Matthew D. Kim: Preaching to People in Pain

Preaching to People in Pain: How Suffering Can Shape Your Sermons and Connect with Your Congregation
(Baker Academic, 2021)

WHO: Matthew Kim, the George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology, director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching and director of Mentored Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

HE SAYS: “Speaking on suffering regularly will contribute to increased vulnerability and congregational change.”

THE BIG IDEA: This book emboldens pastors to connect the pain in Scripture passages with the pain of their listeners.

THE PROGRESSION: Part 1 invites readers into an open discussion about the ways that pastors and parishioners suffer and experience pain. The author also presents a process for preaching on this pain.
In Part 2, the author explores six types of pain that listeners commonly harbor in their souls.

“Preaching on pain and suffering is very much an expression and outworking of lived theology.”

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Matthew Kim
Matthew Kim

Matthew D. Kim is the George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology, director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching, director of Mentored Ministry, and interim chair of the Division of Practical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including Preaching with Cultural Intelligence and Preaching to People in Pain.

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