What can sustain a church's growth over a lengthy period of time, especially across a change in senior pastors? Long, successful pastrotes are customarily followed by brief, unhappy ones, and then by a period of stagnation and even decline. Carver McGriff and Kent Millard, successive pastors of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, demonstrate how a theologically and socially progressive church can be faithful to its particular character and still experience significant, sustained numerical growth.

This provocative, creative work is certain to spark meaningful discussion and impassioned living among its readers and those who come in contact with them. McGriff's profound lite experiences show in his ability to tackle (in a firm, sensitive manner) such issues as divorce, homosexuality, and inclusive language, as well as family life, the divinity of Jesus, and miracles. Unafraid to take a controversial stance, McGriff fills this book with fascinating and challenging reflections.

McGriff provides outstanding tools for preachers with timely and thought-provoking research on lectionary texts. Included for each Sunday and major festival in the church year is:
-- A listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts.
-- Commentary that is more than academic exegesis -- McGriff brings to the forefront items that poignantly relate to contemporary reality.
-- A prayer for the day.
-- Suggested sermon titles for each text.
-- Themes and suggested directions for preaching.
-- Several additional illustrations to enliven...

E. Carver McGriff provides some of the most timely and thought-provoking research on the lectionary texts ever made available.Included for each scriptural lesson in the lectionary are:
-- A listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts.
-- A description of the Psalm of the day.
-- A prayer for the day.
-- Commentary that is more than academic exegesis -- McGriff brings to the forefront those points in the text that relate most poignantly to our contemporary reality.
-- Suggested sermon titles for each of the three texts for each...

I would like to enter a partnership with you, sharing what these assigned passages say to me, setting forth what I might do with each assigned text, hopefully igniting ideas in your busy and at times overburdened mind and spirit, so that together we may bring that word from the Lord. ... My hope is not to take the work entirely out of sermon preparation, but to generate a process whereby the busy -- sometimes overworked -- preacher can get off to a running start.

"Through the many years that McGriff served St. Luke's, his messages addressed people's everyday lives and never failed to touch their hearts in a meaningful way. Perhaps that is why this church experienced such growth in membership during his tenure."
Indianapolis" Business Journal"
How does he deliver, week after week, an interesting, appropriate message and never use notes? "I speak in stories," McGriff said in an interview.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church grew to well over 4,000 members with a Sunday worship attendance averaging almost 2,000 under the leadership of E....