the people While many books discuss bib techniques of sermon construction or methods of delivery tow concentrate on the everyday concerns of the individuals in the congregation Written by distinguished authors experienced in this field, these books address issues that are of abiding importance to today's Christians

Bringing together concern for the spiritual with concern for the here and now Ronald J Sider and Michael A King focus on preaching that is filled with mystery and that at the same time addresses the pain, poverty, injustice, environmental degradation, and violence that threaten the future of the world. Too many preachers, they believe. choose one dimension of the gospel message to the neglect of the other These authors illustrate how the two approaches can be integrated by giving examples of preaching on five key social issues-abortion, economic justice, human rights, the earth, and war and violence They emphasize that at the center of the Christian message is the story that gives meaning to existence In addition to demonstrating how to turn their approach into actual sermons, they explore the impact of the preacher's own social setting on the sermons he or she gives