The Ministers Manual 2008 Edition: The Ministers Complete Sourcebook

For more than eighty years, The Minister′s Manual has been the standard by which all other preaching annuals are measured. This year, a new design, revised content based on extensive market research, and a searchable CD–ROM make this non–denominational resource even more helpful to today’s busy pastor. The 2008 Minister’s Manual is still the comprehensive and traditional resource pastors have come to rely on, but now it has a more readable and attractive design and more practical and easy–to–use features. Turn to The Minister’s Manual for Complete sermons for the entire year Lectionary messages and worship aids to expand Sunday services Feature articles that speak to the hearts and minds of ministers A treasury of practical, contemporary, and relevant sermons illustrations A diverse group of contributors, a broad and contemporary range of illustrations and new and expanded preaching resources Children′s sermons, based on the lectionary texts, for engaging young minds Musical suggestions, based on the lectionary texts, for each week of the year Calendars of important historical, cultural, and religious anniversaries Eloquent and useful messages for holiday, funerals and bereavement, communions, and missions A free and searchable CD–ROM of the entire contents to aid in adapting and using material for sermons, bulletins, and other messages

PREFACE. SECTION I: GENERAL AIDS AND RESOURCES. Civil Year Calendars for 2008 and 2009. Church and Civic Calendar for 2008. The Revised Common Lectionary for 2008. Four–Year Church Calendar. Forty–Year Easter Calendar. Traditional Wedding Anniversary Identifications. Colors Appropriate for Days and Seasons. Flowers in Season Appropriate for Church Use. Quotable Quotes. Questions of Life and Religion. Biblical Benedictions and Blessings. SECTION II: LECTIONARY RESOURCES FOR 2008: SERMONS, ILLUSTRATIONS, CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC, CHILDREN’S SERMONS, WORSHIP AIDS. SECTION III: RESOURCES FOR PREACHING. Chapter One: Preaching Biblical Sermons: God’s Word for God’s World (Dr. Terry G. Carter, Vaught Professor of Christian Ministries, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas). Chapter Two: Preaching the Sermon on the Mount: The Upside–Down Kingdom (Dr. Danny M. West, Associate Professor Preaching and Pastoral Studies, M. Christopher White School of Divinity, Gardner–Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina) Chapter Three: Advent and Christmas Preaching: Personalities and Perspectives (Dr. Ronald D. Sisk, Academic Vice President and Dean; Professor of Homiletics and Christian Ministry, North American Baptist Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota). Chapter Four: Messages for Lent and Easter. Chapter Five: Messages for Communion Services. Chapter Six: Messages for Funerals and Bereavement. Chapter Seven: Messages for Evangelism and Missions. SECTION IV: A LITTLE TREASURY OF SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS. CONTRIBUTORS. INDEX OF CONTRIBUTORS. SERMON TITLE INDEX. INDEX OF SERMON TEXTS. INDEX OF PRAYERS. INDEX OF MATERIALS USEFUL AS CHILDREN’S STORIES AND SERMONS. INDEX OF MATERIALS USEFUL FOR SMALL GROUPS. TOPICAL INDEX. HOW TO USE THE CD–ROM.

Lee McGlone is senior pastor for the First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  He is a Ph.D. graduate of Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also taught adjunctively in the preaching department.  He was as adjunct professor at the North American Baptist Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and has served as a pastor for over thirty–five years. He has contributed to The Minister′s Manual and has been its indexer for many years.