Preparing the Next Generation to Preach
For Dr. Matthew Kim, professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership and director of the PhD in Preaching Program at Truett, preaching is more than delivering a sermon. It is an opportunity to communicate the triune God’s Word to God’s people for the purpose of life transformation and Christlikeness. That conviction has led Kim to write Ready to Preach: An Introduction to Homiletics, a textbook releasing this September.
Drawing from more than 27 years of preaching practice and scholarship, Kim was tasked by Baker Academic to address several gaps he has observed in traditional introductions to preaching. Among them, he identified the need for a stronger theological foundation, the doctrine of the Trinity and providing a Trinitarian framework for preaching, cultural exegesis, discipleship, integrity and holiness, and greater attention to the spiritual and pastoral tasks of preaching.
The result is what Kim describes as a “next generation” preaching textbook, centered on a Trinitarian approach to preaching that intentionally recognizing the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the preaching task.
“I want to elevate and include each person of the Trinity in some tangible way so that listeners will not be spiritually malnourished,” said Kim.
The book is designed primarily for beginning preaching students, but Kim also envisions it serving experienced pastors, occasional and lay preachers, and those who teach the Bible. In that way, Ready to Preach extends beyond the seminary classroom, offering a resource that can also be used to train pastors and preachers within local congregations.
Several portions of the book represent particularly important additions to the field. Part one establishes the theological foundation for preaching and introduces the practices of a Trinitarian hermeneutic and homiletic. Later sections turn toward the cultural and spiritual dimensions of sermon preparation, including understanding listeners, discipleship, the gospel, empathy, integrity and prayer.
For Kim, this work is closely connected to his ministry at Truett Seminary and his leadership of the PhD in Preaching Program.
“As director of the program, I am continuously seeking to augment my scholarship to connect more engagingly and relevantly with students in the classroom. I want to prepare my students to go out and be the most effective pastors and preachers they can be in the local church.”
After decades devoted to pastoring, preaching and scholarship, Kim sees the book as both a culmination of his work and an offering to the wider church.
“I have given my adult life to the task of pastoring God's people and preaching God's Word. This book is a culmination of over 27 years of preaching practice and scholarship. It is my humble gift to the world which I hope will bless many churches across North America and hopefully around the world.”
For Kim, the future of preaching is bright.
“I believe our best preaching days are ahead,” he writes, envisioning preaching that is Trinitarian, gospel-rich, grace-filled, disciple-oriented, kingdom-focused and God-exalting.