The Ins and Outs of Preaching

The story of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland is so compelling that it has never been out of print. Carroll’s intriguing book touches on important themes that draw us into the world of homiletics in a similar fashion to how Alice is drawn into Wonderland.

The narrative nature of the Bible requires the use of imagination, curiosity, and creativity in exegeting the Scriptures. Any piece of literature that helps a preacher look at life from a more unique point of view or dares to imply that life is more complex than the simplistic, two-dimensional characterization we often present in our preaching is worth exploring. It is hard to find another author as enamored with creativity and imagination as much as Lewis Carroll.

We have all met and dealt with the strange characters of Wonderland—people whose views of life are shaped by time, strange priorities, anger, or confusion. Carroll explores the absurd nature of nonsense as a way to navigate the more difficult values of his life and times, presenting a different view of society from the one that dominated his world. In a similar vein, preachers offer a different worldview as an alternative to the way in which the world, society, and life are lived out in the present culture.

Great literature will form how you express what you know and learn, including how you express and think great thoughts about the Scriptures. With the help of Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, and other characters, The Ins and Outs of Preaching will help you form your vocabulary and expressive ability, with a specific focus on crafting your sermonic introductions and conclusions.

Jeffrey W. Frymire is the director of the James Earl Massey Center for Compelling Preaching at Anderson University. After pastoring for more than three decades in the Church of God (Anderson), he was accepted into the doctoral program at Fuller Theological Seminary.

After earning his PhD in Practical Theology with an Emphasis in Preaching, Dr. Frymire spent two years as a post-doctoral teaching fellow at Princeton Theological Seminary. He then was appointed the associate professor of preaching and dean of the chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando.

This is his third book, following Preaching the Story and Preaching from Inside the Story. He has been married to his wife, Joan, for more than fifty years and they have three sons (Doug, Jonathan, and Joel), all of whom are in ministry in the Church of God

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Drawing on his lifelong commitment to narrative preaching and Lewis Carroll’s classic fable, Jeff Frymire shows how sustained reflection on sermon introductions and conclusions leads preachers into the wonderland of proclamation’s deepest questions. With characteristic imagination and pragmatism, Frymire helps readers reflect on preaching’s deepest aims, never losing sight of the God who speaks our beginnings and holds our ends.

Jerusha Matsen Neal, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Duke Divinity School

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Overall, introductions and conclusions have not fared well in homiletics instruction. Often remanded to a single chapter, the instruction offered focuses on what not to do with little thought about how to actually engage our preaching participants. And yet, they are more than bookends to the sermon, as the introduction sets the stage for the entire sermon and the conclusion provides the sending word. Frymire delivers a much-needed missing piece of the homiletics library that is as instructive as it is fun to read. His exploration of introductions and conclusions is more than telling good stories; it is about creatively announcing the hope of the gospel! The King of Hearts advised Alice to “begin at the beginning, and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” With Frymire’s guidance, this also describes a sermon that God can use to powerfully transform lives.

Rob O’Lynn, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Bible Programs, Kentucky Christian University

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“Once upon a time...” and “...they lived happily ever after” are some of the most memorable words ever written. Dr. Jeff Frymire helps preachers understand them better and put them into practice in, of all places, their Sunday sermons—catching the ear, opening the heart, and summoning people to response. The power of introductions and conclusions will never be missed again thanks to this book. Read it, preachers, and put it into practice!

Steve Rennick, Colorado State Pastor, Church of God Reformation Movement

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In his distinct voice, Dr. Jeff Frymire nurtures creativity and imagination in the homiletical process and preaching moment through engagement with Alice in Wonderland. In his writing, Frymire does what he encourages preachers to do—be creative and paint the glory of the gospel with words. This book may be focused on the “ins and outs of preaching” but underneath, in between, and through its words, readers will sense and rediscover the joy and delight of preaching the Word.

Luke A. Powery, Dean of Chapel, Professor of Homiletics and African and African American Studies, Duke Divinity School