By Ralphine Major

It is designed to “move the truths of God’s word from the Heart of Heaven to the hearts of humans.”  Mike Boyd’s “Principles of Preaching” was written primarily for those training to become pastors.  But, it is a handy resource for teachers, as well.  Even those of us not engaged in teaching or preaching can learn a great deal from this book.  Boyd certainly has the background to author such a tool.  He has spent 40 years in the ministry, but Mike also shares some early life experiences from the time he worked in business.

Miles “Mike” F. Boyd, Jr., earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  He has pastored churches in Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, has called him senior pastor for the past 17 years.  The story behind the book is fascinating.

The “Principles of Preaching” project was a joint effort with the J. Harold Smith Pastor Training Center.  J. Harold Smith was a household name that takes me back a few years.  Our mother would listen to him every morning as she drove to work.  According to his son, J. Donald Smith, the Radio Bible Hour was established as a Baptist Radio Ministry in 1935 by his father and provided the funds to start the Center.  He writes in the foreword:  “It had long been the God-inspired dream to establish a training program for bi-vocational pastors who could not afford either the time or money to pursue a full-time seminary education.”  More than 70% of the pastors in Tennessee work a secular job in addition to pastoring a church.

Dr. Boyd’s book has a layout that is easy to read, uses scripture that stands out on the page, and highlights key thoughts like “a God-called leader must learn before he can lead.”  Boyd’s book is a wealth of information for anyone who wants to learn.  (To be continued.)