Getting into Character: The Art of First-Person Narrative Preaching

by Stephen Chapin Garner

Every pastor desires to communicate in a fresh way, as evidenced by churches' increased use of new media--but can pastors show biblical stories? Pastor, actor, and playwright Stephen Chapin Garner's passion is teaching first-person narrative, in which the pastor takes on the voice of biblical characters. Getting into Character equips pastors to deliver dramatic, skillful sermons--without being an actor. "First-person narrative brings the characters of the Bible to life in ways that can illustrate gospel messages with extraordinary and memorable power," Garner writes. If pastors become too predictable, effectiveness is lost. Garner outlines pros and cons while advocating for stylistic balance. Getting into Character is helpful for pastors and seminary students looking to expand their styles and pastors who want to perfect narrative and storytelling.

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't plan to do a sermon exactly how Garner describes here, but there are some helpful and interesting tips, and some creative ways of engaging the homiletic form.

(original review from February 13, 2012)

Here is an example of my appreciation of a book increasing on a second read. I am doing one of my rare forays into first-person narrative preaching this Sunday and I thought I would look back at Garner and see what is helpful here and found quite a bit of good advice on how to choose a character and deliver a sermon in a winsome manner. The results may not be stellar but I don't blame him.

My first read through was a few years ago (the last time I did a sermon like this). I think I took what I could but thought a regular diet of these types of sermons seemed a bit gimmicky. I still think that and Garner agrees. This is a change-up pitch sort of sermon. A curve-ball.