Preaching with Spiritual Vigour: Including Lessons from the the Life and Practice of Richard Baxter

By Murray Capill

Two trends are to be avoided in preaching. On the one hand a subjectivism and entertainment orientation for the crutch of popularity: on the other an intellectualism, a zimmer frame encouraging impressions of depth and thoughtfulness. We need guidance and help for our preaching that doesn't send us skittering down the road of the latest fad adapted from the world.

Richard Baxter is regarded as one of the Christian church's models of pastoral practice, many books have been written about his pastoral skills and methods to aid the modern pastor, but Baxter was also an effective preacher. It is one of the reasons why his ministry showed that spark of vitality that changed his surrounding community for the better.

Murray Capill set out to discover Baxter's secret. From a thorough study of Baxter's preaching ministry he has constructed a useful framework for us to follow.

Not theoretical or historical in orientation, it seeks to inspire and assist pastors to greater preaching vitality.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1857928571
• ISBN13: 9781857928570
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Mentor
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

A Fresh Old Look at Preaching

For many years I made it a habit of reading at least one book every year on the subject of preaching. I started this early in my pastoral ministry and I have 15 books on my shelf that are on this topic. A few years ago I couldn't bring myself to buy another book about preaching. I would go to Lifeway or Mardel and peruse the shelves looking from something fresh that would either give me new insight or inspiration into the work of preaching the gospel only to find it was the same ideas rehashed. It seems a lot of thought was put into the titles of many of the books I found on preaching. I almost bought several books based only on the cover art and title, but I kept making the mistake of opening them to the table of contents. Well, this year I did buy a book on preaching. To be frank, I had to force myself to read it. I took it with me on a trip to India. I knew the plane ride would be long and boring and it would force me into the book. So I forced myself to start reading it, but I didn't have to make myself finish it. Once I started finishing wasn't a problem. "Preaching with Spiritual Vigour" (my spell check wants me to believe I'm spelling Vigour incorrectly and I am for an American, but this is an Englishman's book so vigour works) is not just about the skill of biblical oratory. That is what makes the book fresh. It almost seems odd calling it fresh since the author's primary source for this book is the writing and ministry of Richard Baxter. Baxter's most famous work, "Reformed Pastor" is one of my favorite books and the inspiration for much of what Capill writes about preaching in this work. What makes Capill's book fresh and new is the approach he takes to the subject of preaching. He demonstrates how preaching is not only about study and oratorical skills, but about the life, spirituality and heart of the pastor. There is too much good material in the book to condense it down in this review, but let me point out some of what I feel are the highlights. Capill makes the strong point that what is needed is spiritual fervor and depth. Too much preaching is cold and mechanical. The common answer is to run to another conference or seminar or read another book or watch a new video series. "The one thing most necessary - a revitalized communion with the Lord - is the thing most easily neglected. Anything else, however, is but a short-term remedy." Capill also draws upon Baxter for insight into the necessity for a pastor to not only know the Bible, but to know his people. The sermon has power in the lives of people when it is applied to their specific situations. Baxter saw the pulpit as the place to give godly instruction and counsel. The book does delve into form and structure of a sermon, but not in great detail. It shows Baxter's method of giving the teachings or doctrines of a text, showing the validity of these truths and explaining them from scripture, and then applying these truths to the lives and hea