Preach the Word

Beginning Ministry Suggestion from Tim Keller

2009-12-02T17:00:00.005-06:00

I heartily recommend a reading of Tim Keller's advice for those aspiring to ministry: The Country Parson.In short, he recommends trying to pastor as a solo pastor of a small, rural church.His rationale includes limitations of experience gained as a mentored member of a pastoral staff in a larger church."You can't teach a younger pastor much about things they aren't actually doing. And in a large

Allocation of Pastoral Resources

2009-10-22T15:37:00.003-06:00

An interesting quote:Ministers pay far too much attention to people who do not come to services. Those people should, generally, be given exactly that disregard by the pastor that they give to Christ. The Christian leader has something much more important to do than pursue the godless. The leader’s task is to equip saints until they are like Christ.-Dallas WillardTo what extent should a pastor

What to think of multi-site campuses?

2009-09-30T14:49:00.003-06:00

Doubtless, you're familiar with a trend in church growth. Instead of planting new churches, churches are instead opening up another "campus," where those who assemble typically watch the preaching done at the main campus via live feed or rebroadcast.What should we think of the practice?There are obviously reasons to do it that way. For example, you can keep control over the doctrine and

Pooped Pastors Dot Com!

2009-07-24T08:43:00.004-06:00

Someone recommended this site to me since I am going through the resignation process at my church. It has not been an easy 2 weeks, but something that I feel I must do. At the site, Steve Brown talks about the resignation letter and how to go about it. I've already started the process and it is comforting to know that I'm in line with what he is saying.But the site has so much more than just that

Blog of the Week: Surviving Seminary Guide.com Practical Wisdom to Help You Avoid Burnout and Finish Well

2008-10-28T19:20:00.002-06:00

I just found this site this week and knew it would be a great blog to let you all know about. Maybe some of you could contribute some articles there.Here are a few of the featured articles:Your Seminary Isn’t Responsible For Your EducationStumbling at Seminary: LazinessStumbling at Seminary: CheatingA Little Seminary Is A Dangerous Thing

Some Preaching Slooge

2008-10-21T18:17:00.000-06:00

Read an interview of Mark Dever and C.J. Mahaney on sermon preparation and delivery.Read John Piper's exhortation to preach what is true and precious.Read about Paige Patterson's challenging chapel message (10/21/2008) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, or listen to it.Listen to John MacArthur's Q&A on "Keeping Preaching Fresh" at the Straight Up Conference.Plus, watch Bryan Chapell on

DTS classes on iTunes

2008-09-08T22:37:00.002-06:00

Just got this on my DTS Google Alert: The seminary is offering free classes on iTunes in video format. BE 102 w/ Allman, 107 w/ Toussaint, PM 103 w/ Warren, plus many more are available for free to download.I wonder how much of our tuition is going for the hardware & manpower to run this feature. Does it matter to you?

2009 Desiring God Conference for Pastors (Feb 2-4, 2009)

2008-09-08T14:23:00.004-06:00

If you've never been before, this is a great year to start attending the Desiring God Conference for Pastors in Minneapolis, Minnesota.The theme for 2009 is Commending Christ: The Pastor, the Church, and the Perishing.The speakers are:Mark Dever Keynote Speaker Matt Chandler Pastoral Speaker Michael Oh Missions SpeakerJohn PiperBiographical Speaker (George Whitefield)This will be my 4th

Called to Preach? How do you know?

2008-09-04T01:24:00.004-06:00

2 quick hits on being called to preach ...“There are some preachers who so loudly declare their love of preaching that it is unclear whether it is their own performance and their love of power that has captured them or their desire to minister to the men and women who listen to them.”-D. A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation, 82

Christlikeness Required in Ministry

2008-08-30T10:40:00.002-06:00

A great Sinclair Ferguson quote I came across ..."Either become more like Christ or get out of the Gospel ministry because, if you don't do the former, you will do great damage to the latter."- Sinclair Ferguson

Great is Thy Effectiveness?

2008-08-27T05:20:00.000-06:00

I heartily recommend the following article put forth by the folks who bring you the Leadership Journal.Great is Thy Effectiveness?There’s danger in rooting our identity in ministry rather than in Christ."Brothers and sisters, you are more than the measurable outcomes of your work."If you've been in ministry long, I think you'll understand the subtitle, or at least the temptation described. It

Preaching: You can't count the wins and losses...

