Expository Preaching Training

I have had the privilege to serve as pastor of a number of God’s churches. Some I served as the full-time pastor and others I served as interim. Each church was unique and had its own personality, but each provided me with opportunities to grow in my understand and skills as a pastor and preacher. I will never forget my first pastorate in Tangipahoa Louisiana. I was young and inexperienced. I had a lot to learn about being a pastor. I learned early on (and quite surprisingly) that not every one in the church would like me. I remember a particular elderly lady who fancied herself the missions and outreach coordinator of the church. READ MORE HERE

 (Excerpt from Crossing the Homiletical Bridge)             They tell us that expository preaching tends to be irrelevant to the contemporary audience. Who “they” are, at least for me, remains the big question. Rick McDaniel did explain, however, that during the last thirty years of the twentieth century American society changed from a Christian to a secular culture. He noted that the majority of Americans have limited knowledge of biblical stories and characters. [1] I see no reason to question McDaniel’s contention. Haddon Robinson further added that recent criticisms of modern preaching include statements such as “too much analysis and too little answer” or “too impersonal, too propositional -- they relate nothing to life.” [2] The modern-day expositor, therefore, must struggle with applying the biblical text to a biblically ignorant culture while concurrently demonstrating the relevance for that culture. This trut...

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD EXPOSITORY MESSAGE?  - Conveys the basic message of a biblical passage faithfully Hermeneutics – the  biblical  concern of the  teacher     = FACTS - Communicates this message well, using appropriate structure and features Homiletics – the  practical  concern of the  preacher      = FORM - Meets the real needs of the congregation, consistent with the purpose and function of the passage Human Need – the  personal  concern of the  pastor         = FUNCTION For purposes of sermon preparation, however, the function of the biblical passage in its context and the application of the text to congregational needs should be considered before structuring the sermon. The order will, therefore, be facts, functions, and form.  DOING EXPOSITORY PREACHING Sam Canine, former Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Dallas Sem...

          This post will be directed more toward the pastor who prepares sermons and Bible studies each week of the year. However, most of the information will be meaningful for all teachers of God’s Word. The intent is to provide some practical insights into approaches to sermon preparation and some concurrent spiritual considerations.               Many authors who have written in the area of pastoral ministries and preaching instruct us to “save our mornings for God.” As D. Martin Lloyd-Jones put it, “safeguard your mornings!” [1] Along with Lloyd-Jones, this precedent was set by well-respected and well-intentioned men such as W. A. Criswell , [2] Stephen Olford , [3] and many others.              I remember when I first was introduced to the concept. It seemed so pastoral and spiritual. One of my pastoral ministries professors fervently stress...