Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists [Paperback]

Ken Untener (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999

Most homilists could do better, says the author. And he should know: despite extensive experience as both homilist and homiletics professor, for four years he's also participated in a sermon critique group. In the weekly group, the author and several other priests submit tapes and transcripts of their previous week's sermon to each other, to a journalist, and to a systematic theologian; then all meet to discuss what works, what doesn't, why, and how the homily can better become a part of the community's prayer. The result is this "nuts-and-bolts" book that shows how to make any sermon better. Practical and realistic, the book explains what a homily is and what it is not, how to prepare to write, how to begin and end sermons, how to use stories and props, how to preach about sin, and how to edit. The book also shares the moving testimony of what it means to be a bearer of God's word. Clear, simple and honest, Preaching Better is for preachers of all faiths, priests and ministers, seminarians, deacons, ministers-in-training, students of homiletics, parish staffs, liturgy- and homily-planning groups. It's also interesting reading for anyone who has ever wanted to know what goes on "behind the scenes" in the writing of a sermon.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is a compendium of tips for the Roman Catholic priest who must regularly give homilies. -- Homiletic

The book is easy to read and could help any veteran preacher do what the title says, preach better. -- Concordia Pulpit Resources

This book offers a tray full of goodies you can pick from--enjoy at least one a day. -- Catholic Library World

This is an experience-driven, hands-on, user-friendly guidebook for homilists. -- The Bible Today

Wow! That's the only way to react to Bishop Untener's book. --Pastoral Life

About the Author

A former professor of homiletics at St. John's Seminary near Detroit, Ken Untener is now bishop of Saginaw, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809138492
• ISBN-13: 978-0809138494
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Preach Buy This Book, February 23, 2001

By 

Peter Fennessy (Bloomfield Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists (Paperback)

If you belong to a tradition where a ten minute homily is more appreciated than a two hour one, you should buy this book. It belongs on the desk of every preacher And if you don't preach yourself consider sending it to your pastor, anonymously if need be. When Untener was assigned to teach homiletics at Saint John's Seminary near Detroit, he began to ask people what they liked and disliked about the homilies they heard. He collected thousands of comments and boiled these down to the 25 that are the heart of this book. Later, as bishop of Saginaw, he began the Saginaw Program: a series of very small groups where his priests and deacons could critique each other's homilies. All of his clergy eventually took part in one or another group, and he took part in them all. Such are the sources for this book. It is clear, concise, practical, impressive. It is short enough to be read at a sitting and important enough to be reread at least every year.. It is to preaching what Strunk's Elements of Style is to writing.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical is the word!, November 23, 1999

By 

Mary Ann, OP - See all my reviews

This review is from: Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists (Paperback)

This book is great for those just beginning to preach, those who have had a few classes in homiletics as well as for seasoned preachers. Bishop Untener, in concise, clear, and pointed terms, offers insights into every basic element of homily writing. Busy parish clergy and ministers will find this a great help for improving their preaching.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, practical and demandingly honest, November 9, 2002

By 

Philip Jones (Manchester, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists (Paperback)

Bishop Untener goes straight to the heart of what a preacher should be doing. He makes his readers take account of genuine feedback from 'folk in the pew' and offers practical solutions which respond to their comments but which also encourage the preacher to grow, develop and improve.

The material is set out in short punchy chapters which are easy to read but difficult to forget. Above all, the reader will come away sharing the author's deep admiration for the flow of God's Word through a well-prepared preacher in full control of a well-prepared homily.

This short book can upturn the bad habits of even the most experienced preacher and can teach the novice preacher some early profound principles. I cannot commend it too highly.