2008-08-24T06:47:00.000-06:00

A good friend of mine, Heath Cross, and student at RTS in Jackson has an excellent post entitled, Preaching: You can't count the wins and losses. It's a great reminder that as preachers, we have to walk and preach by faith, since so much of what we do has fruit born out in the realm of the unseen.Here is just a bit of what Heath wrote:Preaching is not like coaching a football team. A football

Conference on Depression in the Clergy (FREE & local for DFW folks)

2008-08-20T04:48:00.009-06:00

I got the following email and wanted to share it with my DTS alumni in case you missed it.My humble suggestion ... don't wait until you get to the point Tommy was.Follow Barney Fife's advice and nip it in the bud."I wanted to let you know of an opportunity for area alumni. Dr. Lee Jagers (ThM 76), Director of Counseling Services at Dallas Seminary, is inviting area alumni to a conference

Indispensible Pastoral Resource

2008-07-16T14:08:00.000-06:00

Here's a Monergism Books deal too good to pass up.Richard Baxter's Reformed Pastor is on sale for $6.75, plus another 10% off if you buy $25 or more. Just enter the coupon code banneroftruth to receive additional savings.(Actually, many Banner of Truth titles are greatly reduced and can be had for an additional 10% off as well.)I heartily encourage anyone in pastoral ministry and it would be

Spiritual Depression

2008-07-14T10:20:00.006-06:00

The problem is more common than many realize, particularly among those involved in vocational ministry.This Fall the Founders* Study Center is offering the course, "Spiritual Depression" with lectures by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. You may audit it at no cost (i.e., FREE). All of the courses are made available at minimal costs (which do not nearly cover the expenses of providing them), but by God's

“I Guess God Must Have Some Reason for It”

2008-07-12T07:22:00.003-06:00

How many times, during or after a trial, have you heard someone say, “God must have some reason for this”? I am convinced that we need a paradigm shift in our understanding of suffering. We should not think, “I guess God is allowing this,” but rather, “God is doing this.” This takes the trial from the area of arbitrariness to specificity. God doesn’t just allow things to happen because nothing

Piper on Bad Preaching

2008-07-02T14:04:00.002-06:00

This was the preaching that I sat under when I first became a believer...BTW, I hope this isn't already posted here...

Alistair Begg on (Expository) Preaching

2008-05-19T10:38:00.000-06:00

In the Introduction to Expository Preaching Class at SWBTS I require his little text Preaching for God's Glory. A few quotes:we gather together as the church not to enjoy preaching eloquence (or to criticize its lack) but to hear and heed the Word of God. (p. 13)The Scriptures are neglected and debased and are used only as a springboard for all kinds of “talks” that are far removed from biblical

Great FREE Resources for Preachers

2008-05-12T15:22:00.006-06:00

One of the books that wasn't required in preaching class at DTS, but that I heartily recommend is Bryan Chapell's Christ-Centered Preaching.If you've read it and would like a refresher or would like the content in another format, you can access the preaching course taught by Dr. Chapell (who is also the president of Covenant Theological Seminary) and Dr. Zack Eswine (a great guy whom I met at an

Thinking of Ministry?

2008-04-12T12:51:00.003-06:00

Blogger Kevin Johnson over at ReformedCatholicism.com wrote two posts on those considering ministry. I wish I would have had someone say some of these things before seminary, but even now - many of his suggestions (though sarcastic in parts) are really good to consider:My favorite funny ones:*) Befriend the oldest person in your congregation. If that person is 29 or 35 go find a REAL church to

Wiersbe's 10 Helpful Thoughts Regarding Ministry

2008-04-03T10:22:00.004-06:00

I came across this and thought you might appreciate and/or find it useful as well.The foundation of ministry is character.The nature of ministry is service.The motive of ministry is love.The measure of ministry is sacrifice.The authority of ministry is submission.The purpose of ministry is the glory of God.The tools of ministry are the Word of God and prayer.The privilege of ministry is

Preaching Process Tool: Sermon Builder

2008-04-01T23:29:00.004-06:00

I across across this interesting and useful tool:Sermon Builder from The Shepherd's Conference online resources.Welcome to the Sermon Builder – a step-by-step guide for expository sermon preparation. While the Sermon Builder will not write someone's sermon for them, it is intended to lead pastors and Bible teachers through the basic steps of exegesis and exposition. It is our desire that even the

Real Men Love Jesus?

2008-03-10T10:05:00.004-06:00

I came across another "Get the men back in church" article.I wonder, is that a problem you've faced? Have you taken deliberate steps to solve it?Check out Tim Bayly on Pastoral Strategies to Bring Men Back to God's Household.I tend to do instinctively act on some of these things, but others have convinced me I could be more intentional in training up men who will impact their families.Sadly,

Discussion: What does it mean to "Preach the Word"?

2008-03-05T22:30:00.004-06:00

Perhaps I should ask it this way: Is our job as a minister of the word, to teach people about the Bible? In small group studies across the nation, this has meant "getting practical" and studying the Proverbs. One pastor, I saw interviewed on television once, said he thought God called him to preach nothing but the book of Proverbs for one year. In fact, at DTS we cut our teeth on the book of

Reading in 2008

2008-02-20T00:02:00.000-06:00

Each year in Preaching Magazine Al Mohler lists his "top 10 books every preacher should read." Here's the list for 2008:1. Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching: In Honor of R. Kent Hughes, edited by Leland Ryken and Todd Wilson2. Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation, by Graeme Goldsworthy3. Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in