Gladys Dunn had recently moved into a retirement community and was looking for a church to attend. Fortunately, she found a congregation to attend within walking distance.
When she arrived on Sunday, she found the building attractive and inviting. The people were friendly. The singing was enthusiastic and edifying. The prayers were fervent. And the communion service was reflective and thought-provoking. Continue reading
Filed under Preaching, Sunday Seed Thoughts
“It has been well said that nobody goes to church to find out what happened to the Jebusites,” opined Warren and David Wiersbe in their fine little book, The Elements of Preaching.
The Wiersbes continue with this advice, “A sermon that lingers in the past tense is not really a sermon at all; it is either a Bible story or a lecture. We live in the present tense and we need to hear what God has to say to us today.” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
“What do you do when you’re not preaching?”
“It must be nice to work only one day a week.”
“I’d like to come and see you this afternoon. Since it’s not Sunday, I assume you’re free.”
“Do you have a job? Or just preach?”
“That was like a really good TED talk about Jesus!” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Preaching
“He’s a good preacher,” is an often repeated phrase by Christians describing the preacher of their local congregation, or their favorite evangelist.
But what defines a good preacher?
Is it oratorical skills? Is it the ability to hold our attention spellbound? As long as it doesn’t exceed 30 minutes? And in some circles only 20 minutes. Is it his pleasing personality? His social skills? His affable demeanor? His administrative organization? His novel ideas? Continue reading
Filed under Preaching
G. Campbell Morgan in his book entitled “Preaching,” tells a story about an eminent preacher who approached the great English actor William Charles Macready with a perplexing question.
“I wish you would explain to me something,” the preacher asked.
“Well, what is it? I don’t know that I can explain anything to a preacher,” replied the actor. Continue reading
Filed under Preaching
In June 2018 we stepped away from full time located work and launched this new ministry phase of our lives.
We began with the idea of freeing ourselves from the limitations of working with one local church and combining travel with ministry opportunities. It has been both rewarding and exciting.
Here’s a short review of our travels and preaching opportunities for 2019 Continue reading
Filed under Preaching
Last night we watched an old episode of the Andy Griffith show that was entitled “A Sermon for Today.”
Andy and Opie are ready for church and trying to get Aunt Bee off the phone gossiping with her friend Clara.
When we arrive at the “All Souls Church,” the congregation is singing “Holy Spirit, Truth Divine.” All the while the ladies are looking across the auditorium miming appreciation for each other’s hats. Barney fumbles to keep his place in the hymn, and is saved from embarrassment when Andy stops him from applauding the guest speaker.” Continue reading
Filed under Preaching
Several years ago during National Bible Week, the then host of the Tonight Show, Jay Leno, did one of his on-the-street interviews.
Leno asked, “Can you name one of the Ten Commandments?”
“God helps those who help themselves,” offered one person.
“Freedom of speech,” guessed another.
“Name one of the apostles,” Leno challenged. Continue reading
In his book Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns, authors C. Edward Spann and Michael E. Williams Sr. note that the title of President George W. Bush’s autobiography, A Charge to Keep, was drawn from Charles Wesley’s hymn.
Apparently, this title choice was an indication of the influence this 18th-century hymn had on President Bush, as well as so many others in the past 250+ years. Continue reading
“So, I hear that you’re retiring,” a friend said to me recently.
“Don’t use the ‘R’ word,” I replied.
“Oh, I thought you were leaving West main?”
“Well, I am at the end of May. But I’m not retiring from preaching.”
After a puzzled look, I explained that I am leaving local work, but seeking a more flexible schedule that allows for a broader ministry in the brotherhood. Although I will turn 70 in March, my health is good and I still feel very energetic.
Since my December post announcing this new chapter in our lives, some of our plans have taken shape. In addition to my love of preaching, are traveling and enjoying the fellowship of brethren in other locations. So, we are going to combine the two for a period of time.
This summer we are spending 7 weeks in Welland, Ontario, Canada. The church in Wellandport will serve as our “home base.” Their preacher and my friend, Michael Stephens, is my liaison to the Canadian brethren. We’ve already scheduled a gospel meeting, a VBS, a men’s class and some studies on “Evidences” at Wellandport. As time permits, there will be other opportunities throughout Ontario.
Following this, we will take our annual anniversary trip in August to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. This will take us to both Rome and Athens where we look forward to meeting and worshiping with brethren in those cities.
When we return we have Fall meetings already scheduled. In addition to meetings in Texas, currently, we have speaking engagements that will take us to Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Possibly we could add one or two more meetings to our Fall schedule.
Sometime in November, we will make our way to Florida, where our daughter, Rachél and her family live. By then, our son, Kenny, and his wife, April, will have moved back to Florida, where she will begin her full-time medical practice. Since our children and grandchildren will be in central Florida, we anticipate making that our “home base” for at least 5-6 months a year. We are working on some potential preaching opportunities around Florida and maybe into the Carribean.
We already have meetings scheduled for 2019 and beyond and are looking to add to that schedule as well as speak on an appointment basis. Hopefully, the Canadian work will serve as a model where we can spend 4-8 weeks in various localities and offer support, encouragement and spiritual edification to the brethren while we are there. We want to be used in whatever way we can serve as the brethren and the Lord see fit for as long as we can.
The Shepherds and the West Main Church Family have been incredibly considerate and understanding of our decision. We are indebted to them for their support during this transition.
During this time we plan to continue ThePreachersWord. We’re looking forward to meeting some of our readers in other localities, especially in Canada and Europe, in the months ahead.
We solicit your prayers on our behalf for fruitfulness in the Kingdom and safety in our travels.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
Filed under Preaching
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