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Conference
Recharge: for Ministry Wives 2024
Single £380
Tuesday 7th May 2024 –
Friday 10th May 2024
THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR THE WIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN PAID BIBLE TEACHING MINISTRY - whether in local churches, schools, theological colleges etc..
We recognise how crucial it is that the wife of a Word minister is fully behind him and thoroughly convinced that the work is worthwhile, especially when things are tough. At the same time, we know that many ministry wives feel isolated and find it a struggle to keep going.
This three-night conference, hosted this year by Jamie & Susie Child and Carrie Sandom, is designed to give space to the wives of church leaders and will include…
● time to listen to Six expository talks - Jamie Child - Ephesians, Karen Soole - Ecclesiastes;
● A choice of seminars
● Small groups led by an experienced ministry wife
● Opportunities to chat, relax and have fun together
The aim of the conference is to encourage and energise ministry wives so they can continue to support and encourage their husbands’ ministry.
We regret that it is not possible to bring babies/young children to this conference.
This Conference will be held at High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. All rooms full board, ensuite and single occupancy.
Price £380
Bookings close: Thursday 24th April 2024(Subject to availability)
The Conference will start at 4pm on Tuesday and finish at lunchtime on the Friday.
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Conference
Cornhill Book in a day 2024: Galatians
Price £60
Student rate £30
Tuesday 7th May 2024
At various points in the year, Cornhill is opened up to visitors – not primarily as an Open Day for prospective students, but to allow anyone to benefit from some of the training on offer every day of the week. ‘Book in Day’ provides an introduction to one Bible book in four lectures, during just one day. It has proved to be especially useful for church preaching teams, or small group Bible leaders, to attend and learn together.
Cornhill Book in a Day: Galatians with Andrew Sach
The day will run from 9am - 4.30pm and will be held at the PT Office, 116-118 Walworth Road, London SE17 1JL
Please note, that subject to availability, bookings close on Thursday 26th April.
PLEASE NOTE: We might record this session and if so only the lecturer will be visible on camera, but any comments made or questions asked by students or guests will feature in the lecture recording.
Conference
Cornhill Open Morning June 2024
FREE
Student rate £30
Tuesday 4th June 2024
Our open mornings are an opportunity to join current students for a morning lecture and then chat to staff over lunch (which we'll provide).
The morning begins at 9am with a short devotional talk from one of the teaching staff, followed by a lecture, and concludes with lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 during which staff will be available to chat about the course and answer your questions.
We are located a few minutes' walk from Elephant and Castle station. There's no charge for attending an open morning, but you do need to reserve a place. Please use the link below to reserve a place at the open day on Tuesday 4th June.
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Conference
EMA 2024
FREE
Student rate £30
Day rate £55
3 days £130
Student day rate £30
Student 3 days £80
Tuesday 25th June 2024 –
Thursday 27th June 2024
The theme of this year’s conference is STEADY. We are at a perilous moment. We have been rocked by ministry scandals that have come too close to home. Many of our ministries are still recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic. Those in the mainline denominations are facing critical decisions as they seek to stay faithful to the Lord. But we don’t need to panic: God’s grace is still enough, the Lord Jesus still reigns, his Spirit is still powerfully at work through his word, and we are still the people of the gospel. Our aim this year is to encourage one another to take hold of our evangelical convictions as we face difficult times together.
We have a great programme lined up. Kevin DeYoung, the Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant Church, Charlotte, North Carolina and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at RTS will be beginning each day by taking us to the foundations of all gospel ministry: grace, holiness, and rugged faith in God’s promise. On Tuesday and Wednesday Michael Reeves, a prolific author, local church minister and the Professor of Theology and President of Union School of Theology will be delivering lectures on the importance of being evangelical – and calling us to live up to that name. On Wednesday and Thursday Conrad Mbewe, the pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia for over three decades and an international speaker and writer will be giving us two lectures on the power and the rewards of pastoral preaching. Nigel Styles, the Director of the Proclamation Trust and the Cornhill Training Course will be ending each day with an exposition of 1 Thessalonians. Andrew Sach, author, Cornhill Tutor and co-pastor of Grace Church Greenwich will be leading a seminar, helping those who sign up to make progress on the book of Kings. And there will be round-table discussions from our main speakers and others on staying the course in Christian ministry.
Please join us at this 41st Evangelical Ministry Assembly as we encourage one another to hold steady in difficult times.
- 3 Day Rate: £130
- 3 Day Student Rate £80
We shall be returning to the Emmanuel Centre, Westminster, London.
All EMA delegates are also warmly invited to stay on for the Cornhill Training Course’s End of Year Service (at 6.30pm on Thursday 27 June) – always a tremendously encouraging time!
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Conference
PT Cornhill Summer School 2024
Price £160
Student rate £30
Monday 1st July 2024 –
Friday 5th July 2024
All sorts of people come to the Cornhill Summer School: students, workers, people who have retired; those who want a taster of Cornhill; people taking a week out of their normal lives to be equipped, encouraged, and refreshed in their service of the Lord. It is for people who are, or hope to be, in any kind of Bible-teaching ministry in a local church, and provides an opportunity to work through some of the important principles of handling the Bible faithfully with the aim of teaching Christ with integrity.
The week is taught by the Cornhill teaching staff at our offices in central London, near Elephant and Castle station. The teaching content for the week will be similar to a week of Cornhill:
- The mornings will be given to interactive lectures. The focus is on biblical exposition, and we will cover approximately three Bible books in some depth throughout the course of the week.
- In the afternoon there will be workshop groups where you'll have the opportunity to give a short talk and receive some feedback.
- There will also be some lectures throughout the week on how to write a Bible talk, and Christian Ministry.
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Resource
Talks
We have talks with these titles , , , , , , , 'The Times They Are A'Changin...'I, 'The Times They Are A'Changin...'II, 'With the help of our God we dared . . .', (Please note: recording quality poor for first few minutes), 1 Corinthians 15 (1), 1 Corinthians 15 (2), 1 Corinthians 15 (3), 1 Corinthians 4, 1 Corinthians 9, 1 John (1), 1 John (2), 1 John (3), 1 John (4), 1 John 2:18-28, 1 John 3:1-10, 1 John 3:10-24, 1 Kings 17 - The Word of the Living God, 1 Kings 17-18, 1 Kings 18 - The LORD, He is God!, 1 Kings 19, 1 Kings 19 - Power and Promise of God's Word, 1 Peter 1:1–2:3, 1 Peter 2:11–3:7, 1 Peter 3:8–22, 1 Thessalonians (1), 1 Thessalonians (2), 1 Thessalonians (3), 1 Thessalonians 1, 1 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Timothy (1), 1 Timothy (2), 1 Timothy (3), 1 Timothy 1:1-11, 1 Timothy 1:12-20, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:8-15, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 1 Timothy 3:14-16, 1 Timothy 4:1-9, 1 Timothy 4:6-18, 1 Timothy 5:17-25, 1 Timothy 6 (1), 1 Timothy 6 (2), 1. A Flagship Church, 1. A Gentle Introduction!, 1. A question of definition, 1. A Question of Power, 1. A Word for the World to come, 1. Bird's Eye View, 1. Christian work in the light of the resurrection, 1. Commissioned and encouraged, 1. Covenant Beginnings: Noah & Abraham, 1. Eli & Samuel, 1. Evangelism Every Sunday!, 1. Exposition 1, 1. Faith and the Future, 1. Foundation of the Christian life, 1. Foundation of the Ministry of The Word, 1. Friends with God, 1. God the Holy One, 1. Gospel & the Holy Spirit, 1. Joy in the Lord, 1. Knowing Our Message, 1. Matthew 13, 1. On the Boundary, 1. Organizing an Expository Sermon, 1. OT Background, 1. Our View of the World, 1. Overview: The Message of 2 Timothy, 1. Peter Addressing Jews in Jerusalem, 1. Preaching from the Gospels: 2 Contrasts in Matthew, 1. Preaching Hell, 1. Preaching to the Modern World, 1. Revelation and its Method, 1. The Branch, 1. The Christian Leader as a Believer, 1. The Cross As The Work Of God, 1. The Doctrine, 1. The enemy within, 1. The Everlasting Word, 1. The Genuine Seeker, 1. The Judas factor and how to avoid it, 1. The Kingdom as Fulfilment, 1. The Letter, 1. The Ministry of the Word, 1. The Power of Faith, 1. The Preacher - A God authenticated ministry, 1. The Principal Warning, 1. The Psalms in the Bible, 1. The Sign of Jonah, 1. The Worldliness of Modernity, 1. What is a Biblical ministry, 1. Who are whom?, 1. Why the Bible?, 10. A unique day in world history, 10. Christ's Priorities, 10. Facing the Future - Later Epistles to Revelation, 10. Immaturity at Corinth, 10. New Testament Epistles, 10. The Normal Christian Life II, 11. A man following God wholeheartedly, 11. Taking Jesus at His Word, 12. Dealing with misunderstanding, 12. Do You Want to be Whole?, 13. Life Through God's Son, 13. Look back with thanksgiving, 14. Moving on with God, 14. Why Believe?, 15. Jesus Can Meet Your Need, 15. Lessons learned from Joshua, 16. Jesus Conquers Fear, 17. What is Life for?, 18. Christ - the Bread of Life, 19. Progressive Discipleship, 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, 2 Kings 2, 2 Kings 3, 2 Kings 5, 2 Peter (1), 2 Peter (2), 2 Peter (3), 2 Peter 1, 2 Peter 2, 2 Peter 3, 2 Thessalonians 1, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Thessalonians 3, 2. A Faith that Works, 2. A Genuine Convert, 2. A Question of Wisdom, 2. A Suffering Servant, 2. A Word of Warning, 2. An authentic spirituality, 2. Church & the Holy Spirit, 2. Exposition 2, 2. Forward to Galatians!, 2. Galatians (I), 2. Grace and Law, 2. Growing into Salvation, 2. Inside Enemy Territory, 2. Israel, the Nations and the Future, 2. Jesus Christ in NT, 2. Joy in Ministry, 2. Knowing Our Ministry, 2. Motivation for changed lifestyle, 2. One True Gospel, 2. Our view of the Gospel, 2. Pattern for the Christian life, 2. Paul Addressing Philosophers in Athens, 2. Paul's Defence and Appeal, 2. Portrait of the King, 2. Prayer: Misconceptions & models, 2. Preaching from the Old Testament, 2. Preaching Heaven, 2. Preaching to a Confused Church, 2. Putting Flesh on the Skeleton, 2. Repentance Every Sunday!, 2. Sharpening Our Skills (1), 2. The Aim of a Biblical ministry, 2. The Bosom of Abraham, 2. The Christian Leader as a Shepherd, 2. The Church Hesitant, 2. The Covenant Norm: Moses, The Passover & The Law, 2. The Cross As The Revelation Of God, 2. The Doctrine of Scripture, 2. The enemy without, 2. The Importance of Having the Right Expectations, 2. The Listener, 2. The Mission of the Kingdom, 2. The Nature of Faith, 2. The Principal Necessity, 2. The Psalms and Christ, 2. The Seed-Bed of the Bible, 2. The Sermon - From text to sermon, 2. The Things to Come, 2. What is unique about modernity?, 2. What then is Preaching?, 2. Who is this Jesus?, 20. Proving that Christ is the Truth, 21. Who is this Jesus?, 22. Causes of Unbelief, 23. Set Free from Sin, 24. Jesus - The Light of the World, 25. Is God Our Father?, 26. Facing up to Christ's claims, 27. God's work displayed, 28. A Growing Faith, 29. The Gateway to Life, 3. A Love that Labours (I), 3. A Question about Christian Leaders, 3. An Able Teacher, 3. Application, 3. Classical / Exemplary, 3. Covenant Community - Gen.12 - Deut.34, 3. Covenant Perfection: The Perfection that has come, 3. Encounters with Christ, 3. Exposition 3, 3. Faith & the Holy Spirit, 3. Focus in the Christian life, 3. Galatians (II), 3. God does amazing things, 3. God Transcendent, 3. Have you understood all these things?, 3. Hopeless People given Hope, 3. How to be a Younger Minister, 3. Join me in suffering - An overview of 2 Timothy, 3. Joy in Giving, 3. Kingdom Realism, 3. Paul Addressing Pastors in Miletus, 3. People in relationship, 3. Prayer and the Holy Spirit, 3. Prayers, Answered & Unanswered, 3. Preaching Evangelistically, 3. Principles of Interpretation, 3. Prospects for the Gospel, 3. Sharpening Our Skills (2), 3. Sin and Redemption, 3. The Christian Leader as an Evangelist, 3. The Collection, 3. The Congregation - Seven principles of a NT church, 3. The Cross And True Human Identity, 3. The Dangerous Gospel, 3. The Head of the Church, 3. The Nurture of Faith, 3. The Pattern of Biblical Ministry, 3. The Practice of Preaching, 3. The Principal Promise, 3. The Psalms and the Gospel, 3. The Pure Gospel, 3. The Sermon, 3. The Servant, 3. The Spirit of Hope, 3. Word and Work, 30. Jesus - The Good Shepherd, 31. Is Jesus really God?, 32. God in Control, 33. Jesus Conquers Death, 34. The Passover Plot, 35. Proclaiming Christ's Kingship, 36. Why was Christ Crucified?, 37. None so Blind, 38. The Servant Lord, 39. The Loyality of Love, 4. A Love that Labours (II), 4. A Question about Christian Ministry, 4. A Thoroughly Equipped Teacher, 4. Biblical Theology, 4. Final Appeal, 4. First Love, 4. Galatians (III), 4. Godliness in public life, 4. Living in the Land - Joshua to David, 4. Ministry in the World, 4. Satisfaction / Penal Substitution, 4. Sharpening Our Skills (3), 4. Standing Against the Tides of Time, 4. The Biblical ministry, 4. The importance of remembering, 4. The Key to this World, 4. The Kingdom Community, 4. The Law & The Promise, 4. The Preacher, 4. The sovereign God who rules, 4. Water into Wine, 40. Trust Christ for the Future, 41. The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 42. United with Christ, 43. Love One Another, 44. The Strength of the Opposition, 45. The Holy Spirit at Work, 46. Joy that Lasts, 47. What is Eternal Life?, 48. Christ's Prayer for His Disciples, 49. Christ's Prayer for the