Cowley Publications
Pages: 180
Trim: 6 x 8¾
978-1-56101-318-0 • Hardback • October 2007 • $55.00 • (£37.95)
978-1-56101-301-2 • Paperback • October 2007 • $19.95 • (£14.99)
978-1-4616-2416-5 • eBook • October 2007 • $18.99 • (£14.99)
Part 1 A Designated God Person
Part 2 Food for the Soul: Sacrament
Chapter 3 Sermon: Empty hands
Chapter 4 Sermon: There is no doubt
Part 5 Finding Our Way Home: Scripture
Chapter 6 Sermon: Grace Comes
Chapter 7 Sermon: Nativity to Resurrection
Part 8 Strangers at Home: Hospitality
Chapter 9 Sermon: A Wider Circle
Chapter 10 Sermon: Unexpected
Part 11 Kingfishers Catch Fire: Play
Chapter 12 Sermon: A deep breath
Chapter 13 Sermon: The Wall
Part 14 Holy Conversation: Prayer
Chapter 15 Sermon: Love came to us
Chapter 16 Sermon: Take, eat
Part 17 And it was Good: Embodiment
Chapter 18 Sermon: Right beside them
Chapter 19 Sermon: What we know
With prose, poetry, song, and prayer, Raewynne Whiteley demonstrates a practice of preaching that is flexible yet disciplined, both artful and theologically substantial. Preaching like this is serious, holy fun for both preacher and congregation.
— Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School
Preachers have needed this book for awhile, for it eloquently and thoughtfully focuses on how the preparation and preaching of sermons are not only labors of love we undertake on behalf of others, but also spiritual disciplines that feed us and bring us closer to God. I love the mix of the expected topics (sacrament, scripture, prayer) and less-expected topics (play, hospitality, embodiment) Raewynne Whiteley addresses in her treatment of preaching as spiritual practice. I also love the way in which she interweaves poems, prayers, hymn texts, and her own well-crated sermons throughout the prose of this volume—making the very reading of it feel more like a spiritual exercise than an academic one. Preachers will find inspiration, encouragement, and blessing here. They will also find a great deal of sound homiletical scholarship, insight and wisdom.
— Leonora Tubbs Tisdale, Yale Divinity School
Preaching is WORK; yet (as spiritual masters remind us) 'Work is prayer,' and 'Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.' Whiteley assists us in appropriating these pithy aphorisms, so that the process of preaching itself has the prospect of becoming a soul-nurturing spiritual discipline.
— David J. Schlafer, author of Your Way With God's Word
a collection of insightful essays, stimulating sermons, thoughtful poetry and practical advice.
— Ventura County Star