Part 5 The situation is not hopeless. In the history of the church, those times when she has prospered are those times when, in the midst of a low point, she has engaged in reflection and self-criticism (95). What is needed here . . . Continue reading →
Preaching the Word
Why Johnny Can't Preach (5)
Part 4 So far Gordon has focused on the form of preaching. In chapter 4 he turns to questions of content. He says, “…in addition to the cultural matters that have concerned me throughout, I also believe that preaching today almost entirely . . . Continue reading →
Why Johnny Can’t Preach (4)
Part 3. Another reason Johnny can’t preach is because Johnny can’t write. To make this point Gordon begins with an important survey of the way technological changes have affected communication. We take printed texts for granted. We blithely tell people to “read . . . Continue reading →
Why Johnny Can’t Preach (3)
Part 2. The next section of the book is an analysis of one aspect of the problem: Johnny doesn’t read well. This problem has been diagnosed for many years. I see it frequently. The rise of electronic texts, which is valuable in . . . Continue reading →
Why Johnny Can’t Preach (2)
Between the first post and this one I listened to the excellent interview with David at Reformedforum.org. In the first chapter Gordon lays out his case that “Johnny Can’t Preach.” The first line of evidence is anecdotal. His experience (and that of . . . Continue reading →
Why Johnny Can’t Preach (1)
I am a fan of T. David Gordon. He writes well. He speaks plainly. He doesn’t mince words. With some writers it’s quite possible for five people to read them and come away with five different conclusions about what the writer is . . . Continue reading →
Kevin DeYoung Reviews "Why Johnny Can't Preach"
One of the minor problems with living on the West Coast is that the publishers all seem to be on the East Coast and books seem to get here last. In the meantime we continue to enjoy the sunshine and Kevin’s review . . . Continue reading →
Ira Glass (This American Life) On Storytelling
Not that preachers are called to spin homely yarns but preaching is a kind of story telling. We have a narrative (the history of redemption) in which people must locate themselves and with which they need to learn to identify. Ira Glass . . . Continue reading →
Hodge on the Free Offer
At James Durham Thesis.
Preaching Christ: WSC Alumnus Jody Lucero '04
Abraham’s Obedience: Tried and True
Wilimon on Barth
Shane gets us started.
What's Wrong With Preaching Today?
Apparently the same things as troubled evangelical preaching in 1980.
Candid Comments for Candidates (2)
Part 1 Thinking through the business of candidating as a seminary student, recent graduate, first-time pastor or a pastor currently without a call is less difficult than the matter of calling a pastor who is currently serving a congregation. The most obvious reason the . . . Continue reading →
Candid Comments for Candidates (1)
After the post on calling a minister someone wrote to ask if I would comment about the process of calling a minister from the candidate’s perspective.
Interesting Sermon Test
How many sermons pass this test?
Iain Campbell on Catechism Preaching
“Hey Mikey, he likes it!“
Preaching Christ
The WSC site features sermons by WSC alumni. This month is audio of a sermon by the Rev. Chris Gordon (M.Div, ’04), pastor of Lynden, URC in Lynden, WA.
Dennis Johnson on Preaching
At Expositionalogistix
In Season: Preaching to the Postmodern Choir
WSC alumnus Shane Lems in the latest Mod Ref.
Idols Of The (Minister's) Heart
Martin Downes is beginning a series on idols that cause pastors to stumble. There are three great idols that all ministers must tear down daily cast into the fire for scrap: buildings, bodies, and budgets.