Author: Administrador

Three small boys in a poverty section of town are standing in front of a grocery store talking vigorously, gesticulating with their arms. Then all three enter the grocery.One goes to one side of the store and the other two go to the other side of the store. A few minutes elapse, then a loud … Continue reading “Authentic Preaching vs. Clever Manipulation (Fourth in a Five-Part Series)”

Most of us preachers were trained to preach within a parish setting, and that continues to be the predominant location for most Christian preaching — but not all.Despite our training, many of us find ourselves in other ministerial settings which may require different homiletical skills and understandings — hospital, campus, and military chaplaincy, for instance. … Continue reading “Preaching within Institutional Settings”

If it’s good enough for Pepsi, it’s good enough for old First Church.Consumer brands — like Coke and Pepsi — have discovered the power of celebrity endorsements. Millions of gallons of cola are sold on the basis of which star lends his or her reflected glory to one brand name or another.Just look at Pepsi. … Continue reading “Can you endorse this idea?”

Although ministers have varied jobs to perform, nothing holds greater priority than the call to preach.Fortunate, indeed, are those churches with shepherds who recognize and accept the importance of the centrality of preaching as a means of saving the lost, nurturing and inspiring the saved, and providing preventive maintenance against apostasy. Well-fed, stable, biblically literate … Continue reading “Spirit-Anointed Preaching”

One of my wife’s hobbies is nutrition. For years she has been studying the matter and is thoroughly convinced that it’s the key to good health. One word that is very prominent in her nutritional vocabulary is “balance.”I hear her speaking about a good balance between breakfast, lunch and supper. She insists on a healthy … Continue reading “The Preacher’s Balancing Act”

We get the word “narcissism” from Greek mythology. Narcissus was an extremely handsome young man. Echo fell desperately in love with him. He ignored her and broke her heart, yet she continued to love him.Their relationship was made nearly impossible because the gods had willed it that he could hear only the last two words … Continue reading “Authentic Preaching vs. Homiletical Narcissism (Fifth in a Five-Part Series)”

R. W. Dale was born in London and attended with his parents Moorfields Tabernacle which had once echoed to the ringing voice of George Whitfield.He became a school teacher at the early age of 14. It was at that age he read John Angell James’ book, Anxious Enquirer After Salvation, little aware that within a … Continue reading “Robert William Dale Interpreter of evangelical truth”

Every preacher should be required to stay home and watch Oprah occasionally.During a recent afternoon, my wife was watching Oprah’s talk show on television and I couldn’t resist stopping to take a look. The queen-bee of TV talk shows had twenty non-married Alaskan men on the program, and they were getting the opportunity to ask … Continue reading “Oprah and the video call”

Preaching can become arduous. There are times when, with all the varied responsibilities of weekday parish duties, Sunday arrives suddenly and it is time once again to deliver a message.One of the ways I have discovered (through more than four decades of preaching) to alleviate some of the pressure is to periodically deliver a series … Continue reading “The Sermon Series Aids in Preparation and Illustration”

Early in my preaching apprenticeship I dreamed once of walking into the sanctuary just as a worship service was beginning. The pulpit was turned around, and empty wooden shelves were exposed to the congregation. Probably I don’t need to add that I found myself half-naked — and minus my sermon notes. I don’t remember now … Continue reading “From Praying to Proclaiming The Lectio Divina in Sermon Formation”