Author: Administrador

When it comes to the Bible, people can be awfully funny.I heard recently about an American church group that was interested in funding a seminary in Russia, helping to train future ministers. Everything was going well until the Americans made it plain that they would only provide funding if the seminary used the King James … Continue reading “Maybe the Czar Jakob Version”

Shortly after I arrived at my first pastorate in rural Minnesota, I realized I faced an interesting challenge. The farmers in my congregation had a difficult time staying awake during the sermon, especially in the winter time. Up early for chores, frost-bitten by frigid winds, they found sleep hard to resist in the warmth and … Continue reading “Imagine That!”

Books are at the heart of the preacher’s craft, every bit as much as the carpenter’s tools or the surgeon’s instruments. Good preachers love books; no matter how much time they have for reading, they always lament the lack of enough time for their books.Central to any preaching library is the Bible, The Book. Most … Continue reading “Books and The Book: 1994 Survey of Bibles and Bible Reference”

The Bethlehem CandleThe Bethlehem candle urges us to the place where the Promised One was born:Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.It reminds us of the promise which He brought with Him to that place:For unto us a Child is born, … Continue reading “Responsive Readings for Advent”

In an election year it doesn’t take a political analyst to recognize the tensions between opposing parties. Republican or Democrat? A choice must be made, unless of course the choice is for the independent candidate. In recent years, more than ever, that has has been a real possibility.In preaching circles there are tensions as well … Continue reading “Using the Split-Sermon Model”

(Ed Young is senior pastor of one of America’s largest and fastest-growing congregations, the Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. Located on a large, contemporary campus in suburban Houston — featured in a full-page illustration in USA Today — the church offers a model of reaching and involving young and median adults. Young is seen … Continue reading “Preaching in a Changing Culture: An Interview with Ed Young”

Charles Simeon was born in 1759, the youngest son of a Reading lawyer. After spending twelve years at Eton, he went on to King’s College, Cambridge, in January 1779. After only three days in residence he received the provost’s usual summons to attend Holy Communion, a duty he could not avoid but which he felt … Continue reading “Charles Simeon: Preaching to Exalt the Savior, Promote Holiness”

Calvin Miller has been called the “poet laureate” of American evangelicalism, Known to many through his poetry and other literature, Miller is also an accomplished preacher. During his tenure as pastor of Omaha’s Westside Church, he led the small church’s growth to more than 7,000 members. Now he serves as Writer-in-Residence and Professor of Communication … Continue reading “The Empowered Communicator: An Interview with Calvin Miller”

It is the beginning of a new year, with all that represents: new sermon series; starting a new calendar; remembering to write “95” instead of “94.”A new year is a time to look forward, at all the potential the new year holds. That’s why we make new year’s resolutions — January brings a feeling of … Continue reading “Looking Forward, Looking Back”

There is a scene in a Peter De-Vries novel where a lecturer is giving a dull and boring address on, of all things, humor. One of his listeners rises mischievously from the crowd, walks up to the podium, and hits the learned one in the face — with a recipe for custard pie.This to me … Continue reading “Preaching to the Left Brain”