Concern/Empathy

Far too often, Christians are like the man who met an old friend and asked, "How's everything with you?" The other man said, "Terrible. You know my wife just died." The first man said, "Well, it could have been worse." We cannot be that indifferent. The Spirit of Christ demands that we genuinely feel the hurts of our brothers and sisters and work to alleviate them.

Commandments

It has been reported that the Emperor Caligula would write out his decrees in very small letters and post them so high that no one could read them. Still, he enjoyed punishing offenders for breaking those laws.

Bible

The oldest surviving Irish manuscript is a fragmentary copy of the Book of Psalms. Before they went into battle, Celtic armies carried it around their troops three times to ensure victory. While we would not endorse such a magical view of the Bible, surely reading it does make us ready for spiritual warfare and eventual victory.

Preaching & Leadership: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective

The relationship between preaching and leadership is a natural one, Maxwell explained in an interview in the January-February 1998 issue: "All great leaders are effective communicators," Maxwell asserted. "It is the vehicle for the vision. For me to know where I want to take a group of people and not have the ability to cast that dream, preach that message, communicate that heart, makes the dream impossible. The vision won't be accomplished.

Ministry Mentoring

Though numerous books have been written on the subject, each chock-full with success stories, mentoring is just plain hard work. Mentoring is never easy. Just ask yours; he or she will tell you. When others gave up on you, he or she didn't. Somewhere, somehow, they saw something, felt something, believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself. Today, your life is a confirmation of his or her vision and tenacity.

Preaching from Memory to Hope

"About every 50 years, American preaching has a nervous breakdown," asserts Thomas Long in the introduction to his new book Preaching from Memory to Hope (Westminster John Knox). "What happens is that trusted structures and strategies of the pulpit suddenly seem to lose their potency; and worried preachers, their confidence shaken, begin to scramble for the next new thing."

Dying to Preach

If the Word of God is to come alive in the pulpit, it will necessitate the death of the preacher, according to Steven W. Smith in his new book Dying to Preach (Kregel).

Pass the Birthday Cake, Please

With this issue, we begin our celebration of the 25th anniversary of Preaching magazine. Given that most publications don't survive five years, we figure that survival ought to be worth at least a nice birthday cake. (I'll take chocolate, a corner piece, please.)

Everyday Leadership

Are you ready to hear a word that will do your soul good? Are you prepared for a message that will bring understanding and illumination? Tune into this broadcast with Bayless Conley and turn with him in your Bible to find out what the Lord is wanting to speak into your life.

The Way of Wisdom, Part 2

James MacDonald continues to stir the pot, challenging the traditional view on God's will, which says God has a detailed specific individual will for each of His children - and if it's not figured out precisely, there are grave consequences. Learn why Pastor James believes God's sovereignty extends to those areas we've sought to make a choice that pleases Him and reflects His wisdom.