Whether you preach from a pulpit or sit in a pew, you hope (and pray) for a homily that connects the Good News with life. But what does it mean to connect? In a world that buzzes with the synapses of technological "connection," can the human touch of preaching make a difference anymore? Connecting Pulpit and Pew is a fresh look at the conundrum of Catholic preaching, asking six key questions: Why does Sunday preaching matter and to whom? Why is Catholic preaching such an uphill climb? How can we connect the gospel message with our young people? What are the struggles of clergy-on-the-ground in preaching? What is going on in the listener's head during the homily? And finally, what can each of us do to help "connection" in preaching become more common? New research speaks to those questions from the voices of youth, the experiences of lay leaders, and the words of priests and deacons. Karla Bellinger offers concrete ways to connect the pulpit and the pew so that preaching becomes an act of love within a community of caring. This practical book breaks open an important and necessary conversation.

Whether you preach from a pulpit or sit in a pew, you hope (and pray) for a homily that connects the Good News with life. But what does it mean to connect? In a world that buzzes with the synapses of technological “connection,” can the human touch of preaching make a difference anymore? Connecting Pulpit and Pew is a fresh look at the conundrum of Catholic preaching, asking six key questions: Why does Sunday preaching matter and to whom? Why is Catholic preaching such an uphill climb? How can we connect the gospel message with our young people? What are the struggles of clergy-on-the-ground in preaching? What is going on in the listener’s head during the homily? And finally, what can each of us do to help “connection” in preaching become more common? New research speaks to those questions from the voices of youth, the experiences of lay leaders, and the words of priests and deacons. Karla Bellinger offers concrete ways to connect the pulpit and the pew so that preaching becomes an act of love within a community of caring. This practical book breaks open an important and necessary conversation.

A down-to-earth, practical introduction to the ins and outs of preaching for lay preachers, bivocational pastors, and others newly arrived in the pulpit. Recent years have seen a considerable increase in the amount of financial resources required to support a full-time pastor in the local congregation. In addition, large numbers of full-time, seminary trained clergy are retiring, without commensurate numbers of new clergy able to take their place. As a result of these trends, a large number of lay preachers and bivocational pastors have assumed the principal responsibility for filling the pulpit week by week in local churches. Most of these individuals, observes Clifton Guthrie, can draw on a wealth of life experiences, as well as strong intuitive skills in knowing what makes a good sermon, having listened to them much of their lives. What they often don't bring to the pulpit, however, is specific, detailed instruction in the how-tos of preaching. That is precisely what this brief, practical guide to preaching has to offer. Written with the needs of those for whom preaching is not their sole or primary occupation in mind, it begins by emphasizing what every preacher brings to the pulpit: an idea of what makes a sermon particularly moving or memorable to them. From there the book moves into short chapters on choosing an appropriate biblical text or sermon topic, learning how to listen to one's first impressions of what a text means, moving from text or topic to the sermon itself while keeping the listeners needs firmly in mind, making thorough and engaging use of stories in the sermon, and delivering with passion and conviction. The book concludes with helpful suggestions for resources, including Bibles, commentaries, other print resources and websites.

MAKE THE CONNECTION. Get plugged into the power of the preached Word and ignite your congregation with life-impacting sermons. As pastors and preachers, we are entrusted with the spiritual growth and development of people under our care and leadership. We are the preaching conduit through which the power of God's Word surges new life into His people. In this invaluable book of techniques, tips and guidance, Dr. Donald R. Hudson teaches you how to: CONNECT THE PULPIT AND THE PEWS TO FORGE NEW LIFE FIND FRESH INSIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD CAPTIVATE LISTENERS WITH RELEVANT ILLUSTRATIONS STRUCTURE SOUND SERMON MANUSCRIPTS AND MUCH MORE Sermonic Connection provides pastors and ministers the tools needed to develop sermons with movement and deliver them with spiritual authority. It will challenge you to be the preaching conduit that connects the pulpit and the pews with God, forging new shape and meaning to life today. The Kingdom of God is at hand and we cannot afford to gamble with cliches, misinterpretations and pulpit antics. It's time to get wired and make the connection today.

Includes personal profiles methods for effective sermon writing and suggestions for improving the speaker-audience connection.