Author: Administrador

In the book This Odd and Wondrous Calling (Wm. B. Eerdmans), Martin B. Copenhaver notes that people in ministry are likely to face lots of criticism and have to learn to deal with that reality. He writes: “Often it is not about me. I am — and need to be — a relatively safe place … Continue reading “Dealing with Criticism”

In the March-April issue of Preaching, we will be recognizing the 25 most important books on preaching of the last quarter century. These should be books that deal significantly with the call, task, art, methods and/or goals of preaching. If you’d like to suggest a book that should be included, send your nominations to michael@preaching.com. … Continue reading “Nominate Best Books, Most Influential Preachers”

In an article for LeadershipJournal.net, Dave Stone writes: “To keep Christ at the center, we must remember why we do what we do. In the midst of the pressure of sermon prep, sometimes I have to pause and reflect on my calling. I often think back to a summer camp during my sophomore year of … Continue reading “Remember Your Calling”

How do we who call ourselves followers of the Lord of life respond to the chilling report that “40,000 bodies have been buried and there could be 200,000 dead in Haiti”? That paralyzing news is what we heard from the report of Shepherd Smith of Fox News on this date.[1] The earthquake in Haiti that … Continue reading “Give us Faith So We’ll Be Safe: A Theological and Pastoral Response to the Tragedy in Haiti”

Is your church planning a 2010 Super Bowl party? If so, you’ll want to pay attention to the following, which appears on ChurchRelevance.com: Be sure that your church Super Bowl party is legal. In recent years, the NFL has become very protective of its copyright of all things Super Bowl. Fortunately, The Church Law Group has put … Continue reading “Rules for Church Super Bowl Party”

As I looked across the table, the seven students selected for my interview looked a little nervous. I could tell they were apprehensive about the questions they might be asked by the Church Doctor and his associate. Little did they know this is my favorite part of all the interviews we conduct during a church … Continue reading “Connecting with High School Students: Practical Tips for Preaching to Young Adults”

When W.A. Criswell—a man who would one day become one of America’s most successful preachers—was a young boy growing up in the northwest corner of the Texas panhandle, he began to feel stirrings in his soul about the call to the ministry. His parents were conflicted, with mother concerned about the boy’s prospects for material … Continue reading “A Tale of Two Preachers”

The year 2009 ended with the unveiling of the Nook, the new e-reader from Barnes & Noble. It joins the Kindle, the now-dominant e-reader from Amazon.com. Thus, an inordinate amount of attention was directed to the entire question of the future of the book. On one hand, the growing popularity of e-readers and the digital … Continue reading “The Year’s Best: Our Annual Survey of the Past Year’s Best Books for Preachers”

Some things we learn only by experience! I never will forget the pain, but far more important, I will never forget the lessons. The memory of a broken heart can remain for a lifetime, but the things we learn in the University of Hard Knocks are good for eternity. The possibility of ever totally forgetting … Continue reading “Graduating from Hard Knock U!”

Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice by Bryan Chapell (Baker Academic) The Case for Books: Past, Present and Future by Robert Darnton  (Public Affairs) Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck  (Moody Publishers) Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church … Continue reading “Ten Books Every Preacher Should Read in 2010”