Reviewed Book: Brokhoff, John R. Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle B. Lima, Ohio: CSS Pub, 1993

Wehrfritz-Hanson, Julianna

English

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 21
Issue 2 Aspects of Ecumenity Article 24
11-1-1995
Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle B
Julianna Wehrfritz-Hanson
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Wehrfritz-Hanson, Julianna (1995) "Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle B," Consensus: Vol. 21 : Iss. 2 , Article 24.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol21/iss2/24
140 Consensus
Series IV, Cycle B Lectionary Preaching Workbook
John Brokhoff
Lima, Ohio: CSS Publishing Co., 1993
294 pp.
At the beginning of this book there is a brief introduction which touches
upon the history of the Revised Common Lectionary; also in Sections mark-
ing the beginning of each of the seasons in the church year is a 2 to 5 page
discussion about the meaning, observance, preaching goals and theology of
that period, which may be of some use to those unfamiliar with the church
year.
In an effort to be brief and to the point, Brokhoff ’s style seems dogmatic
in places. The use of sexist language in this book is offensive and impairs
its readability.
The week to week sections dealing with the assigned lections have a
defined format. Where there is a discrepancy between the designated texts
for a particular week, only the texts from the Common Lectionary are
utilized. The structure used to present the material for each Sunday begins
by listing the specific texts for the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran,
and Common Lectionaries, which is helpful in seeing where these agree
and differ. Then general background material for each of the three lessons
is provided, followed by the designated “Psalm of the Day”, the “Prayer
of the Day”, the “Theme of the Day” and a short description of how it
is addressed in the three lessons. After these are the longer sections on
“Theological Reflection” and “Preaching Possibilities”.
The section entitled “Theological Reflection” focuses on certain words
in the texts upon which the writer comments. “Preaching Possibilities” is
organized around a key statement or question followed by the subsection
defined by a “Need”, then an “Outline” of possible ideas to deal with the
“Statement” and “Need”. One text may have a series of these units.
The background material is very basic, particularly for those who have
been studying and working with the lectionary over a period of time. Those
who like to draw connections between the texts may find the “Theme of the
Day” part of the study to be of some interest and use. In the “Theological
Reflections” and the “Preaching Possibilities” sections there are some in-
teresting quotes included. However, as in the background material on the
lessons, Brokhoff includes material which is already well understood such
as an explanation on “Covenant” (pp. 109-110). Thus, one has to read
through a lot of material containing familiar information to discover the
thought-provoking gems that are included here and there.
While there are common threads running through the material concern-
ing each Sunday’s texts, nevertheless, this Preaching Workbook provides a
rather limited consideration of the texts. Rather than exploring a variety of
themes, directions, possibilities and responses which the scripture lessons
can provide for a thoughtful and probing reader, Brokhoff has focused on
Book Reviews 141
familiar understanding and repeats the themes and ideas in the various
sections of his presentation. Personally, I did not find this resource all that
helpful for sermon preparation.
Julianna Wehrfritz-Hanson
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church,
Calgary, Alberta
Dry Bones Live: Helping Congregations Discover New
Life
Robert H. Craig and Robert C. Worley
Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992
128 pp. $9.99 U.S.
Craig and Worley have completely revised their original work. Dry
Bones, Breathe (Chicago: Center for the Study of Church Organization
Behavior of McCormick Theological Seminary, 1978). They see a need for
members to be less passive, to see the congregation as “a covenant people
called by God to be actors in their faith communities and in the world”
(p. 2). Those who are leaders are to support this by having “a facili-
tating style or set of processes to help members live out commitments to
the church” (p. 2). One way of accomplishing this is through “transfor-
mational change theory”. “Values are applied to understanding, through
participatory processes, in order that constructive change may result. Such
activity is not merely rational but mobilizing, full of mandates that require
accountability” (p. 3).
What does this mean? In other words, the authors assert the usefulness
of questionnaires, or “survey instruments”, in the congregation as a means
of understanding and empowering mission, of revitalizing the church. To
this end, they study what role vision should play in ministry; the responsi-
bility of parish leadership in shaping the ministry of the congregation; and
the interaction necessary between the members and the leadership. They
provide examples of how to develop and use such surveys to aid the naming
of, and achieving, vision and mission.
One of the strengths of this book is that it not only examines setting
up initial surveys, but also shows how important it is to share the results
with the participants, and to work beyond the initial self-assessment to set
goals, train, obtain resources, evaluate progress, and refine ministry. We
are bombarded with questionnaires every day, and wonder if our answers
really make any difference. Craig and Worley demonstrate how to silence
these doubts, by keeping the leadership in constant communication with
the members. The writers offer a convincing argument that showing the
members that their opinions count will make them more active. This book


Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle B

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 21Issue 2 Aspects of Ecumenity Article 2411-1-1995Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle BJulianna Wehrfritz-HansonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationWehrfritz-Hanson, Julianna (1995) "Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle B," Consensus: Vol. 21 : Iss. 2 , Article 24.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol21/iss2/24140 ConsensusSeries IV, Cycle B Lectionary Preaching WorkbookJohn BrokhoffLima, Ohio: CSS Publishing Co., 1993294 pp.At the beginning of this book there is a brief introduction which touchesupon the history of the Revised Common Lectionary; also in Sections mark-ing the beginning of each of the seasons in the church year is a 2 to 5 pagediscussion about the meaning, observance, preaching goals and theology ofthat period, which may be of some use to those unfamiliar with the churchyear.In an effort to be brief and to the point, Brokhoff ’s style seems dogmaticin places. The use of sexist language in this book is offensive and impairsits readability.The week to week sections dealing with the assigned lections have adefined format. Where there is a discrepancy between the designated textsfor a particular week, only the texts from the Common Lectionary areutilized. The structure used to present the material for each Sunday beginsby listing the specific texts for the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran,and Common Lectionaries, which is helpful in seeing where these agreeand differ. Then general background material for each of the three lessonsis provided, followed by the designated “Psalm of the Day”, the “Prayerof the Day”, the “Theme of the Day” and a short description of how itis addressed in the three lessons. After these are the longer sections on“Theological Reflection” and “Preaching Possibilities”.The section entitled “Theological Reflection” focuses on certain wordsin the texts upon which the writer comments. “Preaching Possibilities” isorganized around a key statement or question followed by the subsectiondefined by a “Need”, then an “Outline” of possible ideas to deal with the“Statement” and “Need”. One text may have a series of these units.The background material is very basic, particularly for those who havebeen studying and working with the lectionary over a period of time. Thosewho like to draw connections between the texts may find the “Theme of theDay” part of the study to be of some interest and use. In the “TheologicalReflections” and the “Preaching Possibilities” sections there are some in-teresting quotes included. However, as in the background material on thelessons, Brokhoff includes material which is already well understood suchas an explanation on “Covenant” (pp. 109-110). Thus, one has to readthrough a lot of material containing familiar information to discover thethought-provoking gems that are included here and there.While there are common threads running through the material concern-ing each Sunday’s texts, nevertheless, this Preaching Workbook provides arather limited consideration of the texts. Rather than exploring a variety ofthemes, directions, possibilities and responses which the scripture lessonscan provide for a thoughtful and probing reader, Brokhoff has focused onBook Reviews 141familiar understanding and repeats the themes and ideas in the varioussections of his presentation. Personally, I did not find this resource all thathelpful for sermon preparation.Julianna Wehrfritz-HansonShepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church,Calgary, AlbertaDry Bones Live: Helping Congregations Discover NewLifeRobert H. Craig and Robert C. WorleyLouisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992128 pp. $9.99 U.S.Craig and Worley have completely revised their original work. DryBones, Breathe (Chicago: Center for the Study of Church OrganizationBehavior of McCormick Theological Seminary, 1978). They see a need formembers to be less passive, to see the congregation as “a covenant peoplecalled by God to be actors in their faith communities and in the world”(p. 2). Those who are leaders are to support this by having “a facili-tating style or set of processes to help members live out commitments tothe church” (p. 2). One way of accomplishing this is through “transfor-mational change theory”. “Values are applied to understanding, throughparticipatory processes, in order that constructive change may result. Suchactivity is not merely rational but mobilizing, full of mandates that requireaccountability” (p. 3).What does this mean? In other words, the authors assert the usefulnessof questionnaires, or “survey instruments”, in the congregation as a meansof understanding and empowering mission, of revitalizing the church. Tothis end, they study what role vision should play in ministry; the responsi-bility of parish leadership in shaping the ministry of the congregation; andthe interaction necessary between the members and the leadership. Theyprovide examples of how to develop and use such surveys to aid the namingof, and achieving, vision and mission.One of the strengths of this book is that it not only examines settingup initial surveys, but also shows how important it is to share the resultswith the participants, and to work beyond the initial self-assessment to setgoals, train, obtain resources, evaluate progress, and refine ministry. Weare bombarded with questionnaires every day, and wonder if our answersreally make any difference. Craig and Worley demonstrate how to silencethese doubts, by keeping the leadership in constant communication withthe members. The writers offer a convincing argument that showing themembers that their opinions count will make them more active. This book

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1684&amp;context=consensus

Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series 4: Cycle B

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Scholars Commons

Wilfrid Laurier University