Clayton J Schmit

Preaching from Inside the Story is a book that seeks to carve out an understanding of narrative preaching in an age where there is little agreement about its nature and practice. Capitalizing on the works of Craddock and Lowry, it seeks to find an expanded palette upon which the preacher may engage the larger canvas of narrative preaching. This book will engage the mind by introducing neuroscientific understandings of creativity; build upon the foundations of the philosophy of stories by engaging Aristotle's foundational understanding of narrative; and renew the Lowry Loop by expanding this seminal work and how it should be understood in our current culture. Preaching from Inside the Story breaks new ground by encouraging preachers to move inside stories and tell them from the inside out providing a positive effect, thereby affording non-narrative preachers to connect with storytelling principles. Ultimately, it is filled with examples of how to do narrative in a very practical way. However, in showing these practical examples, the reader is involved in a deep analysis of those narrative sermons and how they fit into an overall narrative understanding of preaching. In the final analysis, it invites the reader to take a fresh journey into narrative preaching.

Preaching from Inside the Story is a book that seeks to carve out an understanding of narrative preaching in an age where there is little agreement about its nature and practice. Capitalizing on the works of Craddock and Lowry, it seeks to find an expanded palette upon which the preacher may engage the larger canvas of narrative preaching. This book will engage the mind by introducing neuroscientific understandings of creativity; build upon the foundations of the philosophy of stories by engaging Aristotle's foundational understanding of narrative; and renew the Lowry Loop by expanding this seminal work and how it should be understood in our current culture. Preaching from Inside the Story breaks new ground by encouraging preachers to move inside stories and tell them from the inside out providing a positive effect, thereby affording non-narrative preachers to connect with storytelling principles. Ultimately, it is filled with examples of how to do narrative in a very practical way. However, in showing these practical examples, the reader is involved in a deep analysis of those narrative sermons and how they fit into an overall narrative understanding of preaching. In the final analysis, it invites the reader to take a fresh journey into narrative preaching.

The Teaching Hymnal: Ecumenical and Evangelical is a teaching resource that provides a new generation of worshipers the opportunity to draw upon the rich history of the use of hymns and hymnody in the church. It contains a body of hymns and worship songs, worship services and templates, material that explains the sources of hymns and songs, hymnal usage, the sources of historic prayers and worship texts, and it provides essays on worship planning and leading. It also contains a thorough glossary of worship terms. This is a complete guide to hymn usage and worship planning designed especially for use in seminaries and Christian colleges. Clayton J. Schmit, is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Stevens Point, WI. He was formerly Provost of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University. He is author of several books on worship and preaching, including Sent and Gathered: A Worship Manual for the Missional Church and co-author (with Lauralee Farrer) of Praying the Hours in Ordinary Life (Cascade Books).

The Teaching Hymnal: Ecumenical and Evangelical is a teaching resource that provides a new generation of worshipers the opportunity to draw upon the rich history of the use of hymns and hymnody in the church. It contains a body of hymns and worship songs, worship services and templates, material that explains the sources of hymns and songs, hymnal usage, the sources of historic prayers and worship texts, and it provides essays on worship planning and leading. It also contains a thorough glossary of worship terms. This is a complete guide to hymn usage and worship planning designed especially for use in seminaries and Christian colleges. Clayton J. Schmit, is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Stevens Point, WI. He was formerly Provost of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University. He is author of several books on worship and preaching, including Sent and Gathered: A Worship Manual for the Missional Church and co-author (with Lauralee Farrer) of Praying the Hours in Ordinary Life (Cascade Books).

Historic changes are occurring in the convergence of worship styles throughout the Christian church. Christians across the theological spectrum are seeking to learn from their own tradition's roots and from the liturgical expressions of believers in other times and places. Here worship expert Clayton Schmit examines worship in church settings around the globe and provides a practical manual for shaping liturgies that are informed by and relevant to contemporary missional contexts. The book broadens current ecumenical worship conversations, reveals insights drawn from the church at worship in the world, and argues for a common understanding of a theology of worship.

Exploring fundamental ways in which verbal expression in worship relates to aesthetic expression, Clayton Schmit provides a vitally important book for all homiletics students and scholars. Schmit explains that worship isn't just a sequence of "holy" words, and he reflects theologically on the relationship between verbal and aesthetic expression, demonstrating the aesthetic significance of verbal liturgical expression and the aesthetic responsibility of those who preach, pray, and lead in public worship.

The reading of Scripture holds a central place in Christian worship. Every week the Word of God becomes flesh again as the words of the biblical text are read aloud. Those who take on the responsibility of reading Scripture in public do so knowing its importance, but rarely having the chance to train in how to do it better. Most readers have never been given the opportunity to consider how each act of public reading of Scripture is an interpretation of the text, nor have they been given the tools for an effective and faithful reading performance. These are the tools that Clay Schmit seeks to offer in this practical guide to the public reading of Scripture. He begins with a brief overview of the meaning and importance of the spoken word in worship. He then goes on to provide practical, detailed instructions on how to understand the text for reading, practice reading it aloud with proper emphasis, and deliver it in such a way that it becomes alive to the congregation. The book concludes with several appendices, including a pronunciation guide for biblical words and an annotated bibliography that will point the reader in the direction of further study.