Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons That Connect

by Peter Jonker

The preachers’ words are meant to connect, to resonate with and influence hearers. Too often, sermons fall short. Preaching in Using Images for Sermons that Connect shows how to choose, use, and illustrate a controlling image in every sermon.
Readers learn how one effective image can cause the proclaimed word to
sink in and transform the listener. Peter Jonker helps readers to build
skill and confidence, with practical instruction, examples, and
straightforward teaching.

“Good
preaching isn’t just the dissemination of information; it is a conduit
of Spirit-empowered formation. Such formative preaching doesn’t convince
the intellect; it captures the imagination. A controlling image has the
power to do just this—to capture the imagination. Peter Jonker invites
preachers to understand and to effectively use controlling images for
formation of the hearer. This great book is erudite and accessible,
theoretically grounded and yet intensely practical, complete with
exercises. I’ll be pointing preachers to it from now on.” --James K.A. Smith, author of Desiring the Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation
“Preaching in Pictures opened eyes of my imagination. I can’t wait to write my next sermon.” --Heidi DeJonge Pastor, Westside Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Kingston, Ontario

“Peter
Jonker offers preachers practical ways to connect the gospel in the
hearts of listeners, with a wealth of helpful examples. This is a fresh
and welcome perspective, just the book for preachers whose sermons have
reached their shelf life and are in need of new energy.” --John Michael
Rottman, Professor of Preaching Calvin Theological Seminary

“Sane,
balanced, assured--but also strikingly insightful--Peter Jonker's
writing is a sheer gift to anyone interested in eventful
preaching. Every page is worth pondering. Jonker writes with great
verve and authority.” --Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., Author of Reading for The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets, and Journalists

150 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2015

Reviews

[Bruce Coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

greatness

This book does something that no other preaching book I’ve found does. That alone should make it worth five stars.

[John Medendorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eminently readable as well as practical, good guidance from someone who knows the weekly assault of Sundays! Jonker explores the helpful use of a central guiding image in writing and structuring sermons, with attention to current scholarship on the ability of images to move and form people's imaginations and desires, and practical exercises to help preachers draw a central image from the preaching text itself. Drawing insights from homiletics, social sciences, psychology, marketing and advertising, and philosophy, Jonker's first book will be a great help for pastors and preachers.
One thing that I particularly appreciated was his use of other people's sermons to demonstrate his point, showing that a central image is not simply a staple of his preaching, but of great sermons by great preachers around the world. Highly recommended.