Resources on Preaching
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 MoreIn 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 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 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.
Read MoreJohn Stott reflects on the life of Charles Simeon, one of my heroes of Christian ministry. In 1985 I ran across Simeon’s name for the first time while reading Stott’s Between Two Worlds. He referenced Simeon several times, so I bought Hugh Evan Hopkins Charles Simeon of Cambridge to learn more. Later I read the fine biographies of Moule and Carus, and many of Simeon’s sermons. During his 54 years at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge (1782-1836) some 1100 future ministers sat under his ministry. Distinguished historian Thomas Macauley observed that his influence was greater than any English bishop or archbishop. Any student preparing for ministry will benefit by studying the life of this remarkable pastor and preacher.
Read More“Some time ago, a young man who had recently been inducted to his first charge as minister asked me, ‘What is the most important thing that I can do?’ My immediate answer to him was, ‘Pray for a praying people.’” – Eric J. Alexander, What Is Biblical Preaching? (P&R: 2008), 31.
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