Author: Administrador

Ask many postmodern Christians what they think about the 17th century English Puritans, and the responses will vary from ‘Who?’ to ‘Oh, weren’t they the stuff-shirted killjoys who talked funny, dressed even funnier, and could have nothing in common with 3rd millennium believers?’ That was once my impression. After a B.A. in English Literature, an … Continue reading “Thomas Watson: Puritan Preacher & Theologian”

I do it to myself every time. I’m always saying, “I’ll never move again. With God as my witness, I’ll never go through this again.” Meanwhile, God looks on, chuckles, and starts counting the days till He has me reserved for a U-Haul.Here we go again. As I am writing these words in late January, … Continue reading “I’m Having a Moving Experience”

John Wesley once challenged preachers, “Either read or get out of the ministry.” I wonder when a circuit riding preacher like Wesley found the time to read, but I guess when his daily sermonizing ended he requested a bed with a candle placed nicely by his bedside for reading.Sven Birkerts declared in 1994 in his … Continue reading “How Reading Improves Your Preaching”

It was a balmy night. Though I arrived half an hour early, the parking lot was already full. I could not wait; this was an event that I had looked forward to for some time. In fact, I had looked forward to hearing him preach in person for what seemed like forever. I had read … Continue reading “Overcoming the Fear of Preaching Without Notes”

When preaching a parable, how does one move from text to sermon? How does a sermon evolve out of a biblical parable without simply reiterating the text itself? How do we listen to the text and preach it so that parishioners receive a fresh hearing of the Gospel?As we examine the biblical genre of parable, … Continue reading “Preaching Parables: The Question, the Quest, and the Discovery”

Janet Parshall is the host for Focus on the Family’s radio talk show for women, Renewing the Heart. Janet and her guests discuss issues important to women — with a straight-from-the-heart style.  Join us right after her Saturday program for a live Chat… straight from the heart. Saturday, Mar. 23 at 2 p.m. ET in … Continue reading “Renewing the Heart Chat”

Fritzpw_Admin says, Thank you for joining us tonight everyone. We’ve heard quite a bit of negative criticism surrounding Zondervan’s plan to release a new gender accurate Bible dubbed the Today’s New International Version. In our last Chat on this topic we welcomed Rev. Tim Bayly who pointed out numerous inaccurate translations of several Biblical passages. … Continue reading “TNIV in Focus”

Isn’t technology a wonderful thing? First digital cable, and now this: It seems a Canadian Pentecostal church has discovered a way to utilize the latest financial technology to create a whole new generation of card-swiping tithers.According to Christian Week Online (March 5, 2002), about 16 months ago the church installed a CIBC Interac machine (like … Continue reading “Praise the Lord and pass the debit card!”

The People of the VillageCatherine stands in the hallway just outside her room. She is rifling through the pages of her Bible looking for specific passages. She finds one, reads it, and tears the page out crumbling it in her hand and dropping it to the floor. She goes on to find another passage and … Continue reading “Preaching and the Mentally Ill”

A seminary student was reporting to his preaching professor on a sermon he would never forget. He had attended worship at a megachurch with an auditorium seating thousands. The latest in audio-visual technology was used in the service. The preacher’s face was projected on two giant screens on either side of the platform. A video … Continue reading “Low-Tech Preaching in a High-Tech Age”