Former Archbishop of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane has expressed his hopes for the flourishing of preaching in Sydney at the launch of an historic book on Saturday.
Preach or Perish, a new book on the theology and practice of preaching, has a weighty Sydney Anglican contributor list, including previous Archbishops of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane and Dr Donald Robinson, as well as current Archbishop, Dr Peter Jensen.
As he formally launched the book and praised the work of its editor, the Rev Donald Howard, Sir Marcus Loane has said the book has preserved an insight for future generations into the preaching mindset of the Sydney Diocese today.
"People of the future will look at this book for an understanding of the Sydney Diocese of this time," he said.
Sir Marcus mentioned several famous preachers of earlier generations who had provided younger men with inspiration and acted as role models.
While younger preachers could profit from the example of older men, Sir Marcus asserted that each had to develop his own style in the pulpit.
"I hope this book will play a part in stirring the hearts and minds of those who preach and those who hear the gospel proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ, calling them into its marvellous light," he concluded.
Sir Marcus, who wrote the foreword and contributed a chapter, has said Preach or Perish would encourage preachers in their ministry.
"Donald Howard and many of his fellow writers are people whose whole ministry has been built on faithful, fearless, fervent preaching," Sir Marcus writes.
"One may hope that this book will greatly encourage those who are on the threshold of a life-long ministry and that the pure preaching of God's Holy Word will grow and flourish on an even wider and more fruitful scale."
A peek behind the front cover
Other contributors to Preach or Perish include Dr JI Packer, Dr D Broughton Knox, Bishop Ken Short, Bishop Donald Cameron, Bishop John Reid, the Rev John Chapman, Dr Tony Nichols, and Bishop Dudley Foord and Mrs Elizabeth Foord.
These contributors have tackled the theology of exposition and exegesis, as well as practical challenges on the preparation and delivery of sermons, such as how long sermons should be and what version of the Bible to preach from.
The book also includes chapters by ABC Radio presenter Kel Richards (pictured) and Deaconess Margaret Rodgers on the opportunities presented to preachers by the secular media.
The official launch, held on Saturday at St Andrew's Cathedral's Chapter House, drew a crowd of nearly 100.
The editor of Preach or Perish, the Rev Donald Howard, has said the book has the "twofold aim" of encouraging preachers and helping readers to understand and value "the dynamic relationship which should exist between pulpit and pew".
In his introduction to the launch, Mr Howard recalled how his vision for the book had arisen from his policy of conducting a seminar after each Sunday service when he was in parish ministry, to allow anyone to comment on the service or the sermon.
"This helped the preacher to keep up to the mark," he explained.
"At the same time, members of the congregation, particularly confirmees, came to appreciate the demands of sermon construction and how to analyse and put into practice what they had heard.”
While the book is about preaching, Dr Barry Newman, head of the School of Teacher Education at the University of New South Wales, states that its relevance extends beyond the preacher.
"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 preaching, those who critcise preachers and those who have to live with preachers," he says.
Dr Mark Thompson, academic dean of Moore Theological College, chaired the launch, while the Rev Denis Ryan read the Bible and led the prayers.
PHOTOS: Ramon A Williams
