Monthly Archives: February 2008

by Peter Mead | February 19, 2008

Hermeneutics for Preaching – It Can’t All Be We, part 2

Following the post on Saturday, “It Can’t All Be We,” Steve submitted an important comment. I hope he doesn’t mind the extra exposure for the comment by including it here, but I think this is a very important issue for … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Religion, Stage 2 - Passage Study

Tagged as Hermeneutics, Reader-Response

by Peter Mead | February 18, 2008

An Annual Retreat Every Week?

This weekend we had the privilege of joining a church for their annual weekend away. Stunning weather (in February in England!), great food, beautiful venue, etc. But from my perspective I would say that I enjoy weekend retreats primarily because … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, Preaching

by Peter Mead | February 17, 2008

Feeling Down in the Ministry

Non-preachers often don’t realize the roller-coaster of ministry. Due to the exacting nature of ministry – giving out, being buffeted spiritually, etc. – we are all prone to repeated discouragement. Today as you press on through another Sunday, take stock … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preacher's Personal Life, Preaching, Religion

Tagged as criticism, discouragement, Minister, Ministry, Pastor

by Peter Mead | February 16, 2008

It Can’t All Be “We”

Cultures shift. In the west we are living in an age when people no longer respect authority, including the authority of a preacher. People may like the preacher, and listen to the preacher, but there is some resistance to the … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Religion, Stage 8 - Message Detail

Tagged as Authority, Craddock, New Hermeneutic, New Homiletic, Reader-Response

by Peter Mead | February 15, 2008

Demonstrating Key Values: Application

People may hear words, but they sense values. Values are caught as much as taught. Watch a dysfunctional family situation where the children are verbally instructed with one set of values, but observe the flagrant disregard for those values in … Continue reading →

Do We Preach the Bible or Theology?

As preachers we have to determine a fundamental perspective in our approach to preaching. Do we preach the Bible, or do we preach a theology? Obviously when we preach the Bible we will preach theology, and hopefully we will do … Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Religion, Stage 1 - Passage Selection, Stage 2 - Passage Study, Stage 3 - Passage Purpose, Stage 4 - Passage Idea, Stage 5 - Message Purpose, Stage 6 - Message Idea, Stage 7 - Message Outline, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by Peter Mead | February 13, 2008

Can You Support It?

One privilege of preaching is the privilege of study. But not everything you discover in your private moments poring over the sacred text should be shared from the pulpit. Some things may be an exegetical cul-de-sac that you pursued but … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 2 - Passage Study, Stage 5 - Message Purpose, Stage 8 - Message Detail

Tagged as Spiritualizing, Symbolic

by Peter Mead | February 12, 2008

Can They See It?

Yesterday I wrote about the danger of abusing introductions to promote pet perspectives. After the introduction, the message continues. As people look at the passage in the Bibles sitting on their laps, can they see how your message comes specifically … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 7 - Message Outline, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by Peter Mead | February 11, 2008

Keep Drums Out of the Introduction

The first few minutes of a sermon are important. They provide the opportunity to get the attention of the listeners, surface a need for what is to follow and move them into the passage and message. During this relatively brief … Continue reading →

Goals – Too High, Too Low

Many preachers have a tendency to overestimate what can be achieved in one sermon. We also have a tendency to underestimate what can be achieved in five years. Perhaps today will be an obviously great day in the work of … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, Preacher's Personal Life, Preaching, Stage 5 - Message Purpose