Church, 5. A Life that Pleases, 5. Childish Living, 5. Children of Promise, 5. Christ in control, 5. Keep Going, 5. Many Antichrists, 5. Preparations for Victory, 5. Shadow and Substance, 5. Standing the Test, 5. The Application of the Passage, 5. The Coming of the Kingdom, 5. The Heart of the Preacher, 5. The Patient Preacher, 5. The sovereign God who rules by His Word, 5. The Voice of the Prophets - Solomon to the Exile, 50. What will you do about Jesus?, 51. Truth on Trial, 52. The Judge Condemned, 53. Cross Purposes, 54. Dead and Buried, 55. Life After Death, 56. Can We Believe that Jesus is Alive?, 57. The Difference Jesus Makes, 58. Love Demands Discipleship, 6. A Hope that Endures (I), 6. Born Again?, 6. Exile and Return - Jeremiah to Malachi, 6. Lord over all generations, 6. Marriage, Celibacy and the Glory of God, 6. Nothing but the Truth, 6. Once for All, 6. Sharpening Our Skills (4), 6. Stand Firm!, 6. The fall of Jericho, 6. The sovereign God who rules in glory, 6. The Unity of the Bible, 7. A Hope that Endures (II), 7. Closing Exposition, 7. Here comes the Judge, 7. Idol Meat and the Mark of a Christian, 7. Not Circumcision but Christ, 7. Old Testament Narratives, 7. Otherworldly Lives, 7. The Enemy Within, 7. The Heart of Christian Faith, 7. When things go wrong, 7. Wisdom and Messiah - The Intertestamental Period, 8. A God who will do it, 8. Divine strategy lessons, 8. Living on a Past Reputation, 8. Old Testament Prophecy, 8. Start/Continue/Finish, 8. Summary of 2 Peter/Does 2 Peter speak today?, 8. The Gospel and the Kingdom - Matthew to John, 8. The Lord from Heaven, 8. The Lord's Supper, 8. The True Church, 9. Appearances can be deceptive, 9. Journey into Life, 9. New Testament Gospels, 9. Spiritual People and Spiritual Gifts, 9. The Normal Christian Life I, 9. The Spreading Gospel - Acts and the Epistles, 9. Unlimited Opportunities, A Biblical Theology of Creation I, A Biblical Theology of Creation II, A Biblical Theology of Creation III, A biblical theology of perseverance (1), A biblical theology of perseverance (2), A Bigger View of Jesus Christ, A Christian Perspective on Depression 1 - CD / MP3 CD only, A Christian Perspective on Depression 2 - CD / MP3 CD only, A Church for the 21st Century?, A dangerous calling (1), A dangerous calling (2), A dangerous calling (3), A fatal mistake, A glorious future, A glorious God, A glorious message, A labour of love: loving the word means loving the people, A labour of love: loving the word means loving the people, A lesson in prayer, A Petrine Ecclesiology!, A Proper View of the Laity, A Proper View of the Law, A Proper View of the Lord, A Puritan Vision, A Tomb with a View I, A Tomb with a View II, A Tomb with a View III, A world under judgement, Abraham - Genesis 16, Alistair Begg workshop, All about Jesus
(Mark 1:1-13), Alternative Models for Ministry, Am I my brothers keeper?, Ambassadors for Christ I, Ambassadors for Christ II, An interview with James Hamilton, An old lesson relearned, Antidote to worry, Apologetics, Application in preaching (1), Application in preaching (2), Aspects of authority in our decision making, Aspects of authority in our Message, Aspects of authority in our Preaching and Pastoring, Away with the Word?, Being a Titus Woman (1), Being a Titus Woman (2), Biblical Perspectives on Ministry, Biblical theology (1), Biblical theology (2), Blessed are those who mourn, Branches, Building a congregation (1), Building a congregation (2), Building a real church family, Building for the Gospel, Building the church abroad, Building The Church Among Young People, Building...among Muslims, Building...downtown, But as for you.., But as for you..., But as for you..., Calvin: Suffering Reformer, Can God do the impossible?, Caring for God's servant, Changing the Church, Charles Simeon - Dead, yet still speaking, Christ crucified, Christ glorified, Christ incarnate, Christ Is The Master Of Everything, Christ's Prayer School, Christ, Law & Prophets (1), Christ, Law & Prophets (2), Christ, Law & Prophets (3), Christian Leadership: Like a Father With His Children, Christian Leadership: Like a Nursing Mother, Christian Worldliness - A Study of R.W. Dale, Church Discipline 1 - CD / MP3 CD only, Church Discipline 2 - CD / MP3 CD only, Church Discipline 3 - CD / MP3 CD only, Church growth (1), Church growth (2), Church Leadership in Dangerous Times, Clip 10, Clip 11, Clip 12, Clip 14, Clip 15, Clip 16, Clip 2A, Clip 2B, Clip 3, Clip 4, Clip 5, Clip 6A, Clip 6B, Clip 7, Clip 8, Clip 9, Closing exposition, Closing exposition, Closing exposition, Closing exposition, Closing exposition, Closing exposition, Closing exposition, Closing Exposition, Closing exposition, Closing Exposition - Exodus 28, Closing exposition - Ezra 2, Closing exposition - Revelation 14, Closing exposition: The God who gathers, Closing exposition: The God who saves, Closing exposition: The God who sends, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 1, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 2, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 3, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 4, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 5, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 6, Colossians - Volume II: Lecture 7, Colossians 1:3-14, Colossians 2:6-15, Colossians: Lecture 1, Colossians: Lecture 2, Colossians: Lecture 3, Colossians: Lecture 4 (occasional crackles in recording), Colossians: Lecture 5, Colossians: Lecture 6, Colossians: Lecture 7, Colossians: Lecture 8, Colossians: Lecture 9, Complete in Christ (1): Colossians 1:1-23, Complete in Christ (2): Colossians 1:24-2:3, Complete in Christ (3): Colossians 3:1-17, Conference closing exposition: 1 Peter 3, Conference closing exposition: 1 Peter 3, Conference opening exposition: 1 Peter 1, Conference opening exposition: 1 Peter 1, Conference Sermon, Conference Sermon, Conference Sermon - Hebrews 10:32-39, Conference Sermon - Hebrews 13:1-8, Conference Sermon - Hebrews 7:11-28, Conference sermon: 1 Peter 2:21-25, Conference sermon: 2 Chronicles 18, Conference sermon: Ezekiel 34, Conference sermon: Ezra 2, Conference sermon: Leviticus 16, Conference sermon: Psalm 22, Conference Sermon: The Domestication of God, Conformity is all: Daniel 3, Connecting with Atheists, Connecting with Kids, Connecting with Muslim People, Connecting with Women, Context, Coping with Suffering, Cross shaped ministry (1), Mark 10:17-34, Cross shaped ministry (2), Mark 10:35-52, Crossing boundaries (1), Crossing boundaries (2), Crossing boundaries (3), Cruci-fiction or crucifixion, Daniel 1, Daniel 7, Daniel 7-12 (1), Daniel 7-12 (2), Daniel 7-12 (3), Daniel 9, Daniel: God's Kingdom on every page (1), Daniel: God's Kingdom on every page (2), Daniel: God's Kingdom on every page (3), Daniel: God's Kingdom on every page (4), Desiring God: An interview with John Piper (Robin Sydserff), Did Jesus' miracles happen?, Discussion Panel 10, Discussion Panel 11, Discussion Panel 17, Discussion Panel 18, Discussion Panel 9, Doctrine of the Spirit in the Reformation, Ecclesiastes (1), Ecclesiastes (1), Ecclesiastes (2), Ecclesiastes (2), Ecclesiastes (3), Ecclesiastes (3), Ecclesiastes (4), Ecclesiology for mission (1), Ecclesiology for mission (2), Ecclesiology for mission (3), Elisha: The Man Of God I, Elisha: The Man Of God II, Embracing your identity, Emerging Church, Emotions and preaching (1), Emotions and preaching (2), Employing history in evangelism and exposition (1), Employing history in evangelism and exposition (2), Employing history in evangelism and exposition (3), Energising a congregation with