Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice

— —

Leah D. Schade, Lexington Theological Sem Lisa L. Thompson

Preaching and Social Issues

Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice

Leah D. Schade, Lexington Theological Sem, Lisa L. Thompson

$129

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Rowman & Littlefield
03 December 2024

Christianity; Christian sermons; Christian social thought & activity

How can preachers address social issues in their sermons given the divisiveness and polarization in society and churches? Preaching Social Issues equips preachers to craft sermons that help congregations talk about topics of public concern based on a strong biblical foundation, solid theological claims, and prudent sermonic strategies. Informed by years of research and trainings with clergy and congregations, Rev. Dr. Leah Schade provides practical and pastoral guidance for preachers to find their prophetic voice for their own context with integrity and wisdom.

Preaching Social Issues also offers an assessment tool for gauging readers risk and capacity for preaching about social issues. Schade suggests three approaches to a sermon addressing a social issue: Gentle Prophet, Invitational Prophet, and Robust Prophet, based on the preacher’s vulnerability, characteristics of the congregation, and the quality of relationships between and among the congregation and preacher. The book includes strategies, tactics, and tips to support and equip preachers who choose to address social issues in their sermon, along with exercises and sermons and case studies that illustrate different approaches for preaching about contemporary topics.

By: Leah D. Schade Lexington Theological Sem
Foreword by: Lisa L. Thompson
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm,
ISBN: 9781538187609
ISBN 10: 1538187604
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 03 December 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade is the Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. An ordained Lutheran minister (ELCA) for more than twenty years, she has pastored three Pennsylvania congregations in suburban, urban, and rural contexts. Her book, Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), explores how clergy and congregations can address controversial social issues using nonpartisan, biblically-centered approaches and deliberative dialogue. She is also the author of Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit, as well as For the Beauty of the Earth, a Creation-centered Lenten devotional. She is co-editor and author with Margaret Bullitt-Jonas of Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), and co-author with Jerry Sumney of Apocalypse When?: A Guide to Interpreting and Preaching Apocalyptic Texts. She is the lead author, with Elizabeth Askew and Jerry Sumney, of Introduction to Preaching: Scripture, Theology, and Sermon Preparation(Rowman & Littlefield, 2023). Rev. Dr. Schade is also the EcoPreacher blogger for Patheos.

Reviews for Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice

Drawing from solid research, rich examples, and relevant sources across a variety of disciplines, Leah Schade offers a welcome set of tools and strategies for preaching about social justice across a wide range of congregational settings--as well as different preachers' own strengths and vulnerabilities. This wise and practical book should be at every preacher's right hand as we craft sermons that will speak the gospel wherever we are called to serve! --The Rev. Pamela Cooper-White, CB Johnson Professor Emerita of Psychology and Religion, Union Theological Seminary, New York Gospel-talk about social issues by pastors of congregations in a polarizing society requires consideration, study, and skill. Rev. Dr. Leah Schade presents Gentle, Invitational, and Robust options that allow preachers to bring a Christian heart and mind to the intersection of any congregation with society. Schade offers data about congregational life and shares the work of several scholars of social gospel preaching. I advise readers to put on an ecumenical hat and take time for careful study. --Rev. Gregory Heille, Aquinas Institute of Theology, editor of Preaching Racial Justice Many ingredients go into effective preaching on social issues: analyzing the issue, engaging in situational and congregational study, reading biblical and theological resources, deciding what ethical and homiletical approach to take, and consulting the helpful wisdom and model sermons of those who have gone before us. Leah Schade helps the reader gather all these ingredients in one accessible place. Preaching and Social Issues is a timely, wise, and immensely helpful book! --John S. McClure, Charles G. Finney Professor of Preaching and Worship, Vanderbilt Divinity School There are few voices with the moral clarity, spiritual depth, and profound insight of Leah Schade. Preaching and Social Issues is a must read for any who desires to speak to the prophetic urgency of our times. --Frank L. Thomas, Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary