Southeastern professor makes e-book available as preaching resource

by Lauren Crane

Individuals and groups alike can easily obtain a resource to help them prepare biblically faithful messages, thanks to Southeastern professor Wayne McDill.

McDill, who began working at Southeastern in 1989, released a 20-chapter workbook as a resource for people who need assistance in developing solid sermons and messages. Preparing Bible Messages contains 20 lessons on teaching and preaching Biblically-faithful messages. The book is available, in its entirety, online for free download through McDill’s website, www.waynemcdill.net.

“I wrote Preparing Bible Messages to address a need for a simple manual for expository preaching for bivocational church planters,” McDill said. The book, originally written and distributed in English, was then released in Spanish in 2006.

Since the Spanish release, the book has also begun to be translated into Swahili, a task which is nearly done, said McDill. Additionally, McDill said he knows it is being downloaded and used in numerous countries around the world.

“The book has been used by a number of missionaries and short term missions leaders in Asia, Latin America, and Africa,” McDill said. This includes examples in Malaysia, the Philippines, Kenya and Mexico, he said.

Furthermore, the chapters have been used widely in the United States. Since its release in 2003, the manuscript has been downloaded over 2,000 times. The Spanish version has been downloaded over 400 times since 2005, when it was released. This is easily accomplished due to the fact that the book is entirely in an online, printable format. Each chapter is sectioned as a separate download so pastors, missionaries and others are able to easily and effectively download the manuscripts.

McDill said the concept grew out of talking with those who work in international missions.

“Missionaries from various international fields told me that the local preachers have little idea how to preach from the Bible. Chronological Bible storying is effective, but the church planter or pastor needs to teach the Bible to his people in a systematic way as well,” McDill said.

Each chapter contains narrative lessons as well as lesson exercises. The book is divided into sections that are ordered as one would go through preparing a sermon or message. Some of the topics include “Finding the Action Words,” “Listing Bible Themes,” “Limiting the Subject” and “Calling for Change,” among others.