gospel vision (1), Energising a congregation with gospel vision (2), Engaged in God's Mission I, Engaged in God's Mission II, Engaging with an alien world: culture, Engaging with an alien world: same sex attraction, Engaging with an alien world: technology, Ephesians (1), Ephesians (2), Ephesians (3), Ephesians 1, Ephesians 2, Ephesians 3, Ephesians 4, Ephesians I: Big Picture, Ephesians II: Core Teaching, Ephesians III: Practical Consequences, Eschatology 1, Eschatology 2, Eschatology 3, Establishing a Vision (1), Establishing a Vision (2), Esther 1-4, Esther 5-7, Esther 8-10, Evangelical confidence in pulpits, preachers and preaching, Evangelical Protestantism, Evangelical Spirituality, Evangelical, Catholic, Liberal I, Evangelical, Catholic, Liberal II, Evangelicals and the Church I, Evangelicals and the Church II: An Authentic Unity, Evangelicals, Ecumenism and the Church, Evangelism, Evangelism that is Apostolic I, Evangelism that is Apostolic II, Evangelism Today, Evangelism Today (1), Evangelism Today (2), Evangelism Today (3), Evangelistic Groups (remaining minutes of talk missing), Evangelistic Preaching, Evangelistic Preaching, Evening Exposition - Jonah 1-2, Exegesis - 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Exegesis - 2 Kings 18-19, Exegesis - Deuteronomy 32, Exegesis - James 2:14-26, Exegesis - John 17, Exegesis - Luke 1:46-56, Exegesis: Ezekiel 1, Exodus Lecture 1, Exodus Lecture 2, Exodus Lecture 3, Exodus: The Book of Braveheart!, Experiencing God's provision, Explanation - 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Explanation - 2 Kings 18-19, Explanation - Deuteronomy 32, Explanation - James 2:14-26, Explanation - John 17, Explanation - Luke 1:46-56, Exposing half-hearted religion (I), Exposing half-hearted religion (II), Exposing half-hearted religion (III), Exposition & Instructions I, Exposition & Instructions II, Exposition - 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Exposition - 2 Kings 18-19, Exposition - Deuteronomy 32, Exposition - James 2:14-26, Exposition - John 17, Exposition - Luke 1:46-56, Exposition 1, Exposition 1, Exposition 1 - A Matter of Priority, Exposition 1 - CD / MP3 CD only, Exposition 1 - Matthew 13, Exposition 1: Genesis 28, Exposition 1: Isaiah 7-8, Exposition 1: Psalm 1, Exposition 2, Exposition 2, Exposition 2 - CD / MP3 CD only, Exposition 2 - Matthew 13, Exposition 2 Chronicles 30: Stones and mortar for building God's Kingdom, Exposition 2: Genesis 32, Exposition 2: Isaiah 50-51, Exposition 2: Psalm 90, Exposition 3, Exposition 3 - Matthew 13, Exposition 3: Isaiah 63-65, Exposition 3: Psalm 63, Exposition for Expositors II, Exposition for expositors: Daniel 1-6, Exposition for expositors: Daniel 7-12, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I, Exposition I - John 20:30-31, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II, Exposition II - 1 Kings 22, Exposition II - A Matter of Interpretation, Exposition III, Exposition III, Exposition: Ezekiel 1, Exposition: Old Testmanent story (1): 2 Samuel 2, Exposition: Old Testmanent story (1): Genesis 45-46, Exposition: Old Testmanent story (2): 2 Samuel 6, Exposition: Old Testmanent story (2): Genesis 48, Expositions for Expositors - Talk 1, Expositions for Expositors - Talk 2, Expositions for Expositors 1, Expositions for Expositors 1, Expositions for Expositors 2, Expositions for Expositors 2, Expositions for Expositors 3, Expositions for Expositors I, Expositions for Expositors I, Expositions for Expositors I, Expositions for Expositors II, Expositions for Expositors II: 1 Peter 2:4-10, Expositions for Expositors III, Ezekiel I: Pastor Among the Dislocated, Ezekiel II: Evangelist Among the Disgruntled, Ezekiel: Hopeless Hope, Ezekiel: Sound Hope, Ezekiel: Substantial Hope, Ezra (1), Ezra (2), Ezra (3), Ezra 3, Ezra 4, Facing The Future, Faith and Immaturity, Faith and Patience, Faith and Understanding, Fashion is Truth: Luke 11-12, Feeding the Preachers (1), Feeding the Preachers (2), Feeding the Preachers (3), Final Exposition - Jonah 3-4, First few minutes of talk missing, First of Christ's Signs - John 2, Following Jesus
(Mark 8:31-10:52), Forgiveness, Forgiving from the heart, Four great concerns of the Bishopsgate conference, Francis Schaeffer - a life of connecting, Friends, From Study to pulpit (1), John 18:1-27, From Study to pulpit (2), John 18:28-19:16, From Study to pulpit (3), John 19:16-42, From study to pulpit: Habakkuk 1, From study to pulpit: Habakkuk 2, From study to pulpit: Habakkuk 3, Fulness in Christ, Genesis (1), Genesis (2), Getting in tune with God's global mission, Getting the Gospel Out, God is Judge, God is Rescuer, God keeps His promises, God The Creator, God The Redeemer, God Who Speaks I, God Who Speaks II, God Who Speaks III, God's Building Regulations, God's covenant with man, God's design for human life, God's party invitation - R.S.V.P, God's people transformed by God's word, God's people transforming the world through God's word, God's people under God's word, God's Power to Save, Gods' Plan and Pastors, Goodbye to self-esteem & all that: biblical foundations of identity, Gospel and financial hostility, Gospel and personal hostility, Gospel and secular hostility, Gospel sharing with children, Grace can Wreck a Ministry: A Deep Prayer, Grace can Wreck a Ministry: The Big God of the Bible, Grace can Wreck a Ministry: The Maddening Mercy of God, Grace will bring me home, Grateful Spirit: biblical medicine for grumpy old men & women, Growing as a preacher in the first seven years, Growing as a preacher in the latter years, Growing as a preacher in the middle years, Guarding our hearts, Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk 2, Habakkuk 2, Habakkuk 3, Habakkuk 3, Haggai (1), Haggai (2), Haggai (3), Head and Heart Together, Hebrews (part 1), Hebrews (part 2), Hebrews (part 3), Hebrews 10:1-25, Hebrews 10:26-39, Hebrews 13:7-8, 17: Keep preaching the gospel to yourself, Hebrews 1:1-2:4, Holiness & New Lifestyle, Hope and Experience, Hostile History, How do we fight?, How Do We Train A Christian Life-style? (talk cut short), How Long, O Lord? - The Problem of Pain, How to preach the cross of Jesus, How to preach the identity of Jesus, How to preach the narrative of Jesus, How to preach the teachings of Jesus, How to Survive Local Church Ministry 1, How to Survive Local Church Ministry 2, Humanity and church life, Humanity and church life, Humanity and church life, Humanity and preaching, Hypocrisy and greed, I am the Good Shepherd: John 10, Initiatives in Mission, Interview 1, Interview 2, Interview 3, Interview with John Piper, Interview with Tim Keller, Interview with Tim Keller, Interview: David Cook and David Short, Introduction, Introduction, Introduction & Isaiah 1:1-2, Introduction for Leaders, Introduction to 1 Samuel, Introduction to Mark's gospel, Introduction to Philippians, Is Mark's gospel reliable, Isaiah 1:1-31, Isaiah 66:1-24, Isaiah 6: Why you should go with the gospel, Isaiah: How great is our God (1), Isaiah: How great is our God (2), Isaiah: How great is our God (3), Issac & Jacob - Genesis 23-32, James (1), James (2), James (3), Jesus and the Exile I, Jesus and the Exile II, Jesus As Saviour Of The World, Jesus As Saviour Of The World I, Jesus As Saviour Of The World II, Jesus the Heart of the Bible, Jesus the King (1), Jesus the King (2), Jesus the Son of God, Jesus' authority
(Mark 11:1-13:37), Jesus' death
(Mark 14:1-15:41), Jesus' identity
(Mark 4:35-8:30), Jesus' message
(Mark 1:14-4:34), Jesus' resurrection
