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.

Hope for Haiti

The corporate world waits daily for 5:00, but in Haiti, the hour is synonymous with the foundation-jarring horror of a 7.0 earthquake. Pastor Rod shares Bridge of Hope's provision of now and future help and hope.

I Shall Come Forth as Gold

If you've been through a tough time and seen God to work in your situation -- the fact that these things have happened to you, these lessons, with God's strength and power, the whole package is so different from the road walked by pagans who don't know where the road goes -- and you aren't bitter but better is proof positive that you are a card-carrying member of the family of God.

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.

Leading with a Joyful Heart

I've always loved a good laugh. In fact, I look for those who can make me laugh or whom I can make laugh. Laughter is a cure-all. It's a jog through a rainstorm on a hot day. Suddenly you feel different, refreshed, energized. I think Jesus loved to laugh, too; and being the great communicator He was, I'm convinced His preaching style was filled with every successful technique, including making people laugh. "A Philistine, a rabbi, and a duck walked into a deli"

The 25 Most Influential Preaching Books of the Past 25 Years

During the 25 years of Preaching magazine's publication history, books have played a major role in the publication. No wonder-books are the lifeblood of the preacher's work. Because books play such a vital role in the life of the preacher, this publication has offered a key resource to help preachers know which volumes promise to help us be more effective in the task of proclaiming the Word.

The Greatest Legacy

If worldly integrity is learned by the example of careless character, we are called to a higher standard. The integrity of a Christian leader speaks louder than a sharp résumé, a handful of brochures or a stack of business cards. Integrity is something that can't be handed to you as you walk across the graduation platform. Integrity comes from within. It's the result of a focused faith, godly choices, right associations and a tenacious commitment to truth.

Back Page Pulpit: Keep Calm and Carry On

Recently I came across a little book with that title Keep Calm and Carry On (Andrews McMeel Publishing). The title is based on a poster produced by the British government in 1939, during the dark days of World War II. More than two million copies were printed to be used in the event that Germany invaded the island nation as an encouragement to keep that famous British stiff upper lip in place if the worst-case scenario came to fruition.