Minister's Manual
Since 1925,The Minister's Manualhas been a resource for  preaching and worship for lay leaders, choir directors, Sunday school teachers,  and, of course, pastors. James W. Cox, editor since 1984 and senior professor at  the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, understands that "even the most  original preachers ... have often needed the flame of someone else's thought to  light their own candle." This exhaustive, nondenominational resource not only  contains prayers for every occasion but also uses quotations, questions to  prompt unbelievers, biblical benedictions, and blessings, along with messages  ranging from communion services to children's sermons. Sermons for every Sunday  of the year are also included, aimed not at constituting a yearlong worship  program but at addressing topics specific to Sunday and seasons throughout the  year. In this section, a lectionary message is followed by numerous  illustrations, scripture references, sermon suggestions, congregational music  selections, worship aids (call to worship, invocation), and an entire sermon to  prompt individual thinking. Cox insists that this tool is not meant as a  substitute for one's own study but merely serves as the starter fluid for the  fire that will reflect one's own signature teaching. Quickly becoming known as  the standard by which all other preaching annuals are measured, the 2001  edition's original material makes it a useful addition to even the busiest  bookshelf.--Jill Heatherly--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.