(Mark 15:42-16:8), Joel (1), Joel (2), Joel (3), Joel (4), Joel 1:1-2:17, Joel 2:12-32, Joel 3:1-21, John (1), John (2), John (3), John 1, John 5 (1), John 5 (2), Joseph - Genesis 50, Joseph: The Breaking and Making of the Man of God, Joshua (1), Joshua (2), Joshua (3), Joshua (talk 1), Joshua (talk 2), Joshua (talk 3), Joshua 10, Joshua 23, Joshua 5:13-6:27, Judges 10:6-12:7, Judges 3:12-30, Judges 4:1-5:31, Judges on Trial, Justification I, Justification II, Justification III, Justification, Gender and the Apocalypse (1), Justification, Gender and the Apocalypse (2), Keeping going in ministry, Keeping Watch, Knowing Christ, Knowing God's guidance, Knowing our hearts, Knowing Our Idols, Leading like the Master (1), Leading like the Master (2), Leading like the Master (3), Leading through a crisis (1), Leading through a crisis (2), Learning about the Spirit from the African Church, Learning from the apostles: How the New Testament uses the Old, Learning to Lament | Lamentations 1-5, Lecture 1, Lecture 1 - A Matter of Priority, Lecture 10, Lecture 11, Lecture 12, Lecture 1: Using the Key, Lecture 2, Lecture 2, Lecture 3, Lecture 3, Lecture 4, Lecture 4, Lecture 5, Lecture 5, Lecture 6, Lecture 7, Lecture 8, Lecture 9, Lecture II - A Matter of Interpretation, Lecture III, Listening and Looking | Lamentations 1, Living among the pagans: engaging with culture, Living among the pagans: engaging with the lost, Living among the pagans: engaging with the past, Living by the power of the Spirit, Living in a world where life is cheap, Lord of the Sabbath, Luke (talk 1), Luke (talk 2), Luke 12: What gets us up in the morning, Luke 12: What keeps us awake at night, Luke 19:1-10, Luke 24:10-12, Luke 24:13-35, Luke 24:36-53, Luke 5:1-11: Keep preaching the gospel to others, Maintaining momentum in our ministry for Christ, Maintaining momentum in our walk with Christ, Making the argument, Malachi 1:1-5 and 3:13 - 4:3, Malachi 2:10-16, Malachi 2:17 - 3:6, Man's place in God's world, Mark - Exposition 1, Mark - Exposition 2, Mark - Exposition 3, Mark 10, Mark 10:32-52, Mark 12:1-12, Mark 14-15 (1), Mark 14-15 (2), Mark 5:1-20, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8, Mark 8:27-38, Mark 9, Mark 9:30-50, Martin Luther: a pen portrait, Matthew 11:1-19, Matthew 11:20-27, Matthew 11:28-30, Minister's personal life (1), Minister's personal life (2), Ministry & God (1) Romans 8:1-17, Ministry & God (2) Romans 8:18-39, Ministry focus (1), Ministry focus (2), Ministry Focus (2), Ministry focus (3), Ministry Focus (3), Ministry Focus in John (1), Ministry Focus in John (2), Ministry Focus in John (3), Ministry in a changing world (1), Ministry in a changing world (2), Ministry in a changing world (3), Ministry in the City, Ministry marriage, Ministry wives (online) 2021, Mission Themes in Acts (1), Mission Themes in Acts (2), Mission Themes in Acts (3), Music and the Word, Nearing the finish line (1), Nearing the finish line (2), Nearing the finish line (3), New Covenant ministry modelled and described, New Frontiers, Noah and the flood, Omnipotence - Mark 4:35 - 5:43, Online Teaching Morning for Women (Autumn 2023): Job, Opening Address, Opening exposition, Opening exposition, Opening exposition, Opening exposition, Opening Exposition, Opening exposition, Opening exposition, Opening Exposition, Opening exposition, Opening exposition, Opening exposition - Daniel 6, Opening exposition - Ezra 1, Opening exposition - Revelation 12, Opening exposition: John 21, Opening exposition: John 8:12-30, Opening exposition: John 8:31-47, Opening exposition: John 8:48-59, Opening Exposition: Psalm 116, Opening talk - 2 Peter 1:1-11, Ordination for what?, Ordination for whom?, Our God Reigns - Daniel 7, Our God Reigns - Daniel 8, Our God Reigns - Daniel 9, Out of the blocks (1), Out of the blocks (2), Out of the blocks (3), Overview Of Romans, Panel Discussion, Paradise lost, Pardon And Power, Parenting (1), Parenting (2), Party Time, Pastoring Real People, Pastors and their Children, Pastors, Churches & Depression I, Pastors, Churches & Depression II, Paul's 1st recorded sermons, Paul's Prayers 1 - Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul's Prayers 2 - Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul, the Corinthians, & the cross of Christ (1), Paul, the Corinthians, & the cross of Christ (1), Pauls Prayers 3 - Philippians 1:3-11, Pen Portrait - Billy Graham, Pen portrait: Charles Spurgeon, Persevering in women's ministry: maintaining our joy, Persevering in women's ministry: staying theologically sharp, Persevering in women's ministry: work life balance, Persevering with contentment and joy, Persevering with holiness, Persevering with preaching: preaching John's letters, Persevering with the desperate, Persevering with the disobedient, Persevering with the dull, Persuading your audience, Persuasive Preaching, Philemon, Philippians (1), Philippians (2), Philippians (3), Philippians 1, Philippians 2:1-3:11, Philippians 3:12-4:23, Planting Churches: A Gospel Answer I, Planting Churches: A Gospel Answer II, Planting Churches: A Gospel Need? I, Planting Churches: A Gospel Need? II, Plenary Session: Preaching To Pagans I, Plenary Session: Preaching To Pagans II, Plenary Session: Preaching To Pagans III, Pour out your hearts - 1 Samuel 1:1-18, Practical Instructions For Preachers, Pragmatic minimalism, Prayer & Mission I, Prayer & Mission II, Prayer & Mission III, Praying in the power of the Spirit, Preachers and Pressures, Preachers that build (1), Preachers that build (2), Preachers that build (3), Preaching & Praying from the Psalms I, Preaching & Praying from the Psalms II, Preaching & Praying from the Psalms III, Preaching 1 Peter, Preaching 1 Peter, Preaching 1 Peter, Preaching a preacher: 1 & 2 Chronicles (1), Preaching a preacher: 1 & 2 Chronicles (2), Preaching a preacher: 1 & 2 Chronicles (3), Preaching Acts (2), Preaching Acts (3), Preaching and application, Preaching and connecting, Preaching and mission, Preaching and Teaching Christ evangelistically (1), Preaching and Teaching Christ evangelistically (2), Preaching and Teaching Christ from Daniel (1), Preaching and Teaching Christ from Daniel (2), Preaching and Teaching Christ from Proverbs (1), Preaching and Teaching Christ from Proverbs (2), Preaching and Teaching Christ from the Psalms (1), Preaching and Teaching Christ from the Psalms (2), Preaching and the glory of God (1), Preaching and the glory of God (2), Preaching and the glory of God: the ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching apocalyptic literature, Preaching Christ from Acts, Preaching Christ from Old Testament narrative (1), Preaching Christ from the Old Testament (1), Preaching Christ from the Old Testament (2), Preaching Christ in Pastoral Situations, Preaching Foundations (1), Preaching Foundations (2), Preaching from Daniel: Study 1, Preaching from Daniel: Study 2, Preaching from Daniel: Study 3, Preaching From The Prophets I, Preaching From The Prophets II, Preaching From The Prophets III, Preaching I, Preaching II, Preaching in colour: expository application (1), Preaching in colour: expository application (2), Preaching in colour: expository application (3), Preaching in the power of the Spirit, Preaching Isaiah I, Preaching Isaiah II, Preaching Isaiah III, Preaching Isaiah IV, Preaching Isaiah V, Preaching Isaiah VI, Preaching Leviticus, Preaching Luke, Preaching Narrative, Preaching Numbers, Preaching Old Testament story (1), Preaching Old Testament story (1), Preaching Old Testament story (2), Preaching Old Testament story (2), Preaching Old Testament story (3), Preaching Persuasively, Preaching refresher, Preaching refresher, Preaching refresher, Preaching