A Vision for Preaching

Now that I am back in pastoral ministry, I am doing some more reading in the area of preaching. One of the books that came my way was A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry by Abraham Kuruvilla.

Kuruvilla organizes this book around his definition of preaching, which is:

Biblical preaching, by a leader of the church, in a gathering of Christians for worship, is the communication of the thrust of a pericope of Scripture discerned by theological exegesis, and of its application to that specific body of believers, that they may be conformed to the image of Christ, for the glory of God—all in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Each chapter of the book takes on a different part of this definition. This length definition allows the author to touch on a number of important subjects.

However, this strict definition may lead to some questions and even disagreements. For example, Kuruvilla argues that preaching must be done by an ordained pastor. Even a lay minister, if they are not ordained, is disqualified by the author. I disagree with this even if I do think that generally and ideally it is appropriate for an ordained pastor to preach.

Kuruvilla also argues that preaching should be done in the church to a group of believers. This raises the question of the role of evangelistic preaching, which is often but not always done outside a church building.

Despite these concerns, A Vision for Preaching is a thought provoking presentation of the nature of preaching and will be a benefit to pastors and those interesting ministry.

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