Dear Preacher, Letters on Preaching: A Review

Rueda, Bryant. Dear Preacher, Letters on Preaching. Kindle Direct Publishing: Bryant Rueda, 2025.

In an era where the pulpit faces both unprecedented challenges and opportunities, Bryant Rueda’s Dear Preacher, Letters on Preaching emerges as a heartfelt contribution to the literature on homiletics. Published independently in 2025 as part of the Discipleship Series, this slender volume of 158 pages comprises 50 short letters written from the perspective of an older, seasoned preacher, bearing the name PulpitTape, to his younger, less experienced self. Modeled loosely on C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters and similar in style to Dear Timothy, published by Founders Press, Rueda’s work seeks to blend devotional warmth, theological insight, and practical wisdom for those called to proclaim God’s Word. The result is a book that is both inspiring and frustrating. It is rich in ambition yet constrained by its brevity. While Dear Preacher offers a treasure trove of perspectives on preaching and a robust bibliography to spur further study, its short chapters often feel like appetizers rather than the full meal aspiring or seasoned preachers might crave. Nevertheless, Rueda’s passion for the craft and his wide-ranging references make this a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their preaching ministry.

A Structure Inspired by Literary Giants

Rueda’s choice of an epistolary format immediately invites comparison to C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, where a senior demon corresponds with a junior one to instruct him in the art of temptation. Unlike Lewis’s satirical masterpiece, however, Dear Preacher adopts a more earnest tone, with PulpitTape offering sage advice to his younger self rather than devilish anti-advice. The influence of Dear Timothy, a pastoral mentorship text from Founders Press, also seems evident in the book’s warm, mentoring voice, as though Rueda is sitting across from the reader over coffee, sharing hard-won insights. This structure lends the book an intimate, conversational feel, making it accessible to both novice preachers and seasoned pastors looking for a devotional companion.

The 50 letters, each ranging from one to four pages, cover a wide array of topics, each framed as a distinct lens on preaching. Rueda explores preaching as Trinitarian, catechetical, apologetic, prophetic, and more, with titles like “Preaching as Stewardship” and “Preaching as Persuasion” signaling the book’s thematic breadth. This diversity is one of the book’s greatest strengths, as it invites readers to consider preaching not as a monolithic task but as a multifaceted calling that intersects with theology, culture, and pastoral care. For example, Letter 31 emphasizes Christ-centered preaching, urging preachers to anchor their sermons in the person and work of Jesus, while Letter 32 highlights preaching as persuasion, drawing on rhetorical principles to engage listeners effectively. These topics resonate deeply in a world where congregations are increasingly distracted and skeptical, needing both truth and winsomeness from the pulpit.

Strengths: A Kaleidoscope of Homiletical Insights

One of the most compelling aspects of Dear Preacher is its ability to distill complex homiletical concepts into digestible reflections. Rueda’s letters are designed to be read devotionally, perhaps one a day, making the book an ideal companion for a preacher’s morning quiet time. Each letter begins with a specific angle on preaching, often grounded in a quotation from a respected homiletician or theologian. Rueda’s reading is impressively broad, spanning classic works like D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s Preaching and Preachers, Haddon Robinson’s Biblical Preaching, and Charles Spurgeon’s writings, as well as lesser-known contemporary texts. This bibliographical richness, culminating in a bibliography of over 70 books, serves as a roadmap for preachers eager to deepen their study. As one reviewer noted, “the many quotations from these books whet one’s appetite for more of their contents and encourage further reading and study” (Found here).

Particularly noteworthy are the letters that tackle preaching’s apologetic and prophetic dimensions. In an age where secularism and pluralism challenge the church’s voice, Rueda’s emphasis on preaching as apologetic, defending the faith with clarity and conviction, feels especially timely. Similarly, the exploration of preaching as stewardship in Letter 19 calls pastors to remember that growth is not something that simply happens. These themes resonate with the biblical call to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2), and Rueda’s reflections offer practical encouragement for navigating these roles.

