Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers

Gordon, T. David

Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2009

This slender volume (108 pages) is a wonderful introduction to Reformed homiletics, and can be very useful for church planters, officer candidates, and core group members. It helpfully describes what a successful sermon should accomplish, and introduces basic standards of effective communication. Gordon begins with the simple premise that most preaching today is horribly ineffective, and calls the church to a higher standard. This volume also has a very useful discussion of why sermon reviews by elders are important and advice on how to conduct them.