Imaginative Preaching: Praying the Scriptures So God Can Speak Through You (Global Perspectives Series)

✍ Scribed by Geoff New

• Book ID: 100192089
• Publisher: Langham Creative Projects
• Year: 2016
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 140 KB
• Category: Fiction
• ISBN: 1783688769

✦ Synopsis

From generation-to-generation there has been an anguished cry from preachers about preaching there is no imagination! The Scriptures present the wondrous hope and vision of Kingdom Come and yet contemporary preaching can often be mute and blind by comparison. This book explores what is possible when the Scripture to be preached is prayed through the agency of two ancient prayer disciplines: lectio divina and Ignatian Gospel Contemplation. Through the experiences of eight vocational pastor-preachers this study tracks the difficulties, discoveries and delights as they commit to utilizing these prayer disciplines as part of their regular sermon preparation.

The reader will be orientated to what a biblical imagination entails and how praying the Scriptures affects the preacher, sermon and listener. Careful explanation of how to pray using lectio divina and Ignatian Gospel Contemplation is included. This work is, in places, a raw examination of the forces that regularly conspire against the preacher as they endeavour to faithfully expound the Scriptures. The study is a rousing exclamation of the joy experienced when a preachers imagination and their preparation is formed by the Spirit, bringing the Scriptures to bear on all who speak and hear it.

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Review

If the Scriptures have not grasped and spoken to the preacher, the sermon is unlikely to say anything that grasps the congregation. And if the preacher has not been involved with the Scriptures via imagination and personal involvement, they are unlikely to have grasped him or her. So this work on imaginative engagement with the Scriptures might be the most important book that many preachers read, apart from the Scriptures into which it leads them.

John Goldingay

David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology,

Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, USA

This remarkable volume focuses on imagination, but sets it squarely in the midst of the great triad of pastor-prayer-congregation. This is pastoral theology at its best, inviting pastors and church leaders to let the power of the Spirit - via the generative force of Scripture - be in defining play in ministry. . . . "Imagination," it turns out, is openness to the Spirit and being led by a spirit other than our own. The invitation of this book is warmly companionable.

Walter Brueggemann

Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, USA

I was fascinated by the research reported by this book, Imaginative Preaching, and have already started to put it into practice. Preachers all over the world would benefit profoundly if they cultivated these prayer disciplines to rekindle their love for God, deepen their immersion in the Scriptures, and rejuvenate their love and affection for the people whom they serve! A sublime idea!

Marva J. Dawn

Theologian, Author, Preacher and Speaker

Through careful research and reflection, pastor-scholar Geoff New introduces road-tested Christian practices of praying with Scripture so that depleted souls may be refreshed by the Bread of Life and bear fruit in the world. Dr New's invitation to imaginative prayer with Scripture is a gift I gratefully accept for myself and also share with Christians, clergy and laity that I meet with in spiritual direction. The blessings flow!

Susan S. Phillips

Berkeley Graduate Theological Union, USA

Author of Candlelight: "Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction" and

"The Cultivated Life"

How can preachers encounter the risen Christ in ways that make preaching fresh, real and accessible? How can preachers grow in dwelling in Christ and dwelling in the Word? Geoff New presents a powerful and helpful model for meeting God personally through the words of the biblical text, vitally important for authentic preaching in our time.

Lynne M. Baab

author of "Sabbath Keeping" and "The Power of Listening"

From the Author

Geoff New is a Presbyterian minister in New Zealand. He is the Dean of Studies at Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership (Dunedin, NZ). He was the minister of Papakura East Presbyterian Church from 1997 to 2015. Geoff is a trainer for Langham Preaching (langham.org) in South Asia. He also heads up Kiwimade Preaching (kiwimadepreaching.com) which seek to resource and encourage preachers in NZ. Geoff graduated with a Doctor of Ministry from the Australian College of Theology in 2011. He is married to Ruth and they have three grown children.