Table of Contents

Foreword by Libby Lane vii

Introduction xv

1. What is Preaching? 1

2. Finding My Voice 16

3. Silencing Women: A Silencing Culture 41

4. Hearing Women’s Faith 76

5. Hearing Bible Women 106

6. Sermons for Women 129

7. Preaching as a Woman 152

8. Preaching Women 166

Bibliography 169

Index of Names and Subjects 175

About the Author

Liz Shercliff is Director of Studies for Readers in the Diocese of Chester. She is a member of the Executive of the College of Preachers and an Associate of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity’s Imagine project. She writes regularly in The Preacher magazine. The Rt Revd Libby Lane is Bishop of Derby.

Reviews

'Not least among Liz Shercliff’s achievements in this fine book on preaching is to be reminded that ‘vocation’ and ‘voice’ are rooted in living bodies responding to God’s call. What I found especially impressive is Shercliff's patient, determined and gritty interrogation of the patriarchal effects which work to limit women’s voices in the pulpit and her determination to re-envision the preacher’s work in response. This, then, is not a comfortable book. However, it is a necessary one. It acknowledges the cost and character required for women to find, in their bodies and stories, the hope, fierceness and passion to sing God’s wondrous story in fresh ways.'
*Rachel Mann*

'Fast-paced, forthright and spirited, this book is a page-turner! Liz Shercliff draws on her own considerable experience of preaching and wide-ranging research and reading in biblical hermeneutics, feminist theology, spirituality and faith development to protest women’s invisibility in much Christian preaching and to show what it can mean to bring women’s bodies, stories and lives into conversation with Christian faith. Novice and experienced preachers alike will find much here to stimulate and challenge their preaching.'
*Nicola Slee*