Resources by Charlie Wingard
In this 2009 interview, Eric Alexander reflects on his conversion to Christ, and his many years of ministry in the Church of Scotland. His commitment to pastoral ministry in the local church, expository preaching, and prayer have been an encouragement to many ministers. Many thanks to my friend David Irving for pointing me to this interview.
Read MoreThomas Murphy’s addresses presbyters serving in the church’s higher courts. Nevertheless, his advice is useful to all Christians who find themselves engaged in public controversy: “There are some persons who seem to lose their Christian spirit and temper as soon as they engage in public discussions. They enter upon them in a wrangling and angry manner, and at once render the exercise of calm, Christian wisdom impossible. Such a spirit is utterly inconsistent with the character which should be found Christ’s servants. . . . Each one, as he has opportunity should strive to banish angry strifes. . . . It is like men to resent opposition, but it is like Christ to bear it.”” – Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology:…
Read MoreJesus warns, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” William Still comments, “When people are convinced that life consists in the abundance of their possessions, they have completely identified life with material objects, and are, alas, already lost souls. They have virtually cut themselves off from the life of God, and his ultimate verdict will be only to recognize and confirm that.” – David C. Searle, ed. Through the Year with William Still (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2006), 212.
Read MoreProfessor James Benjamin Green could be tough on seminary students. He began teaching at Columbia Seminary in 1921. After one student’s sermon, he offered this critique: “There were three problems with this sermon: first, it was read; second, it was read poorly; third, it wasn’t worth reading.” Another student preached a sermon titled “The Double-Barreled Gospel” and received this feedback: “What a subject! ‘The double-barreled gospel.’ Unfortunately, neither barrel was loaded.” – David B. Calhoun Our Southern Zion: Old Columbia Seminary, 1828-1927 (Banner of Truth, 2012), 356-357.
Read MoreThe solitude of night can bring its share of anxiety, and especially when accompanied by regrets of a day misspent. The opposite is also true: “The more we abound in God’s work the more comfort we may expect in him; if the day has been busy for him, the night will be easy in him. Silence and retirement befriend our communion with God.” – Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 3:4-5
Read MoreWhen does effective preaching become possible? “Dr. Wilbur Chapman has this to say of the handicaps which befall the minister: ‘when trials are many, when burdens are heavy, when tears are blinding, when the heart is almost broken, then, as a rule, ministers come to an experience when effective preaching is possible.’” – William Childs Robinson, The Certainties of the Gospel (Zondervan: 1935), 130.
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