Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Preacher--Be Encouraged!

The pressure on the content and length of a sermon is always downward. When is the last time a pastor had to call riot police because his congregation rose up en masse and demanded more systematic, biblical and historical theology in the sermon, more word study, tighter exegesis, and application Christological, ecclesiological, social and personal? Chances are you've never seen or heard that happen. The pressure on the content and length of a sermon is always downward.

Today Mike McKinley posted what I think is the most encouraging, short statement on expositional preaching that I've read in a long, long time. Mike helps us with why those downward pressures miss the point entirely. Read it and be encouraged to preach the word!

Here's what one bloke left in the comment section of Mike's post:

"Michael, thank you for your post- it came at exactly the right time for me. For exactly a year, I've been the minister of 3 churches in Britain that have never had an evangelical, expository ministry before. A couple of hours ago, I had a church council meeting where I was told very directly that they didn't want to hear about the Bible in sermons- it was boring, and sermons were too long (I preach for 20 minutes). Your post was just the encouragement I needed."


Hey Mike: Sweet new look to the Guilford website!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just so you know sir, I attend a church (caucasian pastor), who preaches 65 to 70 minutes EVERY sunday, and I cheer him on for more by the conclusion of each sermon. Trust sir, I desire more truth, more Scripture, more exposition, more theological un-packing . . . just ashamed, too few pastors are willing to go to the length.

My name is nate sir.

FellowElder said...

Nate,
May your tribe increase! And thank you for supporting your pastor, and more than that, desiring the Word of truth. May the Lord fill you as you hunger and thirst.
Grace and peace,
T-