REVIEW: Small Preaching

I want to become a better preacher.

Most preachers are aware of their personal quirks and deficiencies to overcome. Like Paul, we are looking to the Lord that “words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). And yet, this ought not to create passivity in the preacher. Trusting in the Lord, there are small ways we can actively strive to improve our ministry.

Dr. Jonathan T. Pennington, scholar-preacher, has written a book on exactly this. Small Preaching is appropriately small – a mere 119 pages, but even the size communicates its aim: “25 Little Things You Can Do Now to Become a Better Preacher.”

Pennington isn’t trying to say everything about preaching in this book – he happily leaves that to other books on preaching and homiletics seminary courses. Instead, he focuses on giving his readers some very specific and practical ideas to improve their preaching.

In his introduction he says:

“How does lasting change come about in diet and exercise or aquiring a new skill? Through taking small steps in the same direction over time. This book does not promise that if you just do this one thing, then your preaching will be magically different, the preaching version of hiring the $200 million slugger or the 7’2″ center. Instead I offer you here some small ideas that can have big consequences if you play the long and methodical game with sincerity and intentionality.”

Pennington, Small Preaching, p. 3

Like any good preacher, Pennington has divided the chapters under three main headings, alliterated with the letter P: the Person of the Preacher, the Preparation for Preaching, and the Practice of Preaching.

The Person of the Preacher deals with the spirit in which we endeavour to preach God’s word. How do you respond when someone thanks you and gives you praise for the sermon you preached? Or what about when someone gives you valid criticism? Is there perhaps an subconscious tendency in us to think we need to be God’s lawyer, when really we are called to be his witness? And though all preaching involves teaching, how should the preacher understand the overlap and distinctions? In this section, practical advice is offered to give the reader a sharper purpose of preaching, and humble happiness no matter what response he receives.

The Preparation for Preaching was the most helpful section of the book for me. Pennington stresses the real importance of writing out your sermon in a full manuscript (full sentences and paragraphs), regardless of what you take into the pulpit. In his view, “writing is thinking” (p. 40). By writing the sermon out, it gives the preacher more ability to reflect and refine the logic and articulation of the sermon. But what’s more, Pennington encourages preachers to try doing “snack writing” throughout the week. Popping quick thoughts and reflections into an app or notepad throughout the week keeps things fresh and provides the preacher with a mountain of insights and reflection once it comes time to compile everything into the finished form. Oh, and do you ever think “This sermon stinks?” as you’re preparing it? Pennington does too, and he helps us understand why.

The Practice of Preaching is the longest section of the book with 10 chapters. The most helpful chapters to me were about the first minute of the sermon and the last minute of the sermon. These chapters contain very practical and immediately applicable tips for improving the sermon. Having a punchy and engaging introduction memorized can really help grab the attention of your people and sets the stage for the rest of the sermon. Then thinking about concluding thoughts, we must grapple with skillfully landing that 747 of a sermon. The first and last 60 seconds of the sermon are important and deserve our prayerful consideration.

Overall, this is an excellent book from Dr. Pennington. The chapters are succinctly and warmly written, making it very readable. I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I’ve already incorporated many of his ideas into my own preaching and teaching. These small steps are already making a big impact, and I am grateful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book by Lexham Press in exchange for an unbiased review.