Preaching With Spiritual Vigour: Including lessons from the the Life and practice of Richard Baxter

by Murray Capill

Two trends are to be avoided in preaching. On the one hand a subjectivism and entertainment orientation for the crutch of popularity: on the other an intellectualism, a zimmer frame encouraging impressions of depth and thoughtfulness. We need guidance and help for our preaching that doesn't send us skittering down the road of the latest fad adapted from the world.

Richard Baxter is regarded as one of the Christian church's models of pastoral practice, many books have been written about his pastoral skills and methods to aid the modern pastor, but Baxter was also an effective preacher. It is one of the reasons why his ministry showed that spark of vitality that changed his surrounding community for the better.

Murray Capill set out to discover Baxter's secret. From a thorough study of Baxter's preaching ministry he has constructed a useful framework for us to follow.

Not theoretical or historical in orientation, it seeks to inspire and assist pastors to greater preaching vitality.

248 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2003

About the author

Murray is originally from New Zealand where he pastored a church in Auckland for 10 years. He came to Australia in 2001 to teach part-time at Reformed Theological College Victoria and continue in pastoral ministry. Since 2006 he has taught practical theology full-time and in 2008 he became the Principal of RTC. He is the author of Preaching with Spiritual Vigour (2004) and The Heart is the Target (2014). Murray is married to Wendy and they have five children and one grandchild.

Reviews

[Joe Cassada]

Tremendous book. It took me awhile to finish simply because, after a period of neglect, I would restart the book. I did this three times, read it halfway, and then restarted it. It was worth it. In the book, Capill gives us Baxter in a contemporary perspective. If your a Richard Baxter fan, this book needs a spot on your shelf. A wonderful treatment of the intersection of pastoral ministry and expository preaching.

Preachers need to read this. Carefully. And then go read Baxter.

[Daniel]

Really good. Although at times pages became mostly quotations from Baxter.