Preface to "Preach or Perish"

This is a book for preachers. But not only for preachers. Anybody who has anything to do with preaching should read this book - those who teach about preaching, those who listen to preachers, those who think about their preaching, those who criticize preachers and those who have to live with preachers.

The chapters are short and easy to read. “Preach or Perish” is not too technical. It was never meant to be. While dealing seriously with a serious topic its pages are sprinkled with humorous reflections or quotes. There is an attempt here to model what the preacher must focus on - communication, important communication and communication to as many as possible. The authors vary greatly in background, style and chosen subject matter. Variety is one of the keys to successful communication. There is much to agree with and perhaps much to disagree with. Read between the lines and you are aware that the authors are not “copycats”. Your reaction to a particular contribution will depend on who you are, your background and gifts, what you have learnt over the years and what you haven’t, what you like and what you don’t. The book however, wherever we currently stand, like any good communication, engages us.

Of course the Christian preacher focuses on the truth. Falsehood is to be scrupulously avoided. In the chapters that follow, the truth of the Bible permeates at every level. It is not simply about rightly practising the art of preaching. It is very much about preaching rightly the message that has come from God and that is about God. It is not only about preaching to the godly and the ungodly, it is about the godly preacher dealing with his own ungodliness and his need for growth in godliness.

Truth and communication of the truth are the keys to understanding this collection of essays. Reciting the truth without communicating is like adding fresh water to the salty ocean. Communicating falsehood is like substituting polluted water for pure water. Yet communication and truth are not that easily characterized as this work makes clear. Those who listen have their specific needs. The truth proclaimed has to meet those needs at the right time. Different circumstances may require different approaches. Getting people to understand doesn’t only involve choosing the appropriate passage or topic, it requires enticing them to listen. And if it’s the truth, it doesn’t matter whether they like what they hear or not. This book homes in on these issues.

The chapters that follow are not all about simply preaching and the preacher. References are made to historical matters. The public reading of Scripture, English translations of the Bible and the use of the media feature as distinct chapters. One chapter is devoted to pastoral care, the preacher and visitation, another offers reflections of a preacher’s wife. Speaking at the funeral service, knowing your congregation, and retirement and preaching are the focus of other chapters. One appendix consists of four quizzes designed to inform the preacher, another contains information that could inform both the preacher and the congregation.

It is a practical book in many senses of the word. The demanding expertise required in the construction of a clear and compelling word and its delivery is outlined in a variety of ways. The godly requirements of the one who will deliver the word are no less prominent. The book does have an interest in expository preaching but by no means solely so. While biblical exegesis is the exception, theological perspectives abound. Differences between preachers and hearers alike are taken into account. Here and there, one writer or another tells a tale about himself or herself or others. Examples abound of what to do and what not to do.

For all the many authors in this work, this is Donald Howard’s book. It was his dream. It is his creation. He contributes a number of essays. The Introduction is important. It tells you about the man, his life and what makes him tick. It informs us of his passion for good preaching. Its style creates the desire to read on.

Then you meet others authors, experienced like Donald, and many from whom they freely quote. There are some male and some female, some living and some dead. Most are well known. There is humour and there is passion. There is close knit reasoning and there are lists of items in point form. Though the variety in style of the various authors is stark, they all have a passion for seeing the able preacher proclaim the word of God - to proclaim him and his message well.

One of the problems I personally have with the book is that it tempted me to want to write my own chapter. Not a chapter to argue against anything in other chapters, simply my own chapter. But that’s a good thing about this book. It promotes thinking about the whole issue of preaching, the preacher, the word preached and the one on whom the preaching centres.

Dr Barry Newman, Head of the School of Teacher Education at the University of New South Wales (retired).