'Jim Schmitmeyer's Preacher in a Hard Hat is a well-written book that comes directly out of the everyday life of his parish. His use of metaphor and image are especially striking. This book deserves a careful reading by those who face real-life congregations Sunday after Sunday.'
-Tex Sample, Author of The Spectacle of Worship in a Wired World

'What a wise book! Pastor-preacher James Schmitmeyer takes us 'into the field' where homilies are harvested from the seed of God's Word meeting the soil of people's lives.'
-James A Wallace, Professor of Preaching, Washington Theological Union and President of the Academy of Homiletics

'Fr. Schmitmeyer shares some of the practical and creative ways he involves his parishioners-and their everyday lives-in the art of effective preaching.'
-Susan McGurgan, Director, Lay Pastoral Ministry Program, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, The Athenaeum of Ohio

'The typical person who comes to a church on Sunday morning expects the preacher to make connections made between the Scriptures proclaimed and his or her day-to-day activity. Jim Schmitmeyer's reflections and examples masterfully do just this.'
-Bishop Michael Warfel, Diocese of Juneau, Alaska