Series Information
In the Company of Preachers is a preaching resource brought to you by
the Center for Biblical Preaching and Luther Productions at Luther
Seminary. This quarterly collection of sermons offers preachers both a continuing education element and an invitation to be renewed in their own faith and ministry through the preaching of others.
Luther Seminary biblical preaching faculty and guests provide teaching comments, paired with sermons that reflect the theme. All of the sermons were preached during Luther Seminary's daily worship in the Chapel of the Incarnation.
Through Jan. 2012, the Center offered subscriptions at this site. We have decided to suspend production of this resource for the foreseeable future.
Please browse our collection of back issues. We hope they will bless you in your proclamation of the Word.
FREE Introductory Issue (April 2007) - top
In this introductory issue, you will hear Luther Seminary preaching professor David Lose reflect on the importance of giving one's very best to the preaching task. His comments are followed by three sermons that, in very different ways, reflect on preaching - from Barbara Brown Taylor, James Limburg, and David Lose. You will also get a preview of upcoming issues of In the Company of Preachers. This is a free download! Just add it to your shopping cart and check out.
Opening the Sermon (July 2007) - top
This
first edition of “In the Company of Preachers” explores the importance
of opening a sermon well. These opening moments of a sermon are a
critical time of first impressions: you have the opportunity to gain a
hearing from your listeners, engage their imaginations, and enlist them
as active participants in the sermon.
Join Luther Seminary
homiletics professors David Lose and Carol Miles as they explore how
opening the sermon is distinct from simply introducing the sermon.
Preaching the Old Testament (Oct 2007) - top
Why
do we preach on the Old Testament less frequently than the New? What
discourages us from drawing on its riches for our task of proclamation?
The Old Testament needs to be shared from the pulpit, for it is a vital
piece of the story that tells us who we are and who God is.
Join OT
professors Fred Gaiser and Rolf Jacobson in conversation with homiletics
professors David Lose and Carol Miles as they explore this topic of preaching
the Old Testament and offer sermons from this rich part of Scripture.
Closing the Sermon (Jan 2008) - top
While is important to start a sermon well, a good beginning doesn't amount to much if you don't finish what you began. And yet the sermon's closing is decidedly different from a conclusion or summary that wraps up a matter. Preachers should not expect to have the last word - for we preach a living word that extends beyond the preaching moment. The best sermon closings bring the sermon to a clear stopping place, while inviting the hearers to finish the sermon in their lives as God's people in the world.
Telling the Story (April 2008) - top
The
biblical writers knew how to tell stories - stories that are effective
literarily and rhetorically and are deeply important theologically. As
preachers we might forget the power of these stories because we know
them so well - and have since Sunday School - but for some in the pew
these biblical stories are unfamiliar.
The preacher's
challenge is to hear these texts anew and retell the story with fresh
insight and energy. Close reading of the biblical texts - paying
attention to the details, fleshing the story out - opens up new doors
for the preacher.
Preaching the Law (July 2008) - top
The law-gospel distinction is at the core of the Lutheran understanding of theology, Scripture, and preaching. But what do we really mean by “preaching the law”? Join Rolf Jacobson and David Lose as they explore preaching the law as an act of telling the truth.
Preaching the Gospel (October 2008) - top
All preaching should be about the gospel, right? Yes, but there's more to it than that. Join Rolf Jacobson and David Lose explore preaching the gospel as a second – and vital – kind of truth-telling in the sermon.
Preaching Difficult Texts (January 2009) - top
Let's admit it – some texts are just plain hard. Join several biblical and preaching faculty talk honestly about the challenges and opportunities of preaching difficult texts.
Preaching the Parables (April 2009) - top
"The kingdom of God is like...." Parables offer rich and imaginative insights into the kingdom Jesus preached. To preach them faithfully, however, we need to avoid making them into simplistic analogies or fables. Join a conversation about strategies for bringing Jesus' parables to life in the sermon.
The Bible in Proclamation (July 2009) - top
How do we use our sermons to speak about the Scriptures in a way that opens up the Word to our hearers?
How do we teach a Reformation-centered understanding of biblical authority through our preaching? Join a
lively conversation about the Bible in proclamation.
Preaching to the Next Generation (October 2009) - top
Every generation is different, but the changes in our world recently have made the newest generation far different than any other in history. Be a part of our conversation as we discuss what it might look like to adapt our preaching to meet the needs of these new hearers.
Preaching Lent (January 2010) - top
Lent is one of the most important seasons of the church year, yet preachers struggle with ways to make it new and meaningful for their congregation. Join David Lose, Karoline Lewis and Matt Skinner as they explore the Biblical texts for Lent and how to make it fresh.
Where Do Good Sermons Come From? (April 2010) - top
Join Karoline Lewis, David Lose, Matt Skinner and Mary Shore for a roundtable discussion on the question: Where do good sermons come from? Then listen to sermons by Anna Carter Florence, Thomas Long, Matt Skinner and Karoline Lewis.
The Effective Use of Story (July 2010) - top
Join Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Rolf Jacobson for a roundtable discussion on the effective use of story in preaching. Listen to sermons by David Tiede, Gloria Roach Thomas, Karoline Lewis and Rolf Jacobson and spark your preaching imagination.
Preaching Stewardship (October 2010) - top
Join Rolf Jacobson, Eric Barreto and Mary Sue Dreier for a roundtable discussion on preaching stewardship. Sermons by Gary Langness, Glenn Taibl and Tania Haber will prime the pump for your sermon preparation as you consider this perennial topic.
Preaching the Resurrection (January 2011) - top
Join Craig Koester, Karoline Lewis and David Lose for a roundtable discussion on preaching the resurrection. Listen to sermons by Craig Koester, Karoline Lewis, David Tiede and Mary Hinkle Shore for fresh insights on how to preach the resurrection.
Preaching and Imagination (June 2011) - top
Join Mary Hinkle Shore, Karoline Lewis and David Lose for a roundtable discussion on preaching and imagination. Listen to sermons by David Lose, Steve Paulson, Karoline Lewis and Mary Hinkle Shore and be inspired to take your sermons in new, imaginative directions.
Preaching Advent (November 2011) - top
Join Karoline Lewis, Dirk Lange and Sarah Henrich for a conversation on preaching Advent. Listen to sermons on Advent texts by Marc Kolden, Nancy Koester, James Boyce and Kathryn Schifferdecker.
Preaching on the Edge (January 2012) - top
The Winter 2012 issue features a conversation on the topic of preaching on the edge with Profs. David Lose, Karoline Lewis and Mary Hinkle Shore. Following the roundtable discussion are sermons preached at the 2011 Celebration of Biblical Preaching, delivered in the Chapel of the Incarnation at Luther Seminary.