The book’s devotional tone is another strength, blending spiritual reflection with practical guidance. Letters like “Preaching as Shepherding” (Letter 11) and “Preaching as a Means of Grace” (Letter 5) remind preachers of the sacred privilege and responsibility of their calling. Rueda’s personal anecdotes, though sparing, add authenticity, as he writes as one who has wrestled with the demands of the pulpit. The letter on cultivating simplicity in preaching (Letter 36) is particularly compelling, urging preachers to avoid jargon and complexity in favor of clear, memorable communication. For young preachers, these letters serve as a gentle mentor, while for veterans, they offer a refreshing reminder of why they stepped into the pulpit in the first place.

Limitations: Brevity’s Double-Edged Sword

Despite its many strengths, Dear Preacher is not without its flaws, chief among them the brevity of its letters. While the short, digestible format makes the book approachable, it often leaves readers wanting more. Each letter introduces a fascinating topic but rarely, if ever, delves deeply enough to satisfy. At one to four pages, the chapters function more as conversation starters than comprehensive treatments, offering glimpses of insight rather than sustained exploration. For example, the letter on preaching as apologetic raises intriguing questions about engaging a post-Christian culture but stops short of providing any strategies or examples. Similarly, the discussion of prophetic preaching touches on the link between the Old Testament prophets and today's preachers, but only leaves the reader with "Study the prophets and allow their example to infuse your preaching with rhetorical creativity and love for God's covenant people" (p. 80).

This limitation is particularly evident when compared to the works Rueda references. Books like Lloyd-Jones’s Preaching and Preachers or Fred Craddock’s Preaching offer robust, systematic treatments of homiletics, whereas Dear Preacher feels more like a sampler platter. The self-published nature of the book occasionally shows in its prose, which can feel uneven or overly ambitious in its attempt to mimic Lewis’s wit. This misstep in framing could have been clarified with stronger editorial guidance.

A Bridge to Deeper Study

What redeems these shortcomings, however, is the book’s extensive engagement with other works on preaching. Rueda’s bibliography is a goldmine, citing both classic and obscure texts that invite readers to go further. For a young preacher or a busy pastor, this feature transforms Dear Preacher into a gateway to the broader world of homiletical scholarship. Each letter’s quotations, whether from William Perkins, John Broadus, or lesser-known modern authors, act as signposts, pointing readers toward deeper resources. In this sense, the book’s brevity becomes less a flaw and more a deliberate design choice, positioning it as an introductory text rather than a definitive one. As Rueda himself describes it, Dear Preacher is a “devotional and introductory book on preaching,” and it succeeds admirably in that role (p. 4). While I cannot recommend every resource and would recommend avoiding at least one of them, it is a fantastic list.

A Resource for the Faithful Preacher

In the final analysis, Dear Preacher, Letters on Preaching is a commendable effort to inspire and equip those called to the pulpit. It's 50 letters offer a kaleidoscope of perspectives, from the theological to the practical, making it a versatile resource for personal reflection or group study. Its devotional tone, combined with its nods to giants like Lewis, Perkins, and others, creates a warm, encouraging read that reminds preachers of the sacredness of their task. The book’s exploration of preaching as apologetic and expositional is particularly relevant, addressing the challenges of proclaiming truth in a skeptical age.

Yet, its brevity and occasional stylistic missteps prevent it from reaching the heights of the works it emulates. The short chapters, while accessible, often leave readers hungry for more substance, and the lack of editorial polish occasionally distracts from its message. Still, these limitations are mitigated by the book’s rich bibliography and its invitation to further study. For preachers willing to use Dear Preacher as a starting point rather than a destination, it offers a wealth of wisdom and inspiration.

In a world where preaching is both an art and a battle, Bryant Rueda’s Dear Preacher stands as a faithful companion, urging preachers to proclaim God’s Word with clarity, conviction, and compassion. It may not be the final word on homiletics, but it is a worthy beginning, pointing readers toward the “homiletical gold nuggets” (p.9) Rueda has unearthed and encouraging them to keep digging.

Soli Deo Gloria