PREACHING THAT REACHES PEOPLE
The prevailing theme among those who are considered experts in reaching people today states, we have to make our sermons simple, practical and relevant. While I agree that all three qualities are important, we must never forget they all must be biblical to change lives! When people come to church today, I believe they truly want to know what the Bible says. There seems to be a genuine hunger for God’s Word. Even if a curious non-Christian attends church, most want to hear a biblical message rather than a self-help and feel-good sermonette. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what people want. If sin separates people from God, we can’t be afraid to preach about sin, the cross and the resurrection. God has promised to bless that kind of preaching.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
HALF TIME
About 15 years ago, I made a mistake—I read Bob Buford’s best seller, Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance. I say mistake because it totally changed the way I approached the “second” half of my life. I was 48 at the time and planning on spending the rest of my ministry pastoring and retiring from a mega-church. However, that was not God’s plan and Buford’s book helped me to realize it (if you haven’t read the book, I recommend it.)
It wasn’t so much the content of the book that did the trick, it was the concept that caused me to ask God, “Is this all there is?” Pastoring and retiring from a mega-church—is this all there is? From there, God started me on a journey that continues to this day.
For the past 14 years, I pastored a small church in the Bay area of San Francisco. And while it was a terrific blessing, it was also a training ground for our new assignment. After being gone for twenty-one years, God has led us back to Phoenix to plant a new church in a 55+ adult resort community (probably the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted.) At a time when most men my age are thinking about gearing down, God has said, “I want you to keep it in gear and plant a new church.”
I write this because I want to ask you the same question I dealt with 15 years ago. I think it’s important to ask adults questions that get them thinking about the second-half of life. Even if they don’t have an answer the first time I ask, just posing the question will get them thinking.
In addition to the question above, “What are your dreams for the second-half of life?” I might also ask: What are you passionate about? What do you like to stay up late at night talking about? What do you want to be doing in 10 years? What is something you have always wanted to do but have never had the opportunity? If money and time were no object, what would you want to do for God’s Kingdom?
Think about it. These questions are just a few suggestions. It’s really all about taking the time to get to know what God has in store for you.
About 15 years ago, I made a mistake—I read Bob Buford’s best seller, Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance. I say mistake because it totally changed the way I approached the “second” half of my life. I was 48 at the time and planning on spending the rest of my ministry pastoring and retiring from a mega-church. However, that was not God’s plan and Buford’s book helped me to realize it (if you haven’t read the book, I recommend it.)
It wasn’t so much the content of the book that did the trick, it was the concept that caused me to ask God, “Is this all there is?” Pastoring and retiring from a mega-church—is this all there is? From there, God started me on a journey that continues to this day.
For the past 14 years, I pastored a small church in the Bay area of San Francisco. And while it was a terrific blessing, it was also a training ground for our new assignment. After being gone for twenty-one years, God has led us back to Phoenix to plant a new church in a 55+ adult resort community (probably the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted.) At a time when most men my age are thinking about gearing down, God has said, “I want you to keep it in gear and plant a new church.”
I write this because I want to ask you the same question I dealt with 15 years ago. I think it’s important to ask adults questions that get them thinking about the second-half of life. Even if they don’t have an answer the first time I ask, just posing the question will get them thinking.
In addition to the question above, “What are your dreams for the second-half of life?” I might also ask: What are you passionate about? What do you like to stay up late at night talking about? What do you want to be doing in 10 years? What is something you have always wanted to do but have never had the opportunity? If money and time were no object, what would you want to do for God’s Kingdom?
Think about it. These questions are just a few suggestions. It’s really all about taking the time to get to know what God has in store for you.
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