refresher (1), Preaching refresher (1), Preaching refresher (1), Preaching refresher (2), Preaching refresher (2), Preaching refresher (2), Preaching refresher (3), Preaching refresher (3), Preaching refresher (3), Preaching Romans, Preaching Solomon - session 1, Preaching Solomon - session 2, Preaching Solomon - session 3, Preaching that lives and endures today: Its Aims, Preaching that lives and endures today: Its Matter, Preaching that lives and endures today: Its Strategy, Preaching the Christian life - Expositions from 1 Peter (1), Preaching the Christian life - Expositions from 1 Peter (2), Preaching the Christian life - Expositions from 1 Peter (3), Preaching the Epistles (1): Five Questions to Ask, Preaching the Epistles (2): Paul's Biblical Theology Substructure, Preaching the Epistles (3): Something to get you started when you are stuck..., Preaching the Prophets, Preaching the Prophets (1), Preaching the Prophets (2), Preaching the Prophets (3), Preaching the Psalms, Preaching to Masculine hearts, Preaching to masculine hearts, Preaching to Postmoderns, Preaching to Real People, Preaching to the heart (1), Preaching to the heart (2), Preaching to the heart (3), Preaching: Principles & Practice, Pressing On In Christ, Proclaiming Christ, Proclaiming the love of God in a love-sick world, Progress & joy (1), Progress & joy (2), Prophecy in the Church Today, Protestant Identity I, Protestant Identity II, Proverbs: The Wife of Noble Character, Proverbs: Wise Friendship, Psalm 110, Psalm 119 Part 1, Psalm 119 Part 2, Psalm 119 Part 3, Psalm 126, Psalm 137, Psalm 1: Singing about life, Psalm 22, Psalm 23, Psalm 23: Singing about the shepherd, Psalm 24, Psalm 2: Singing about the King, Psalm 30, Psalm 37, Psalm 40, Psalm 45, Psalm 62, Psalm 69, Psalms 1-2, Psalms 42-48, Purpose in Preaching I, Purpose in Preaching II, Q&A, Q&A, Q&A with David Robertson, Q&A with Peter Adam, Q&A with Peter Adam, Question and answer session, Question Time, Question Time with Phillip Jensen - EMA 1986, Questions, Questions, Questions & Answers, Questions & Answers, Questions & Answers, Questions and Answers I & II, Reading for spiritual direction, Real Churches, Real Ministries, Real Ministries I, Real Ministries II, Real Ministries III, Realizing a Reformation, Redemption and Hope, Reforming the Churches, Reforming the Local Church, Rejoice in God's King - 1 Samuel 2:10, Release the word, Releasing the Word / Guarding the pulpit, Remaking a broken world (1), Remaking a broken world (2), Remaking a broken world (3), Removing the veil (1): 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Removing the veil (2): 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Removing the veil (3): 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Restored Fellowship, Rethinking evangelism (1), Rethinking evangelism (2), Rethinking evangelism (3), Rethinking mission (1), Rethinking mission (2), Rethinking mission (3), Revelation (1), Revelation (1), Revelation (2), Revelation (2), Revelation (3), Revelation (3), Revelation 1, Revelation 1-5, Revelation 12, Revelation 15-22, Revelation 21, Revelation 6-14, Review of Mark's gospel, Richard Baxter 1615-1691, Right and wrong fears, Romans 10:1-13, Romans 10:14-21, Romans 11, Romans 11, Romans 11:13-32, Romans 11:15-36, Romans 11:33-36, Romans 12, Romans 12:1, Romans 12:1, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:1-8, Romans 12:14-21, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:9-13, Romans 13, Romans 13, Romans 13:1-14, Romans 14:1 - 15:13, Romans 14:1 - 15:7, Romans 14:13ff, Romans 15:1-13, Romans 15:14-21, Romans 15:22ff, Romans 15:7-13, Romans 16:1-16, Romans 16:17-27, Romans 16:17ff, Romans 16:25-27, Romans 1:1-16, Romans 1:1-17: Keep preaching the gospel to the church, Romans 1:1-7, Romans 1:1-7, Romans 1:16-32, Romans 1:17, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 1:19-32, Romans 1:8-17, Romans 1:8-17, Romans 1:8-17 and 15, Romans 2: 12-29, Romans 2:1-16, Romans 2:1-3:20, Romans 2:1-5, Romans 3: 1-26, Romans 3: 21-31, Romans 3:19-31, Romans 3:19-31, Romans 3:21-31, Romans 3:24, Romans 3:25, Romans 3:25-31, Romans 4: 1-8, Romans 4:1-25, Romans 4:13-25, Romans 4:5-25, Romans 5, Romans 5: 1-12, Romans 5: 1-21, Romans 5:1-11, Romans 5:11, Romans 5:12-21, Romans 5:12-21, Romans 5:19-21, Romans 6, Romans 6:1-14, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 6:15-23, Romans 7-8, Romans 7:1-6, Romans 7:19-25, Romans 7:7-13, Romans 7:7-25, Romans 8 , Romans 8:1-18, Romans 8:10-30, Romans 8:14-39, Romans 8:18-30, Romans 8:18-30, Romans 8:29-30, Romans 8:31-39, Romans 8:31-39, Romans 8:31-39, Romans 8:5-11, Romans 9-11 (1), Romans 9-11 (2), Romans 9:1-33, Romans 9:30 - 10:3, Romans 9:6-24, Romans 9:6-33, Rural ministry, Ruth (1), Ruth (1), Ruth (2), Ruth (2), Ruth (3), Ruth (3), Ruth 1 - Brought Back Empty, Ruth 2-3 - Grace, Faith and Loving Kindness, Ruth 4 - Brought to Fullness, Seminar: A Magical Mystery Tour, Seminar: Expositor As Theologian, Seminar: Going the Distance, Seminar: Hostility from the Pew, Seminar: In word and deed (Mercy Ministries), Seminar: Men and Women in Gospel Ministry, Seminar: Pastor As Theological Teacher, Seminar: Pastors and teachers, Seminar: Penal Substitution, Seminar: Planning A Preaching Programme, Seminar: Preacher and Corporate Prayer, Seminar: Preparing A Congregation For Expository Preaching, Seminar: Reformation and Renewal in Preaching, Seminar: The Biblical Pastor (and his idols!), Seminar: The good, the bad and the ugly, Seminar: The Preacher's Burden, Sermon walk through - Hebrews, Sermon walk through - Isaiah 53, Sermon walk through - John, Serving the Family, Session 1, Session 2, Session I, Session II, Session III, Sheep, Shepherds and the Experience of God's People, Sheep, Shepherds, and the Experience of God's People, Shepherding the flock (panel discussion), Shepherding the Flock I, Shepherding the Flock II, Shepherding the flock: fix your eyes on Jesus, So great a salvation, So many false prophets!, Songs of the heart: Psalm 145, Songs of the heart: Psalm 55, Songs of the heart: Psalm 90, Stand fast in God's Grace (1) - 1 Peter, Stand fast in God's Grace (2) - 1 Peter, Stand fast in God's Grace (3) - 1 Peter, Stand fast in God's Grace (4) - 1 Peter, Staying clear in a pluralistic world, Staying fresh - maintaining our joy amidst the pressures of ministry life, Staying passionate in an apathetic world, Staying pure in a hedonistic world, Strange Fellowship, Strategic Thinking: reflections on Charles Simeon, Strategy for Mission I, Strategy for Mission II, Study 1, Such a great salvation (1), Such a great salvation (2), Such a great salvation (3), Supremacy of Christ, Supremacy of God: The Power, Supremacy of God: The Price, Supremacy of God: The Purpose, Surveying the Scene, Sword of the Spirit I - John Owen on Scripture and Authority, Sword of the Spirit II - John Owen on Scripture in Controversy, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1, Talk 1: Overview, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 2, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3, Talk 3: The Imprecatory Psalms, Talk 4, Talk 4, Talk 4, Talk 4, Talk 5, Talk I, Talk I, Talk II, Talk II, Talk III, Teaching Acts (1), Teaching Acts (2), Teaching Acts (3), Teaching apocalyptic literature: Revelation 1-11, Teaching apocalyptic literature: Revelation 12-22, Teaching Day for Women 2020: Teaching Isaiah (1), Teaching Day for Women 2020: Teaching Isaiah (2), Teaching Day for Women 2020: Teaching Isaiah (3), Teaching Genesis (1), Teaching Genesis (3), Teaching John (1), Teaching John (2), Teaching John (3), Teaching Old Testament Narrative (1), Teaching Old Testament Narrative (2), Teaching Old Testament Narrative (3), Teaching Old Testament Narrative - 1 & 2 Samuel, Teaching the Gospels - Mark, Teaching the Psalms , Teaching the Psalms Q&A, Teaching Wisdom literature, The affections of the preacher, The Apostolic Trilogy, Peter, The Authority of Christ - Mark 1, The beauty and blight of human life, The beauty and blight of human life (2), The Bible in the media, The Book Of Braveheart!, The Character of Perseverance, The Christian Experience, The Christian Experience, The Church of God & The People of God, The Cross and Christian Ministry I, The Cross and Christian Ministry II, The Cross And True Human Identity, The Cross As The Revelation Of God, The Cross As The Work Of God, The Enduring Word, The Enduring Word, The glory of God and practical godliness (1), The glory of God and practical godliness (2), The glory of God and practical godliness (3), The glory of God in the ministry home (1), The glory of God in the ministry home (2), The glory of God in the ministry home (3), The God Of Creation, The God Of The Bush, The God of the Bush, The God Of The Hill, The God of the Hill, The God Of The Tent, The God of the Tent, The God who makes things new, The goodness and severity of God, The greatest test of faith, The heart and biblical counselling, The heart and transformation, The heart of the preacher, The Hope: The Man Of Heaven I, The Hope: The Man Of Heaven II, The Hope: The Man Of Heaven III, The Key to Romans, The Kingdom of God, The law's foundation for the prophectic proclamation, The life of Samuel 1, The life of Samuel 2, The life of Samuel 3, The Living Word, The logic and dynamics of Bible delight (I), The logic and dynamics of Bible delight (II), The Making of the "Man of God" I, The Making of the "Man of God" II, The Making of the "Man of God" III, The Man of God, The Man of God (1), The Man of God (2), The Man of God (3), The Marks of False Religion, The melodic line, The ministry of the Spirit in the local church, The ministry of the word and lessons I am learning..., The mission of the church: living the gospel, The mission of the church: proclaiming the gospel, The mystery of the gospel's growth, The New Hermeneutic 1: Words and the Tower of Blah, The New Hermeneutic 2: Signs, gaps and word events, The Old Testament Christian Experience, The Old Testament Christian Experience, The Paradoxes Of Preaching, The pastor and church evangelism, The pastor and personal evangelism, The Pastor's Joy, The Pastor's Love, The Power of Jesus Revealed, The practical preacher (1), The practical preacher (2), The practical preacher (3), The Prayer of Elijah - 1 Kings 18:36-37, The preacher and his family (1), The preacher and his family (2), The preacher and his family (3), The preacher and the heart (1), The preacher and the heart (2), The Preachers Confidence, The Problem of Evil, The Real Temptation of Christ, The Resurrection Miracle Today - Luke 24, The Reward of Perseverance, The Scope of Perseverance, The story of Elisha (1), The story of Elisha (2), The Sufficiency of Jesus (2) - John 6:28-51, The Sufficiency of Jesus (2) - John 6:28-51, The Sufficiency of Jesus (3) - John 6:52-71, The Temptation of Joseph, The theology of the cross, The Trinity (1), The Trinity (2), The Trinity (3), The Trinity I, The Trinity II, The Trinity III, The true grace of God (1), The true grace of God (2), The true grace of God (3), The Truth: A Man Of Dust I, The Truth: A Man Of Dust II, The Two Faces of Jesus (1), The Two Faces of Jesus (2), The Two Faces of Jesus (3), The uses of suffering in Christian ministry, The Way Ahead, The Way of the Word, The Whole Bible for the Whole Christian I, The Whole Bible for the Whole Christian II, The Whole Bible for the Whole Christian III, The Word and Worship 1, The Word and Worship 2, The Word at Work: Complementarian Ministry, The Word at Work: Discipling, The Word at Work: Preaching, The Word one to one, The Word, Spirit and Power of God, The work of the Spirit in the life of George Whitefield, The worship that Jesus makes possible, Theological colleges, Theological Foundations for Preachers (I), Theological Foundations for Preachers (II), Theological Foundations for Preachers (III), Think and Submit | Lamentations 3:1-39, This Glorious Ministry, Threatened Fellowship, Titus (1), Titus (2), Titus (3), Titus (4), Titus 1, Titus 1, Titus 2, Titus 3, Training Young People To Be Evangelists, True Catholicity in Ministry and Worship (1), True Catholicity in Ministry and Worship (2), True Catholicity in Ministry and Worship (3), Trust in the Lord - 1 Samuel 1:19-2:11, Truth out of fashion: 2 Peter 1, Turning A Traditional Church Around (Cut short- 12 Minutes Long), Two Beliefs and Two Loves - Talk 1, Two Beliefs and Two Loves - Talk 2, Two Beliefs and Two Loves - Talk 3, Two Beliefs and Two Loves - Talk 4, Union With Christ (1): 2 Corinthians 5:16ff, Union With Christ (2): Romans 6, Union With Christ (3): Colossians 3, Union With Christ (4): Colossians 3, Unit 1, Unit 10, Unit 11, Unit 12, Unit 13, Unit 14, Unit 15, Unit 16, Unit 17, Unit 18, Unit 19, Unit 2 Talk 1, Unit 2 Talk 2, Unit 20, Unit 21, Unit 22, Unit 23, Unit 24, Unit 3 Talk 1, Unit 3 Talk 2, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8, Unit 9, Victorious Values, Walking by Faith: Numbers (1), Walking by Faith: Numbers (2), Walking by Faith: Numbers (3), Warning! De-railments Ahead!, Watch your life and doctrine: 1 Timothy, We Do Not..!, We Must be Pragmatic!, Welcome and introduction, What are the risks?, What Constitutes Authentic Christian Evangelism? (1), What Constitutes Authentic Christian Evangelism? (2), What goes on before the sermon?, What is an evangelical ministry?, What is an evangelical?, What is Biblical Spirituality (1), What is Biblical Spirituality (2), What It Means To Walk With God, What Kind of King? II, What Kind of King? III, What Kind of King? IV, What Kind of King?: Looking for a Leader, What next for the Proclamation Trust?, What really is worship?, What will happen to God? (1), What will happen to God? (2), What will happen to God? (3), What's gone wrong with the world, What's Needed for the Future?, Where is God?, Where is he?, Who and Where, Who decides what the Bible...?, Why Bishops are Deacons, Why go to 'Church'?, Why Is Christianity Unique?, Will we last? - Enduring in ministry, Will we risk? - Venturing in ministry, Wisdom and family, Wisdom and guidance, Wisdom and its beginning, Wisdom for ministers from Proverbs 1, Wisdom for ministers from Proverbs 2, Wise as Serpents & Innocent as Doves - Getting Political, Witnesses, Women in ministry, Women in ministry, Women in ministry, Women's ministry: keeping evangelism on the agenda, Women's ministry: keeping evangelism on the agenda, Word and Spirit in John I, Word and Spirit in John II, Work of God Displayed - John 9, Work of the Spirit in the life of the preacher, Work of the Spirit in the Old Testament, Workshop - 2 Corinthians, Workshop 1: Preparing The Text, Workshop 3: Preparing The Person, Workshop II: Preparing The Delivery, Writing a bible talk (1), Writing a bible talk (2), Zechariah 1-3: The God of Glory, Zechariah 4-6: Not by might, Zechariah 7-8: Love, truth & peace and Zephaniah 3 - The John 3:16 of the Old Testament
(Click a title to go to a talk)
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Talks on a bible book
We have talks on Whole bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude and Revelation
Talks within a bible book are listed by chapter - scroll down to find talks on a particular chapter.
