Sunday, May 28, 2006

For the preacher...

I have just finished reading Peter Adam's book 'Speaking God's Words'. It is a brilliant book for those who are in a preaching ministry or believe they have the 'gift' of preaching. Adam's writes Biblically and clearly about the importance of this ministry and its place among other 'ministries of the Word'.
When I started out preaching my main concern was writing the sermon, but this is only one aspect of preaching. It is crucial to understand why preaching occurs in the church, what we are preaching from (the Bible as God's Word) and who we are preaching to. Quite approriately, Adam's quotes the Westminster Larger Catechism:

Q: How is the word of God to be preached by those tha are called thereunto?

A: They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word are to preach sound doctrine, diligently in season and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification and salvation (1996:171).


posted by Mully @ 7:59 PM 1 comments

Thursday, May 25, 2006

A Big Decision...or is it?

As a theological college student, I am often asked questions such as: What do you hope to do after college? Are you going to be a priest/minister/pastor etc? Why did you decide to go to college? Regarding the first 2 questions, I never really thought far enough ahead about "vocation" after college. Concerning the latter, my decision was based on a struggle: Am I reading and applying Scripture appropriately and faithfully? I had high view of Scripture as the authoritative Word of God, but the problem was with the 'great divide' - what did it mean to the original audience and what does it mean now?

I have more to say on this topic later, but firstly some questions:

1. As a Christian have you ever thought about going to theological college, why or why not?

2. If you are studying at college, or have previously, what was it that prompted you to do so?

posted by Mully @ 5:45 PM 4 comments

Welcome

Welcome to calvins-urbanreform. Feel free to browse, make a comment or just read the entries. I am a first time blogger therefore may take a little while to get this blogsite underway! Anyway, thanks for visiting and continue to check it out!!

posted by Mully @ 4:17 AM 1 comments