Author: Administrador

If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten. (Rudyard Kipling) Whenever we face a communication challenge, telling a story is a good option, and sometimes it is the very best option. My research suggests that there are five situations in which a ministry story (or parable) may be the … Continue reading “When a Story Is the Best Response”

I have decided that an intelligent parrot could be taught to preach. Oh, I will confess that I’ve never seen nor heard it happen, but I’ve seen and heard smart parrots do enough other things that teaching one to preach does not seem, at least to me, too much of a stretch. No, I’m not … Continue reading “Preaching Parrots”

There’s a new television program designed to make you feel dumber than you already felt. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the show is hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, who has made a living by describing how dumb he is – and he’s the one making fun of the contestants! The show is called “Are … Continue reading “Are You Smarter Than a Sunday School Teacher”

The demise of the book has been predicted for years now – its doom supposedly inevitable after the advent of the digital age. Well, someone forgot to tell the reading public in general, and preachers in particular, that the book is supposedly dead. Among preachers, the book is very much alive. This is for good … Continue reading “The Year’s Best Books for Preachers”

The kingdom of God is blaringly absent as the overarching theme of evangelical preaching. Preaching textbooks, preaching classes, and, worse yet, evangelical pulpits scarcely mention Scripture’s primary subject matter, the kingdom of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Theology classes usually teach kingdom doctrine, but preaching classes rarely discuss it.   Preaching textbooks are notorious for … Continue reading “Preaching the Kingdom of God”

April 16, 2007 was already a strange day in Blacksburg, Virginia. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blacksburg is accustomed to unusual weather patterns. But 35 degrees, snow flurries and 60 mph wind gusts are still odd for spring even in a town where the joke is, “If you don’t like our weather, wait an … Continue reading “Faith Among the Tears”

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the winners of the 2007 Christian Book Awards during the 2007 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Atlanta. In the Bible category, the winner was The Archaeological Study Bible NIV, (Zondervan, March 2006). This unique study Bible is filled with informative articles and full-color photographs that take readers … Continue reading “ECPA Announces 2007 Winner for Bible Study Resource”

Recently in reading the book of Acts, I was struck again by Stephen’s commanding and stirring address in chapter 7. Of the twelve messages in Acts (of which we probably do not have a complete account in any instance), none is in the context of a worshipping community. All but Paul’s address to the Ephesians … Continue reading “What was Stephen Thinking?”

N.T. Wright is the Bishop of Durham in the Church of England and one of the preeminent New Testament scholars writing today. Prior to his 2003 appointment as Bishop, he served as Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, and was canon theologian at Westminster Abbey. He is the author of more than 40 books, and is one … Continue reading “Preaching in a Changing Culture: An Interview with N.T. Wright”

Right under our noses a serious divorce is occurring. Preaching is separating from worship.   Over 1600 people attended the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One of its organizers said to me: “Do you know that we have over two hundred and fifty pastors here this year?” I asked whether this … Continue reading “Beware Tuneless Preaching”