Articles

Get encouraged & inspired through a variety of topics from ministry life to church leadership development to trending ideas for church growth.

Highlights from the 1998 National Conference on Preaching

The ninth annual National Conference on Preaching was held February 24-26 at the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. "We Preach Christ Crucified" was the conference theme. Registrants from New York ... Continue Reading...

Curing Your “Ill”ustrations

Jim Coleman

It's Saturday evening and you, the preacher, are feeling great. But your sermon isn't. As you began preparing it earlier in the week, Sunday's message seemed in average health. However, by Friday afternoon you ... Continue Reading...

Preaching out of a Slump

John D. Duncan

Preachers face the arduous task of preaching every week. Often, on Saturday, the pastor feels "steam-rollered" after a busy week. Drained, the preacher scrambles to organize a sermon. He struggles to find somet... Continue Reading...

I Love You, You Love Me

Michael Duduit

I've just seen my son come as close to worship as a two-year-old can get. He was in the presence of Barney.During this year's Spring Break, we went to Florida to visit family. We Baptists are boycotting Disney ... Continue Reading...

Ralph G. Turnbull: Disciplined Servant of the Word

Mark E. Yurs

Ralph G. Turnbull (1901-1985) served the Word of God as pastor and preacher, teacher and writer. Born in Scotland, he served churches in Great Britain, Canada and the United States, the last being First Presbyt... Continue Reading...

Preaching and the City: An Interiew with Erwin Lutzer

Michael Duduit

Erwin Lutzer has served since 1980 as pastor of the historic Moody Church in Chicago. A native of Canada, he taught Bible and theology at Moody Bible Institute before assuming his present pastorate. He is featu... Continue Reading...

A Narrative Nightmare

Donald Reigstad

It's nearly time to preach and I can't find my trousers! Frantically, I run through the church trying to locate them. The pulpit hymn is coming to a close! It's time! I'm up! Unfortunately, my trousers aren't. ... Continue Reading...

Why Story?

Blake Harwell

"He taught them many things by parables ..." (Mark 4:2 NIV).I've never watched them but I must admit understanding the fascination they hold for millions of viewers. Daytime television programs or "soaps" have ... Continue Reading...

It’s Not My Fault

Michael Duduit

Whatever may have gone wrong in your life, your church or your neighborhood in recent days, it's a pretty good bet you can blame it on El Nino. After all, we're blaming everything else on it.Truth is, these day... Continue Reading...

The 1998 Annual Review of Books for Preachers

Albert Mohler

When Paul wrote to Timothy requesting that he come quickly, he also asked Timothy to bring his books and parchments. Any preacher will understand this urgent request, since books are such an important staple of... Continue Reading...