I have been mapping out my preaching for 2009. It’s a fun and intense process. I thought it would be interesting to hear from others on this subject. Follow up posts are coming. I will be asking for input as well as sharing some of my own perspectives near the end. Today, questions for the preacher. If you are not a preacher, hang on, the next set of questions are for you.
For those who preach regularly, 5 basic questions:
1. Do you favor exposition through books of the Bible, or thematic series?
2. Assuming the gospel is central in your preaching, what do your people need to hear the most at this stage in your church’s life right now?
3. How long are you willing to roll with one series/book of the bible? (6 months, 1 year, as long as it takes?)
4. How far in advance do you schedule your preaching?
5. What preachers do you listen to via podcast, MP3, CD, etc.?
We have three great worship leaders at Redeemer Fellowship. Recently Chris Walke (one of the three) has been digging up the less familiar hymns and sharing them with the church either for corporate singing, or as a meditative song to accompany the sermon. Below is a hymn he sang a few weeks ago during worship called For All The Saints. It was written in the 19th century by Ralph Vaughn Williams William How. The melody here is not the one most commonly used. Chris played acoustic and sang, and one of our musicians, Aaron, accompanied him on the electric guitar. Unfortunately, you can’t really hear Aaron’s subtle work. Anyway, give it a listen below. I love hymns, but had never heard this one.
For All The Saints
For all the saints who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou in the darkness drear their one true light:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But lo there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array:
The King of Glory passes on his way:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
I found out today that Founders Ministries is now giving away their conference audio for free. My first Founders Conference was in 1995 and I came away being very encouraged by the doctrinal preaching and the gathering of men who sang great hymns with real conviction. What you’ve been hearing about T4G is what many were saying about the Founders Conference back in the day.
As of right now the audio only covers 2002-2007, but that’s plenty to get started on. Tom Ascol told me they will be putting up the audio from this year’s upcoming conference on “Renewing and Planting Local Churches” featuring Ed Stetzer, Tom Nettles, Voddie Baucham, Andy Davis, Don Whitney, Phil Newton and Ted Christman. For those of us unable to attend, the free audio will be a real blessing.
Two years ago I brought some men from church to the first Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY. We had a great time and the conference was truly beneficial. This year four of us are heading out, and we are excited about opportunities to fellowship with other believers, hear some challenging words and hit the Irish Rover. Mark Dever, John Piper, RC Sproul, Ligon Duncun, Al Mohler, CJ Mahaney, John MacArthur, and Thabiti Anyabwile. I can say that I have profited by the teaching of all these men. This should be a great week.
I have been asked this on more than one occasion. The popularity of Mark Driscoll’s teaching/preaching, which often includes a liberal dose of humor, has more people asking this question. Check out the new Ligonier blog for RC Sproul’s concise answer. Good stuff.
Somehow I missed this clip, but I came across it tonight and thought I would put it up here. Piper on the true gospel vs. a false gospel - in this case, the prosperity gospel. Great stuff.
