Additional information
by Matthew D. Kim (Author), Paul A. Hoffman (Author)
Outreach 2023 Resource of the Year (Leadership)
We live in angry times. No matter where we go, what we watch, or how we communicate, our culture is rife with division and polarization. Unfortunately, Christians appear to be caught up in the same animosity as the culture at large. While our faith calls us to Christian unity, the hard fact remains: our churches are tragically divided across class, ethnic, gender, and political lines. As these social chasms grow--both inside and outside the church--the role of the preacher becomes paramount.
This book issues a prophetic call to pastors to use the influence of their pulpits to promote reconciliation and unity in their churches and communities. Two scholar-practitioners who are experts in homiletics and reconciliation present a practical, seven-step model that empowers faithful leaders to bring healing and peace to their fractured churches and world. The book includes questions for reflection, salient illustrations, and an accountability covenant. It also includes useful appendixes on preaching themes, preaching texts, and sample sermons from three leading preachers: Ralph Douglas West, Rich Villodas, and Sandra Maria Van Opstal.
Back Jacket
"A useful framework to confront the division in our time"
During a time of division and polarization, this book equips faithful pastors to cultivate reconciliation and unity in their churches through their preaching.
"A wonderful field guide. I can't recommend this book highly enough."
--Scott Sauls, senior pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church; author of A Gentle Answer and Beautiful People Don't Just Happen
"A useful framework to confront the division in our time with preaching grounded in the Bible's story line and founded on the redemptive work of Christ."
--Ed Stetzer, Wheaton College
"A must-read. Get this book and read it with your church staff today!"
--Michelle Ami Reyes, vice president, Asian American Christian Collaborative; author of Becoming All Things
"Kim and Hoffman exhort faithful homileticians to listen to various social perspectives as a means of informing authentic Christian preaching. For the sake of the healing of divided nations everywhere, may all preachers eagerly hear this exhortation with ears of grace."
--Eric C. Redmond, Moody Bible Institute
"In such a polarizing and fractious time, Christian preachers need resources that bridge divides and remind us that God makes a way out of no way. Thankfully, this timely book gives us both."
--Jared E. Alcántara, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"If you want a framework for preaching that leads to reconciliation instead of division, this one's for you!"
--Tara Beth Leach, author of Emboldened and Radiant Church
"A stunning, scholarly, current, and critical guide for preachers to take seriously the complexity of preaching in a rapidly changing world."
--Glenn Packiam, lead pastor, New Life Downtown; author of The Resilient Pastor
"Kim and Hoffman's approach to preaching is practical and attainable. I'm grateful for their effort in training pastors to bring the redemptive power of the gospel in relevant ways to their communities."
--Scott Ridout, president, Converge
Author Biography
Matthew D. Kim (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is professor of practical theology and holder of the Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership at Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas. He previously served as the George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology, director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching, and director of Mentored Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is a past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and has over twenty years of preaching and teaching experience. Kim has written or edited many books, including Preaching to People in Pain (winner of a Christianity Today 2022 Book Award) and Preaching with Cultural Intelligence (the 2018 Preaching magazine Book of the Year).
Paul A. Hoffman (PhD, University of Manchester) is senior pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport, Rhode Island. He serves on the Oversight Board for the Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region, is an adjunct professor at Barclay College, and is the author of Reconciling Places: How to Bridge the Chasms in Our Communities.
