Issue 40 AI and the churchBlog | Classic Book Review – Sam Wells
Classic Book Review – Sam Wells
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 13.09.24
What book, apart from the Bible have you found yourself returning to again and again, in your preaching ministry? In our Classic Review series we have asked some preachers to consider that question, with our focus turning to Sam Wells’ popular book Speaking the truth: Preaching in a diverse culture.
SPEAKING THE TRUTH: PREACHING IN A DIVERSE CULTURE Sam Wells (Canterbury Press, 2018) 320pp, paperback
Sam Wells is crystal clear about the purpose of preaching. A sermon, he says, ‘is the event of reading out or relaying a love letter. Delivering should be about conveying a letter drenched in love from God to the congregation.’ This is a jewel of a book for anyone involved in preaching. It would be worth reading for its prologue on preaching alone. And yet, there is much wisdom across its chapters and examples, with lots of sound advice for anyone who finds themselves teaching in a church setting.
Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martins-in-the-Fields, London, and a regular BBC Radio 4 broadcaster, helpfully sets out the four principles he applies when preparing a sermon. He advises:
Go to the end first: ‘Work out the last line and write it down on a piece of piece of paper before you write the first line of the sermon.’ Whatever form your sermon takes, this will ensure impact.
Structure your argument: ‘If your argument is carefully structured then your congregation will have no difficulty following it.’
Don’t start writing until you have the whole argument and the last line: ‘If you’re not bursting to tell the congregation the good ne
