The Local Preachers' Studies Board and the Local Preachers' Committee of the Methodist Church are grateful to Richard G. Jones for writing Groundwork of Worship and Preaching, the text-book authorized by the methodist Conference for local preachers on trial studying for Connexional Examination in Worship and Preaching. It is hoped that the book will also be of use to lay preachers in the United Reformed Church, and indeed to anyone with an interest in this field. The author has been advised by the members of the Worship and Preaching Panel of the Local Preachers Studies Board, to whom thanks are also due.