Storytelling The Word: Homilies & How to Write Them (Book)
William J. Bausch, Author.  Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1996.

Using the formula, "Tell and Show," Father William Bausch lays out in two parts the art of using story in a sermon or homily. The first part explores the details and thinking around the sermon and the second gives the reader examples of sermons in which stories have been used.

Bausch starts by exploring generational listening patterns and how people hear differently at different times and ages. He then moves to those sitting in our pews and talks about addressing the topics they might need to hear. His suggestion is to craft sermons with various groups in mind. Bausch discusses ways to improve the sermon by using aural and visual tools and engaging the community listening to the sermon. The last chapters of this section examine the art of writing the sermon and present the case for using story in sermons.

One plus about this book is something that many people might skip over: the introduction. Here the author is self-revelatory in a helpful way. There are many aspects of life (both internal and external) that go into crafting the sermon and Bausch risks exposing his own struggles. This book helps those who write sermons and homilies to appreciate storytelling and use it more fully.

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