Preaching is a challenging task. From a human perspective, it can be daunting to develop a half-hour speech every week that engages, challenges, and inspires the congregation. From a divine perspective, it doesn’t get any easier! Preachers believe that God deigns to communicate his word through our fallible sermons. What an honour and responsibility!

In true preacher style, Jared E. Alcántara developed a preaching text book based on an alliteration. The five ‘C’s of Christian preaching are conviction, context, clarity, concrete, and creativity. Each chapter is theologically profound and packed with practical advice. Anyone learning or upgrading their preaching skills will find grounded advice from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

It’s worth noting the companion website: practicesofchristianpreaching.com. The free companion is filled with engaging discussion questions and illustrative material. The extra material is worth thinking through alone, but would be even better discussed in a small group. This would make an excellent book for a group of pastors to explore together in a ministerial setting.

Alcántara, associate professor of preaching at Truett Theological Seminary, has written a different type of preaching text that focuses on five important values rather then a step-by-step methodology. The result is an inspiring book, useful for seasoned preachers and young homiletics students alike.

Alcántara, Jared E. The Practices of Christian Preaching: Essentials for Effective Proclamation. Baker Academic, 2019.