Avoiding Distractions

In a recent issue of his Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Rick Warren observed that, "Jesus says that distractions can keep our fruit from ripening: 'The seed that falls among weeds stands for those who hear the word of God, but the worries and the riches and the pleasures of life crowd in and choke them and their fruit never ripens' (Luke 8:14, Good News). If we want to be fruitful in ministry, then we need to get rid of the weeds in our lives and make room for what's important. Jesus says the weeds that distract us tend to fall into three categories:

Who Will Lead Smaller Churches?

Although there are more Protestant ministers than churches, many ministers don't want to work for those congregations, especially smaller ones, according to a study by Duke University. The study was reported in a March 16, 2010, Associated Baptist Press report.

More Video, but Sermon Length Stays the Same

A newly released study by Ellison Research shows the typical Protestant church worship service has grown more contemporary and diversified during the past five years. The greatest increases have been in the proportion of churches using video clips and graphic presentations such as PowerPoint. Results of the study were published in the March-April issue of Facts and Trends.

Senate Must Follow House Vote to Sanction Iran

On Dec.15, 2009, the House of Representatives voted 412-12 in favor of enacting tough economic sanctions on Iran, in response to its leaders' defiant insistence on building nuclear weapons. The Senate must do likewise. These sanctions are necessary to show Iran that we are serious. So far, the Iranian regime has openly mocked efforts by the international community to restrain their maniacal quest for nuclear weapons, and have even redoubled their efforts.

Know Where You Are Headed

In the most recent issue of his Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Rick Warren writes: "There were seven characteristics in the life of the Apostle Paul that I think made him the single most effective proponent of Christianity in history. He didn't have a cell phone, airplane or the Internet; yet he was largely responsible for the spread of Christianity from Israel to the uttermost reaches of the Roman Empire. Here are the reasons for his S-U-C-C-E-S-S:

The Great Transaction

Dr. Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) began the third stanza of his hymn "O Happy Day!": "''Tis done: the great transaction's done! I am the Lord's and He is mine." The term transaction means "something that is transacted, esp. a business deal or negotiation." Allow me to point out three elements of the great transaction.

The Year’s Best Preaching Books and the 2010 Preaching Book of the Year

Each year seems to bring new treasures to the preacher's bookshelf, and 2009 was no exception. While there was not an abundance of publications in the field of homiletics, there were some quality offerings released in recent months. Several titles were legitimate contenders for our Preaching Book of the Year recognition this time, but the winner is being cited because of the breadth of quality resources it makes available in the field of preaching.

Ten Commandments for Preaching

When it comes to preaching and teaching the Bible, we all fall short. Who hasn't quoted the wrong reference or (worse) read the wrong passage of Scripture altogether? Who hasn't, in the heat of the moment, accidentally gotten tie-tongued and credited Paul with the words of Peter? You may even find yourself creating a homiletical mountain out of an exegetical molehill. Everyone makes mistakes, but for all the mistakes preachers can (and do) make, here are 10 that we should do our best to avoid at all costs.