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Books for Pastors: Worship and Preaching

Posted on December 18, 2023December 12, 2023 by ptsblog
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“What are some books that every pastor should read?”

PTS faculty were asked this question in spring 2023. Consider these 15 recommendations for worship and preaching:

Worship

  • Lisa Nichols Hickman, The Worshiping Life: Meditations on the Order of Worship
  • Melva Costen, African American Christian Worship 2nd Edition
  • Lawrence Hull Stookey, Calendar: Christ’s Time for the Church
  • Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

History of Worship

  • Josef Jungman, The Early Liturgy (history of liturgy)
  • Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy (sacramental theology)

Preaching

  • Tom Long, The Witness of Preaching
  • Donna Giver-Johnston, For Every Matter Under Heaven: Preaching on Special Occasions
  • Otis Moss III, Blue Note Preaching in a Post-Soul World: Finding Hope in an Age of Despair
  • Joni Sanken, Words That Heal: Preaching Hope to Wounded Souls
  • Leah Schade, Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red- Blue Divide
  • Nora Tubbs Tisdale, Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art
  • Nora Tubbs Tisdale, Prophetic Preaching
  • John Broadus, On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons Fourth Edition
  • James Forbes, The Holy Spirit and Preaching

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Founded in 1794, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offering master's and doctor of ministry degrees as well as certificate programs. Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

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