Spirit Empowered Preaching: Involving the Holy Spirit in Your Ministry (Mentor) [Paperback]

Azurdia Arturo G. III (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mentor | Publication Date: May 3, 1999

One of the great dangers that faces today's preachers is the problem of an over intellectual approach. Careful, meditative and painstaking exegesis brings a potential liability, that of losing the vitality, which must accompany exposition.

The Puritans called it 'that certain unction', Martyn Lloyd-Jones called it 'an access of power', others have called it 'the anointing'. If you desire that your preaching be lifted up to a position in which you are being used by the Spirit as a channel, then Arturo Azurdia can help you.

The insights in this book are gained from Art's careful study and practical experiences of being used by the Holy Spirit in his ministry.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Arturo G. Azurdia III is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology/Director of Pastoral Mentoring at Western Seminary, Portland Oregon. He was minister of a church for more than 10 years. He is married to Lori and they have 2 children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mentor (May 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857924134
• ISBN-13: 978-1857924138
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost Complete..., January 3, 2008

By 

Seth McBee (Maple Valley, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirit Empowered Preaching: Involving the Holy Spirit in Your Ministry (Mentor) (Paperback)

Arturo Azurdia's book, Spirit Empowered Preaching, is one that you can tell is written by one that is both learned and learning this thesis that he has set forth. This I find to be something I enjoyed as I read. I have mixed feelings on the book, as I did like the information put forth, but felt as something was missing and yet I am not sure what it was.

What Dr. Azurdia's book is centered around is really the operation of the Spirit in the life of the pastor and in the Spirit's role when pointing to Christ. Dr. Azurdia shows this in many ways, whether it is through the prayer of the preacher to preaching Christ in the Old Testament. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the continual reliance on quotes from other notable pastors and their thoughts on the different subjects that were brought up.

In the end, I think the reason that I felt like it came up a little short is because I believe that Dr. Azurdia tried to cover too much, so when the reader was done with the book it is like getting nailed with a fire hose. I might just think that it came up short because it was more theology than practice, so I was waiting for Dr. Azurdia to say, "here is what I do." But, it didn't come to that. I could also be taking this from too much of an elementary look at this book and not at a book where its intent is not application or orthopraxy but merely orthodoxy. Nevertheless, I believe the strongest part of the book was when he set forth the ministry of the Spirit and why He is here for us. I strongly encourage reading the book for that alone. Either way, I felt like the book could have really used some practical thoughts on the subjects set forth.

There are some great reminders in the book, and it isn't that I wouldn't recommend the book, but I just found myself ready for more, but it never came. I strongly recommend to listen to Dr. Azurdia's preaching because the application of this book is found in his preaching, I just wish he could have put that down in words. If one wants a great practical book on this same matter I would encourage one to take a look at "Preaching that Changes Lives" by Michael Fabarez

Don't skip this book on this review though, pick it up and glean from this great pastor, his thoughts on preaching and the Spirit, and you will definitely get great things out of it. Recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Pneumatology of Preaching, April 11, 2008

By 

Mitch "Soli Deo gloria" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spirit Empowered Preaching: Involving the Holy Spirit in Your Ministry (Mentor) (Paperback)

Spirit Empowered Preaching is a wonderful book. But to understand its value, you must know what it is not. It is not a step-by-step guide to writing a sermon. It is not a manual on going from the biblical text to exegesis to application. It is an excellent study on the Spirit's work in Preaching.

It seems his main premise is that the special presence of the Spirit mentioned in various places throughout the New Testament is manifested in the Bold and effective (though not attractive cf 1Cor 1 & 2) proclamation of the gospel. This is an irreplacable tool in the toolbox of the preacher of the gospel. I give it my highest recommendation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Single Best Book I have ever read on Preaching!, July 15, 2008

By 

Stephen Willcox (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirit Empowered Preaching: Involving the Holy Spirit in Your Ministry (Mentor) (Paperback)

This book is the single best book I have read on preaching. But the blessing from this book doesn't end there. I could recommend this book to any Christian because it will teach alot of things concerning the relationship of the believer to the Holy Spirit. It also shows what a congregation should be looking for in a pastor's preaching and how to help him! An Amazing book and the best book I have read this year (And I have read over fifty so that is saying something)!