The Canterbury Preacher’s Companion 2025
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How to Preach
How to Preach
Author Samuel Wells
Publisher Canterbury £22.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225214
The book’s strength is its focus on specific themes as well as the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ when writing a sermon. The section on ‘Times’ of how to preach in specific secular scenarios does not include ‘anger’, which is surprising given our world’s current emotional climate. ‘Seasons’ offers the predictable list but refreshingly includes one on ‘before’ Christmas (between Advent and Christmas). ‘Texts’ includes the author’s emphasis on the use of the Bible’s neglected theology in sermons; his ‘do’ message was that this should be woven into sermons whenever possible. The final section, ‘Contexts’, addresses preaching at funerals, weddings, and baptisms, and includes some pearls of wisdom. I am not sure that the book’s title is appropriate because it represents only one person’s approach to writing sermons, albeit an acclaimed and experienced preacher. The content is generally clear and erudite. Clearly, reading a sermon will usually be quite different when delivering it with all the emphases, pauses and nuances of the English language. This book will guide and enlighten preachers of all ages.
Reviewed by RICHARD APPLETON
Sermons
Seven Days to Freedom
Seven Days to Freedom
Author John Dudley Davies
Publisher DLT £14.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780232534856
Rarely is a book of a spiritual nature funny. This one made me laugh out loud in several places. For example, after quoting from material produced at the Walsingham Shrine which makes the point that all things are connected ‘even pilgrimage’, the author goes on to say that also connected are ‘scampi, aunts, trigonometry, eisteddfodau, Wing Commanders, urine, scalpels, semiquavers, USBs, magpies etc.’ That gives a flavour of the witty writing. Essentially, this is a series of sermons using the biblical creation stories, with a strong emphasis on the seventh day as a climax that brings all things together. This skilfully thought-provoking work relates the biblical text to present-day issues: coronavirus, the attempts by migrants to cross from Calais to Britain, and Archbishop Welby’s promotion of credit unions, amongst other issues. I cannot help feeling that this might make the book become dated rather quickly, because such questions will not necessarily assume great historical importance viewed retrospectively. Perhaps that does not matter to an author who is aged nearly 94. In the here and now, I loved this book.
Reviewed by ALAN WAKELY
Sermons; Creation
Following Christ
Following Christ
Author Robert Beaken
Publisher Sacristy Press £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789590821
The series of sermons selected here, written from an Anglo-Catholic perspective, are easy to read, if slightly old-fashioned in style. As well as sermons on the Christian year, some deal with special occasions such as Baptism, a funeral, and a marriage. There is some good teaching here, particularly with Beaken’s interesting take on the parable of the pearl of great price, and persuasive arguments on why Mary should be venerated. In his Holy Week sermons he emphasises the importance of living Jesus’ experiences during this time of waiting before Easter, stressing the reasons why we should make the effort to be in our churches in order to feel that ‘we are there, in Jerusalem with Jesus’. There are times when Beaken seems to be endorsing the doctrine of pre-destination: for example in his wedding address he speaks to the couple of ‘a God who has always planned that you will meet and marry’; and the young priest that ‘long before he was born …God had always planned that [he] should be a priest’. Despite some reservations, I think that the reader will find something here that ‘may cheer, strengthen and encourage’.
MARIE PATERSON
Sermons
By Way of the Heart: The Seasons of Faith
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