Evangelistic Preaching. By Alan Walker. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Francis Asbury Press, Zondervan, 1988. 110 pages. Paper, $6.95.  

Alan Walker is director of world evangelism for the World Methodist Council. His serving as a missionary and evangelist who has preached in sixty nations provides him a wealth of experience from which to draw the contents of this book.  

The format of the volume is a logical progression from the definition of evangelistic preaching to the contents of the message of evangelism to a discussion of the personal and social dimensions of the Gospel. Chapters on the art of sermon construction, the uniqueness of the moment of proclamation, and importance of preaching for a verdict develop a method for incorporating the contents of chapters one through three. The final chapter stresses the spiritual preparation necessary for the preacher who preaches evangelistic sermons. An appendix includes two evangelistic sermons.  

This is a good review of the basics of preaching, informed by two more recent emphases: preaching in the context of worship and the spiritual condition of the preacher. Walker’s greatest contribution is his chapter on spiritual preparation. Also significant is his attempt to help the preacher with the task of preaching to today’s complex society. He wrestles with the difficulty of preaching for a verdict and appealing for public commitment. This volume offers help to the busy pastor and would serve as a good basic text for a course in evangelistic preaching.