides a unique combination of homiletical fundamentals and advanced ideas to remind and challenge all preachers. The content proceeds according to the following categories: Defining the Sermon, Developing the Sermon, and Delivering the Sermon. With these categories, both authors desire “to enhance the preaching ministry so the message of the gospel continues in America and even to the ends of the earth” (18).
Preaching today comes in all shapes and sizes, but the essential conviction of this book is “that biblical exposition should serve as the foundational approach to preaching” (22). Therefore, the trajectory of homiletical growth espoused here is unashamedly a growth in expository or text-driven preaching. Shaddix argues that if the Bible is and does what it claims, then to do anything other than fully expose God’s Word to God’s people would be the equivalent of “possessing a cure for cancer and withholding it from the public” (32). In order to expose God’s Word to God’s people, Shaddix encourages planning one’s preaching and suggests keeping the following food groups in mind for a balanced diet: systematic exposition, doctrinal instruction, and prophetic interpretation (51).
This volume presents an encyclopedia of suggestions for homiletical growth. The following points, however, highlight some of the most helpful information to consider. In chapter seven, Shaddix takes on the heated debate of how to preach Christ from any text and argues that the Gospel must be preached in every sermon. His clear and concise argumentation crystalizes the way to understanding the connection of any text to Christ and hence the open door to the Gospel message.
Second, Vines delves into sermon clarity in chapter nine. The heart of clarity beats by crafting a single, brief sentence that communicates the essence of the entire sermon. As elementary a concept as this may seem, many ignore it every Sunday. Vines suggests putting the point of the text in a tweetable 140 characters. This simplification of the point from the pulpit is critical for clarity in the pew.
A third highlight might be an aha moment for many and for some will be worth the price of the book. Have you ever wondered why some sermons seem to hold the audience’s attention while others fail? Based on rhetorical research and insight from TED Talks, Vines posits the idea that retaining the audience’s attention past twenty minutes requires building in “soft breaks” (147). These breaks needed every ten minutes or so are moments that re-grip the audience with stories, humor, an illustration, a demonstration, or something the breaks out of the ordinary.
Next, Shaddix offers in chapter 12 what might be the most neglected element needed for progress in the pulpit—teaching the congregation how to listen to a sermon. As counterintuitive as this might seem, progress in the pulpit is not just about the preacher improving, but also improving the fruitfulness of his preaching. Unfortunately, most Christians have never received teaching concerning the purpose and function of the sermon. They have heard even less on how to listen for maximum benefit. Most preachers take this teaching and knowledge for granted. As a result, people suffer from not knowing how to make the most of next Sunday’s sermon. Shaddix highlights the issue as an area where most all preachers can make progress.
The homiletical wealth Progress in the Pulpit provides might leave one staggering and wondering where to begin. The book does not offer a systematic plan or map out any recommended starting points. This perhaps, would have been helpful. The authors, however, do provide recommended reading for progress at the end of each chapter and a sermon presentation feedback guide in the appendix. The reader will notice a slight difference in perspective by each author as is to be expected. The writing style changes from one author to the other, but the trajectory of their thought remains aligned.
Overall, this volume easily attains the goal of enhancing the preaching ministry of those willing to read and heed its advice. The authors write simply and personally so that the book reads more like a conversation with two wise preachers than it does an academic tutorial. Vines and Shaddix write as pastors who have given their lives to progress in their preaching. They offer more to the preacher willing to grow than he can possibly implement next Sunday. Arrival, however, is not the point, progress is.
