Comments on: The Primacy of Preaching

By: Larry Teasley

Larry Teasley — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:10:05 +0000

Bill, I’m in total agreement with you. I teach preaching at our Conference licensing school and I try to drive home the necessity of quality preaching. John Stott said that preaching is indispensable to Christianity since it is primarily a religion if “the Word.” I have often wondered who in Wesleyan circles, much less the UMC, stands out as a nationally recognizable preacher. Alas, I am not sure who that would be.

By: Love It – Agree! | shelboese.org

Love It – Agree! | shelboese.org — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:52:04 +0000

[...] The Primacy of Preaching from Bill Easums Observations by admin I’m reading a fascinating book, Preaching and Preachers, by Lloyd- Jones. I must confess I’ve never read anything by him before and that’s a shame. The book is an excellent read. His premise is that Preaching is the primary thing a minister does. He gives three reasons: One, because preaching is primary in the New Testament from Jesus to the Acts of the Apostles; Two, because every major revival in Christian history has been accompanied by great preachers; and Three, because man is a rebel against God and needs the salvation that only preaching can bring. [...]

By: admin

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:31:25 +0000

Jeff I dont disagree with you about the importance of small groups and relationships. And because its no longer 1940 doesnt mean much since preaching as been around since the first century. To denigrate preaching is to denigrate large sections of the New testament.

I still contend that the poor level of preaching is one, just one, of the reasons Christianity is in decline.

My friend in India tells me of the many converts they have each week through their preaching. So I’m not ready to give up on preaching. Just as I’m not willing to give up on small groups and all the other ways of communicating the Gospel you mention. I think it takes all of them.

0ne thing I know from being in the United Methodist Church for more than 40 years is that if all I have to go on to decide about preaching I’m in a real mess because our preaching is some of the worst.

By: Jeff Patton

Jeff Patton — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:35:43 +0000

Yes, I did. I think I proved the point that its not 1940 any more and what was is working so well (really, that what they say) is now so not working that we are closing thousands of churches a year. As the living bible says in 1 Cor 13–the preaching (which has almost nothing to do with what we call preaching–the kergyma as it were) of the best is so poor (what an understatement).

but perhaps the main difference is that I am more than ready to do away with an industry that spends 60% of its income on buildings and pensions, 20% of its income on staff (people being paid to do what I think we are all called to do without being paid) and perhaps 20% of its income on people. That most likely is the difference.

but its deeper. 1 Cor 12:26 is clear to me. when believers gather there is an order to the use of the gifts. And the admonition is “each one” has a gift to bring and use. Paul wouldn’t have a clue what we are doing on Sunday mornings, whether it be the person in the funny clothes reading a discourse or the boom bang bang with the great video clip. He might recognize the eucharist but odds are nothing else. almost everything else is a 5th century or later addition..remember the dark ages…most of what we do comes that environment.

again, the believing community in places where it is against the law to meet are very different. They don’t “preach”. They use their gifts. They mostly pray and sing. They don’t need told every seven days what the mission is. They don’t need the talking head. They raise up leaders-people who equip others to “run the race”, to win the prize.

could be I am jaded. but what I see from my friends in other places really stokes my fire to be sold out for Jesus. As one of our friends used to say, here in America, after a good sermon or worship experience, we are so excited about our faith we go out and have lunch.

thanks for a chance to sharpen the sword this morning.

maybe its all sparks but I firmly believe its crucial to the nearly death like condition of most of the ‘Church” in America.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:24:42 +0000

Hey, Jeff, you just proved his point- by saying pastors shouldnt waste time on sermons is like saying we should do away with the institutional church. Im not ready to do that.Preaching a good sermon doesnt mean you cant have great relationships. Love ya.

By: Jeff Patton

Jeff Patton — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:59:23 +0000

Hey Bill
I couldn’t dis-agree more with Lloyd Jones, if by preaching you mean a talking head that stands in front of a crowd of people with inane and irrelevant religious and pseudo-CPE psycho babel. Going from what I read in the NT Jesus mostly spoke to smaller groups of people who often asked him a question first. I think that implies relationship first. Sure he spoke to the multitude -but even Jesus said they came mostly for food. I’ve heard some great messages/teachings in my life…most of them were in small groups. I’ve seen some really fancy churches, some really elaborate and doctrinally “correct” messages from some great orators. But golly…I can’t tell you what they said 30 minutes after the service was over. I don’t think Christianity is in demise from poor preaching or from the lack of long, boring, teachings. I think Christianity is in demise because in the USA it doesn’t cost a thing to say you follow or belong. my friends in other parts of the world aren’t preaching–they are living for Jesus and thus the message is a 24/7 kind of thing–and the one couple has done 47 adult baptism since september in a country where living for Jesus is against the law.

so I would not recommend pastors waste time with sermons. rather, do what the gift is meant for–Ephesians 4:11-12- equip your people for their ministry-their 24/7, real, right where they are ministry of touching lives with the good news of God’s great love in Jesus!

love you, and you and Jan remain in our prayers.

jeff