Resources

Just Say the Word: Writing for the Ear

A useful guide to writing sermon manuscripts.

Andy McRae, associate pastor, Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Takoma Park, Maryland

G. Robert Jacks, associate professor of speech communication in ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, has done all preachers a great favor with his manual on preaching so people can hear.

The book is part textbook, part workbook, and always entertaining. It seeks to help preachers write sermon manuscripts (whether they read them in the pulpit or not!) that will help them speak in ways that people listen. Included are instructions about the proper use of questions, ordering the sequence of ideas, getting rid of excess words, developing style, doing rewrites, and using and telling stories (these alone are worth the price of the book!). The book provides many usable examples of sermons, stories, and conversation.

Andy McRae, associate pastor, Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Takoma Park, Maryland

September 1997

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Hello, Pastor: Small-church insights shared by a member with his new pastor

A member of a small church shares important insights with his new pastor

Mini churches, Maximum challenges

A pastor perceptively tells the stories of his ministry in four small churches

How Group Dynamics Impact Your Ministry

Congregational size decides some "ground rules" for pastors' roles and leadership

We're still here

An illuminating view of the plusses of life and ministry in smaller congregations

Our church has risen to new life!

The inspiring and instructive story of how a small, dying church rose to become a dynamic congregation

Sexual Sin: Could it happen to you?

A pastor's candid account of what precipitated his fall and how he has dealt with the consequences

The Music of Great Preaching

A great musician draws lessons from a great preacher

Ministry and the American Legal System

A useful volume on various legal questions affecting the clergy.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - SermonView - Medium Rect (300x250)

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)