Book: Higher than the Pew
Author: Ven Olugbenga Salako
Reviewer: Gbenga Osinaike
Higher than the Pews by Venerable Olugbenga Salako sets out to achieve one main objective: to equip preachers with an enduring tool that will not only help them stand with confidence behind the pulpit but also ensure their message makes the desired impact.
A foreword by the Anglican Bishop of Ijebu Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Peter Oludipe, helps to set the pace and prepare the mind of the reader for an encounter with the thoughts of the author.
In his brief note, Bishop Oludipe posits that the book carries within it a treasure that is of great value to “clergymen as well as postulants who are going through the process of ministry formation.”
As the reader journeys through the roughly 100-page book, what immediately draws attention are the systematic ways the author marshals his thesis on what preaching is all about.
While not neglecting the place of the Holy Spirit in preparing a life-changing sermon, the author carefully articulates a roadmap that can help enhance such preparedness.
The book gradually evolves into a momentum as you flip through the pages of nine chapters. It starts with a chapter that explains the term “homiletics” in layman’s language.
The author makes it clear from this chapter that a seminary degree alone does not qualify one to be a preacher; rather, it is the ability to hear from God what to preach per time.
The comparison of a preacher to a chef by the author is quite profound. He notes that just as a chef inquires from the master what to prepare for a meal, a priest should inquire from God what message to prepare for His children.
This, according to him, is important to avert spiritual malnutrition among God’s children. This makes it clear that the author did not just write a book on how to preach, but ialso probes into the heart of the preacher and the motivation for preaching.
He notes that what many preachers do is more of motivation rather than preaching.
The author wrote, “The church is the family and children of God. While God is the father the priest is God”s cook and chef. And it is very necessary that God’s cook asks from God what types of food combinations should be given to the children to avoid malnutrition.
“No cook can force the children of the master to eat what they do not want and would be praised and rewarded by the master.”
This introductory chapter is followed by eight other chapters. They are “Principles of Biblical Interpretation,” “Nature and Types of Sermon,” “The Nature of Preaching: Sermon’s Part and Focus.”
Other chapters are “Basic Elements of an Effective Sermon,” “Preparing for the Sermon and of the Sermon,” and “The Sermon & Its Structures.” Also included in the collection is a chapter titled “The Life of a Preacher,” which comes just before the reference page.
In all, the author is able to pass across some home truths to his colleagues in the pulpit ministry.
The beauty of the book lies in the author’s ability to source these insights from credible authorities. About 31 books, including online materials, were consulted to make the documentation a reality.
One of the striking commentaries appears in Chapter six of the book. Quoting an American preacher, Ven. Salako notes that, “It takes three men to preach a sermon: the physical man, the mental man, and the spiritual man.”
The chapter on the principles of biblical interpretation is another critical part of the book which addresses an area where many preachers usually don’t get right when exploring the Bible on the pulpit.
Many fall into the temptation of reading their own views and perspective into Bible stories. But the author in this chapter explains how best to dissect a Bible passage.
He urges that the preacher should allow the Bible to interpret itself. He also draws attention to the unique nature of the Bible, noting that it contains different types of literature.
These include the Pentateuch (the law), narrative segments, wisdom literature, poetry, the Gospels, parables, and apocalyptic literature. With this in mind, interpreting scriptures becomes a step easier.
Written in simple English, the author carefully unearths timeless instruments for a life-changing message.
However, he stresses that beyond applying the nuggets explored in the book, the life of the preacher is critical in preparing a good sermon.
indeed, the book is not only a guide for preparing a great sermon, but a practical workbook for any pulpit minister.
It is the go-to book for preachers who truly desire to impact their listeners.
The author, a former lecturer at the Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure is currently the Vicar of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ogbere in Ogun State..
He did not just write the theory of preaching. He wrote from a wealth of experience as a preacher himself and his long years of teaching homiletics at the seminary.
Preachers, seminarians, lay men and women will find this book very useful. They will do well to get a copy.
The author could be reached on +234 803 565 6188