Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons That Connect (The Artistry of Preaching)

The preachers' words are meant to connect, to resonate with and influence hearers. Too often, sermons fall short. Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons that Connect shows how to choose, use, and illustrate a controlling image in every sermon. Readers learn how one effective image can cause the proclaimed word to sink in and transform the listener. Peter Jonker helps readers to build skill and confidence, with practical instruction, examples, and straightforward teaching. "Good preaching isn't just the dissemination of information; it is a conduit of Spirit-empowered formation. Such formative preaching doesn't convince the intellect; it captures the imagination. A controlling image has the power to do just this—to capture the imagination. Peter Jonker invites preachers to understand and to effectively use controlling images for formation of the hearer. This great book is erudite and accessible, theoretically grounded and yet intensely practical, complete with exercises. I'll be pointing preachers to it from now on." —James K.A. Smith, author of Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation "Preaching in Pictures opened eyes of my imagination. I can't wait to write my next sermon." —Heidi DeJonge Pastor, Westside Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Kingston, Ontario "Peter Jonker offers preachers practical ways to connect the gospel in the hearts of listeners, with a wealth of helpful examples. This is a fresh and welcome perspective, just the book for preachers whose sermons have reached their shelf life and are in need of new energy." —John Michael Rottman, Professor of Preaching Calvin Theological Seminary "Sane, balanced, assured—but also strikingly insightful—Peter Jonker's writing is a sheer gift to anyone interested in eventful preaching. Every page is worth pondering. Jonker writes with great verve and authority." —Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., Author of Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets, and Journalists

The preachers’ words are meant to connect, to resonate with and influence hearers. Too often, sermons fall short. Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons that Connect shows how to choose, use, and illustrate a controlling image in every sermon.
Readers learn how one effective image can cause the proclaimed word to
sink in and transform the listener. Peter Jonker helps readers to build
skill and confidence, with practical instruction, examples, and
straightforward teaching.

“Good
preaching isn’t just the dissemination of information; it is a conduit
of Spirit-empowered formation. Such formative preaching doesn’t convince
the intellect; it captures the imagination. A controlling image has the
power to do just this—to capture the imagination. Peter Jonker invites
preachers to understand and to effectively use controlling images for
formation of the hearer. This great book is erudite and accessible,
theoretically grounded and yet intensely practical, complete with
exercises. I’ll be pointing preachers to it from now on.” --James K.A. Smith, author of Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation
“Preaching in Pictures opened eyes of my imagination. I can’t wait to write my next sermon.” --Heidi DeJonge Pastor, Westside Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Kingston, Ontario

“Peter
Jonker offers preachers practical ways to connect the gospel in the
hearts of listeners, with a wealth of helpful examples. This is a fresh
and welcome perspective, just the book for preachers whose sermons have
reached their shelf life and are in need of new energy.” --John Michael
Rottman, Professor of Preaching Calvin Theological Seminary

“Sane,
balanced, assured--but also strikingly insightful--Peter Jonker's
writing is a sheer gift to anyone interested in eventful
preaching. Every page is worth pondering. Jonker writes with great
verve and authority.” --Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., Author of Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets, and Journalists

The Preacher's Words Are Meant To Connect, To Resonate With And Influence Hearers. Too Often, Sermons Fall Short. Preaching In Pictures : Using Images For Sermons That Connect Shows How To Choose, Use, And Illustrate A Controlling Image In Every Sermon. Readers Learn How One Effective Image Can Cause The Proclaimed Word To Sink In And Transform The Listener. Peter Jonker Helps Readers Build Skills And Confidence With Practical Instruction, Examples, And Straighforward Teaching. --from Publisher's Description. The Controlling Image -- Controlling Images: A Field Study -- What Preachers Can Learn From Poets -- Learning From Marketers And Visual Artists -- How To Find A Controlling Image -- Sermons And Image On Screens. Peter Jonker. Includes Bibliographical References.

Doing justice to the complexity of the preaching task and the questions that underlie it, Wilson organizes both the preparation and the content of the sermon around its "four pages." Each "page" addresses a different theological and creative component of what happens in any sermon. Page One presents the trouble or conflict that takes place in or that underscores the biblical text itself. Page Two looks at similar conflict--sin or brokenness--in our own time. Page Three returns to the Bible to identify where God is at work in or behind the text--in other words, to discover the good news. Page Four points to God at work in our world, particularly in relation to the situations described in Page Two.