The great Methodist preacher Halford Luccock published a book entitled Marching Off the Map. The name came from a story about Alexander the Great. As Luccock tells the story, Alexander’s army had moved from victory to victory, sweeping across Asia …
What does it mean to be missional?
The term “missional” shows up in lots of conversations among church leaders these days. Clearly we are trying to gain a renewed focus on what we are to be and do as the church in the 21st century. In fact, …
The Power of Words
It happened in the 1840s in Uruguay. The Uruguayan Navy was desperate. They were fending off the navy of an aggressive force from Argentina. They ran out of conventional ammunition and thought their cause was lost. Someone came up with …
Happy 400th, KJV
Today I’ll be speaking in chapel at Anderson University on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. I’ll be talking about the legacy of English Bible translation, then draw some conclusions: 400 years later, we celebrate …
Questions before you preach
Speaking at the Radicalis conference, Andy Stanley offered these five questions he asks every week as he preaches. They would be good ones for any of us to ask as we prepare to preach. Who is this about, really? (As …
Defining Expository Preaching
There are many definitions of expository preaching which have been offered over the years, but perhaps the most popular one among evangelicals is the definition of Haddon Robinson, from his book Biblical Preaching: “Expository preaching is the communication of a …
What is expository preaching?
Over more than 25 years of editing Preaching magazine, and even longer studying the history of Christian preaching, one of the things I have learned is that preaching never stands still. Effective preaching is constantly adapting to the cultural realities …
Preaching Under Pressure and the Sovereignty of God
(This week’s blog postings are adapted from the theme address, “Preaching Under Pressure,” presented at the EK Bailey International Conference on Expository Preaching in July.) The God who allows pressures to come your way is the God who will be …
The Priorities of Preaching Under Pressure
(This week’s blog postings are adapted from the theme address, “Preaching Under Pressure,” presented at the EK Bailey International Conference on Expository Preaching in July.) As you face the pressures of ministry, let me suggest that you . . . …
Preaching Under Pressure Produces Diamonds
(This week’s blog postings are adapted from the theme address, “Preaching Under Pressure,” presented at the EK Bailey International Conference on Expository Preaching in July.) Like me, you probably saw those Superman shows where the Man of Steel would take …