Book excerpt: This ethics of preaching text identifies vices of irresponsible preaching practices. Preachers who fail to develop deep respect for their listeners or drift into a lack faithfulness to the Gospel can end up becoming: · The Pretender (The Problem of In-authenticity) · The Egoist (The Problem of Self-absorption) · The Manipulator (The Problem of Greediness) · The Panderer (The Problem of Trendiness) · The Crusader (The Problem of Exploitation) · The Demagogue (The Problem of Self-righteousness) Just as the church historically derived its Seven Holy Virtues (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, & humility) by naming Seven Deadly Sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, & pride), Reid and Hogan call preachers to turn away from pulpit vices and strive to realize the homiletic virtues of becoming: · Authentic (The Call to Be Genuine) · Altruistic (The Call to Be Selfless) · Careful (The Call to Exercise Self-Control) · Passionate (The Call to Be Honest to God) · Courteous (The Call to Woo a Reasoned Reception) · A ‘Namer’ of God (The Call to Reveal an Ineffable God) The Six Deadly Sins of Preaching explores the difference between the irresponsible practices, unfortunate missteps, and mere unthinking mistakes in preaching. A chapter is devoted to Preaching Missteps (problems that do not rise to the level of being irresponsible) that includes: · Short Changing the Process · Waving a Red Flag · Thou Shall Not Bore the Congregation · Through the Looking Glass Darkly · The Mumbler · TMI—Too Much Information · Your Cup Do Runneth Over · Where’s This Sermon Going, Anyway?