Another important work in homiletics that was re-released this year is As One Without Authority (Chalice Press) by Fred Craddock. When this book first appeared three decades ago, it helped lead a major shift in homiletical thought and introduced the phrase "inductive preaching" into the language of American preaching. Much of the conversation and debate in preaching over the past generation was launched by this volume and the books which followed and engaged it. Now revised and with new sermons included, those who are serious about understanding the homiletical scene will want to take advantage of this opportunity to understand Craddock's contribution (and challenge) to our work.

Those who have heard Craddock preach know that the stories he weaves are a "secret weapon" of his preaching. Now Mike Graves and Richard Ward have compiled Craddock Stories (Chalice Press), a collection of more than 200 stories that Craddock tells, based on his own life and ministry. Even those who don't follow Craddock's preaching model will thoroughly enjoy the winsome and insightful stories in this collection. These illustrations are destined to find homes in thousands of sermons in the years ahead!

A number of new volumes in homiletics deal with special topics in preaching. For example, Scott M. Gibson of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has written Preaching for Special Services (Baker Books), a helpful volume which offers insights on preaching at special events such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and so on. This book will be of value to students as well as experienced ministers.

Preaching and Practical Ministry (Chalice Press) by Ronald J. Allen considers the role and relationship of preaching within the wider context of pastoral ministry. Allen -- who teaches preaching and New Testament at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis -- explores preaching as it relates to Christian education, pastoral care, administration, evangelism, and spiritual formation, and considers how preaching can strengthen our ministry in other areas.

Preaching Autobiography (ACU Press) is a significant volume released as part of the Rochester College Lectures on Preaching Series. The book is edited by David Fleer of Rochester College and Dave Bland of Harding Graduate School of Religion, and includes a series of essays which wrestle with the question: what role should the preacher himself play in the sermon? How do we walk the "fine line ... between preaching Christ and parading ourselves," as Will Willimon so eloquently poses the question in the foreword to this excellent volume. This useful volume offers a variety of insights on these and related questions.

Another excellent title that has just been released is The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative (Baker) by Steven D. Mathewson. The book includes three major sections: a hermeneutical discussion of how to study Old Testament narrative texts; a homiletical approach to taking such texts and developing strong sermons; and a collection of model sermons from Haddon Robinson, Don Sunukjian, Alice Matthews, Paul Borden, and one of the author's own sermons. This volume will be of real value to preachers who want to be faithful to the biblical text while also creating sermons that are interesting and relevant to contemporary hearers.