Author: Administrador

The world was stunned when, on a recent Monday morning, Pope Benedict XVI resigned from the papacy. Notice that it was a Monday morning. I’m concerned that Monday mornings are when most pastors are tempted to resign. Nevertheless, the resignation of the 85-year-old pontiff creates a situation that hasn’t occurred in 600 years. We know … Continue reading “Back Page Pulpit: I’m Running for Pope”

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it,” said Henry Ford at the front edge of the Great Depression in 1929. Of course, we suspect that what Henry Ford really had in mind was productive thinking because all of us are thinking all the time … Continue reading “Preacher to Preacher: Thinking About Thinking!”

That violence could exist in a Christian home is abhorrent and counter-intuitive. That churches might be complicit in this violence by the manner of its preaching is unacceptable. The abhorrence of such violence would seem self-evident. It would seem reasonable to expect the gospel of peace that Jesus came to bring might mark the Christian … Continue reading “Preaching that Encourages Peace and Safety in the Christian Home”

An amateur is a person who does something simply for the love of the activity. An amateur photographer doesn’t think about selling his or her pictures, but is thrilled to be able to frame a moment and capture it forever in the click of a shutter. The amateur golfer doesn’t think of the money to … Continue reading “Preaching Points: The Amateur Preacher”

The past year neither set records for the number of books published on the topic of preaching, nor was it as strong a year as some. However, there were a few outstanding books on preaching that warrant serious attention. Our book of the year for 2012—a selection that will surprise some—is Andy Stanley’s Deep & … Continue reading “2013’s Best Books on Preaching”

Martin Luther encouraged the ministers of his time, saying, “Let us zealously hold to the [biblical] languages…The languages are the sheath in which the sword of the Spirit is contained.”1 While not all preachers have learned how to harvest rich insights from the Greek and Hebrew texts, those who have, should. Take advantage of your … Continue reading “If It’s Greek to You, Make It English to Them”

Because we spend so much time in our own facilities, we often fail to recognize problem areas in our church buildings—problems that are glaringly obvious to the first-time visitor. In an article for Baptist Press, Diana Davis writes: “Here’s a simple way to evaluate how guests see your church building. Take the 5-Spot Test. Stop at … Continue reading “How Do Guests See Your Church?”

In a recent post at his blog ThomRainer.com, Thom shares with pastoral candidates some key questions they should ask—questions that will help them get beneath the surface to better understand the real issues in that church. He writes: “While it’s common for candidates for a pastorate to ask questions, the nature of the questions often … Continue reading “What to Ask Before You Say ‘Yes’”

Perhaps one of the oldest and most vexing questions Christians must struggle with is: If God made everything and God is good, how did evil come to exist? Not only must Christians struggle with this question for their own faith, but it is an important topic that often must be addressed when others ask us … Continue reading “Creation, Evil and Pizza”

A well-known sermon illustration recalls French philospher Voltaire. During the Enlightenment, Voltaire, a deist, declared that within 25 years the Bible would be forgotten and Christianity would be obsolete. Of course, it did not turn out that way. In fact, following Voltaire’s death, a Bible society began printing Bibles in his former home! I love … Continue reading “Illustrating the Truth”