Today, three hundred years ago, on December 16, 1714, was born the man Martyn Lloyd-Jones said was “beyond any question, the greatest English preacher who has ever lived”. The great Bishop J. C. Ryle had said, “No Englishman … dead or alive, has ever equaled him.” (more…)
Category Archives: Preaching
Priceless treasure in cardboard cups
Pastoral Ministry
‘Ministry’ can be a very vague and unstructured idea. The joke that clergy work only one day a week is untrue, but it’s not immediately obvious what they do the rest of the time—are they some kind of spiritual social workers (as the confused mother of my best school friend asked when I quit university to become an Anglican minister)? It’s not really any clearer for those who attend church but are not in paid positions of leadership there. What does ‘ministry’ look like? Lots of coffee (preferably espresso)? Serving on endless rosters? Church politics? (more…)
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Bible 101
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Confessing Lordship: the implications
Pastoral Ministry, Sola Panel
I have the privilege of preaching at the Ordination of Deacons (35 of them) in St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral tomorrow morning in Sydney. I’d be glad of your prayer for them. (more…)
What is a sermon? A response to ‘Deadly, dull, and boring’
Thought
Language is a funny thing. We’re all expert users of it, but quite what language is and how it works remains a mystery to most of us. (more…)
9 Reasons for Consecutive Expository Preaching
Pastoral Ministry, Sola Panel, Sola Panel
I’ve read some good posts recently from the blogger at ScribblePreach, Nicholas McDonald. Here he gives 9 Reasons to Reconsider Preaching Verse-by-Verse from the Biblical text. (Please note he does not mean preaching just on a single verse at a time!) (more…)
Saving Eutychus
Video
Our slightly tongue in cheek trailer for the new book “Saving Eutychus: How to preach God’s word and keep people awake”…
Many books on preaching are published every year; this one is a ‘must’.
– DA Carson
This book deserves to be included in the ‘must read’ category for preachers.
– Alistair Begg
Every preacher needs to read this book every 5 years.
– Ray Galea
Printed book: AU store | US store
ebook: AU store | US store
Daniel Rowlands turns 300
Pastoral Ministry, Sola Panel
Friends, 2013 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Daniel Rowlands. Bishop J. C. Ryle calls him one of the “greatest spiritual champions” of the 18th century, an “apostle of Wales”.
(more…)
→ Preaching that connects
Link
If you’re a preacher in Sydney (or can travel here), Cornhill Sydney is running a really worthwhile day conference that will sharpen and improve your preaching. Minimal cost ($30), lots of benefit.
Speakers are Phil Campbell (Mitchelton Presbyterian, Brisbane), Gary Millar (Principal Queensland Theolgical College) and R W Glenn (Redeemer Bible Church, Minneapolis, USA).
There will be a round-table discussion chaired by Simon Manchester, input on preaching well from the Old Testament, and also practical advice on how to avoid putting people to sleep while you preach.
We will also be launching Gary and Phil’s new book, ‘Saving Eutychus‘.
Date: Thursday, June 20, 2013
Rego: $30 (including morning tea). Please pay on the day.
RSVP: via Facebook or to gavin@cornhillsydney.com.au
Location: St Thomas’ North Sydney
Interview: Majoring on the majors
Everyday Ministry, Pastoral Ministry
God gives different gifts to different people. The important thing is not the gifts we’re given, but what we do with them. Being a godly man, Chappo always used his gifts for the gospel, and always for other people. (more…)
The preaching of John Chapman
Everyday Ministry, Pastoral Ministry
When John Chapman came to your church in the 1970s, it was like the evangelical circus had come to town. I don’t mean that it was entertainment (though he was gripping) or that there were clowns (though he was hilarious) or even that it was a spectacle (though he was larger than life). I mean that it was the best day of the year. (more…)
The first 50 lessons are the hardest
Everyday Ministry, Pastoral Ministry
While not exactly Chappo’s words, “The first 50 lessons are the hardest” is more than a faint echo of something we often heard him say. I’m going to share with you something of Chappo’s legacy in the area of evangelistic practice. He taught me at least 50 lessons. Here are my top ten.
(more…)
→ Preaching matters
Link
More video content about preaching from St Helen’s Bishopsgate, an evangelical church in the middle of London:
Charlie Skrine shares his thoughts on preaching persuasively while Phillip Jensen helps us as we apply the Bible.
You can also catch up on the growing number of back-issues.
What’s happening to our preaching? A response to John Dickson: Hearing Her Voice: A Case for Women Giving Sermons
Pastoral Ministry, Review, Sola Panel
On Boxing Day 2012 (Christmas Day in Australia), a series of electronic booklets called “Fresh Perspectives on Women in Ministry” was released by Zondervan. One of these booklets was written by John Dickson, a highly respected Australian evangelist, writer, researcher and Anglican minister. Although I have only met John briefly, I have personally appreciated and benefited from much of his written work–both academic and popular. He has been involved in Christian ministry for significantly longer than I have; nevertheless we do share a number of things in common. I write regularly for an organisation (Matthias Media) with whom John has had a long and fruitful association. I am a Sydney Anglican minister myself. I also share similar academic research interests to John, particularly regarding the application of New Testament historical research to contemporary ministry. (more…)
Custom-make your own conference
Everyday Ministry, Pastoral Ministry
This time last year I was enjoying the Geneva Push In the Chute conference in Melbourne. I gathered with others from all over Australia, young and old, from a range of denominations, to encourage each other in the work of planting new churches. In some ways, I was the middle-aged pinup boy, heading to the Top End to begin all over. It was exhilarating to feel the energy, especially from those who were moving to new places to reach out with the message of Jesus. I had the privilege of teaching on why we need to keep planting new churches, how to build ministry teams, as well as sharing our specific dreams and plans for outreach in the Darwin area. (more…)