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Talks by speakers
We have talks by Peter Adam, Remi Adedire, Eric Alexander, Sam Allberry, Jonty Allcock, Lewis Allen, Martin Allen, Donald Allister, Trevor Archer, Carolyn Ash, Christopher Ash, Mark Ashton, Andrew Atherstone, Shaun Atkins, Simon Austen, Simon Austin, Peter Baker, Monty Barker, Paul Barnett, Ian Barter, Alistair Begg, Lindsay Benn, Wallace Benn, Rupert Bentley-Taylor, Ann Benton, John Benton, Graham Beynon, Piers Bickersteth, Kirsten Birkett, Paul Blackham, John Blanchard, Henri Blocher, Peter Bolt, Stephen Boon, Richard Borgonon, Steve Brady, Gerald Bray, Jenny Bray, Jerald Bray, Ed Brooks, Ken Brownell, Efrem Buckle, Mike Cain, Don Carson, Bryan Chapell, John Chapman, Tim Chester, Jason Clarke, Roy Clements, Richard Coekin, John Coles, David Cook, Richard Coombs, Ben Cooper, Andrew Cornes, Charlotte Cornes, Peter Cotterell, Geoffrey Cox, Liz Cox, Richard Cunningham, Gaius Davies, Gwilym Davies, Mark Dever, Kevin DeYoung, John Dickson, Denesh Divyanathan, Mervyn Eloff, Dick Farr, David Fenton, Sinclair Ferguson, Geraint Fielder, Anthony Fisher, Declan Flanagan, Matt Fuller, Bob Fyall, Paul Gardiner, Paul Gardner, Ian Garrett, Simon Gathercole, Andy Gemmill, David Gibb, David Gibson, Mike Gilbart-Smith, Dave Gobbett, Liam Goligher, Chris Green, Tim Green, Jonathan Griffiths, Michael Griffiths, Wayne Gruden, Os Guinness, Nancy Guthrie, Scott Hafeman, Ian Hamilton, James Hamilton, Glynn Harrison, Clare Heath-Whyte, David Helm, James Hely Hutchinson, David Holloway, Marcus Honeysett, Kent Hughes, Reuben Hunter, David Jackman, Peter Jensen, Phillip Jensen, Doug Johnson, Johnny Juckes, Walter Kaiser Jr, Peter Kamau, Tim Keller, Carolyn Lacey, Carl Laferton, Jonathan Lamb, Jane Leggett, John Lennox, Edward Lobb, Dick Lucas, John MacArthur, Carine MacKenzie, Angus Macleay, Wanyeki Mahaini, Paul Mallard, Simon Manchester, Charles Marnham, Tricia Marnham, Julia Marsden, Andy Mason, Leonie Mason, Michael McClenahan, Alister McGrath, Tim McMahon, Simon Medcroft, Daf Meirion Jones, Rachel Menon, David Meredith, Rachel Meynell, Steve Midgley, Gary Millar, Bruce Milne, Doug Moo, Josh Moody, Phil Moon, Justin Mote, Alec Motyer, Ken Moulder, Mike Neville, Pete Nicholas, Kathleen Nielson, Larry Norman, Mike Ovey, Jim Packer, Alasdair Paine, Hugh Palmer, Trevor Pearce, Paul Perkin, David Peterson, James Philip, William Philip, John Piper, Neil Powell, Richard Pratt, Jonathan Prime, Judith Prior, Dale Ralph Davis, Mike Reeves, Andrew Reid, Adrian Reynolds, Fiona Robb, Vaughan Roberts, David Robertson, Palmer Robertson, Alex Ross, Daphne Ross, Jane Ruffer, Andrew Sach, John Salkeld, Jenny Salt, John Samuel, Carrie Sandom, Pete Sanlon, Andrew Saville, Rob Scott, David Searle, David Shaw, Ed Shaw, Barbara Sherwood, David Short, Richard Simpkin, Charlie Skrine, Rachel Sloan, Lizzy Smallwood, Steve Smith, Karen Soole, Dan Steel, John Stevens, John Stott, Dan Strange, Nigel Styles, Robin Sydserff, William Taylor, Michael Teutsch, Mark Thompson, Rico Tice, Steve Timmis, Melvin Tinker, Andrea Trevenna, Paul Tripp, Carl Trueman, Simon Vibert, Terry Virgo, Giles Walter, Tim Ward, Bruce Ware, Neil Watkinson, Barry Webb, Robin Weekes, David Wells, Caroline West, Paul Weston, Amy Wicks, Garry Williams, John Woodhouse, John Woodside, Chris Wright, John Wyatt and Jago Wynne
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Talks from conferences
We have talks from Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2005, Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2006, Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2008, Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2009, Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2011, Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2012, Autumn Joint Ministers Conference 2013, Autumn Lectures 1991, Autumn Lectures 1994, Autumn Lectures 1995, Autumn Lectures 1999, Autumn Ministers 2016, Autumn Ministers 2018, Autumn Ministers 2019, Autumn Ministers Conference 2014, Autumn Ministers Conference 2015, Bishopsgate Conference 1991, Bishopsgate Conference 1992, Bishopsgate Conference 1993, Book in a Day 2019 - Joel, Book in a Day 2020 - 1 John, Christ Triumphant, Cornhill Evening Lectures, EMA 2015, EMA 2016, EMA 2017, EMA 2018, EMA 2019, EMA 2020, EMA 2021, EMA 2022, EMA 2023, Epository Lectures 1992, Equipped, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1984, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1985, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1986, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1987, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1988, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1989, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1990, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1991, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1992, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1993, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1994, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1995, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1996, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1997, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1998, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 1999, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2000, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2001, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2002, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2003, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2004, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2005, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2006, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2007, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2008, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2009, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2010, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2011, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2012, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2013, Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2014, Evangelical Students Conference 1991, Expository Lectures (Sheffield) 1990, Expository Lectures 1988, Expository Lectures 1989, Expository Lectures 1992, Expository Lectures 1995, Expository Lectures 2002, From My Study to Yours, Genesis - The Seed-Bed of the Bible, God and the Transgender debate, God's Truth For A Doubting Generation, Hebrews Expository Lectures 1987, His Word In My Hands, Irish Preachers Conference 2000, Joshua, Lets Preach 2019, Men in Ministry 2022, Ministers Wives Weekend Conference 2019, Ministry wives (online) event 2021, Ministry Wives Weekend Conference 2018, NIMA 2006, Online event: Preaching Solomon, Pilgrim Hall Summer Conference 1996, Preaching The Prophet Zechariah, Preaching The Psalms, Scottish Ministry Assembly 99, Senior Ministers Conference 1993, Senior Ministers Conference 1994, Senior Ministers Conference 2000 (2), Senior Ministers Conference 2001 (1), Senior Ministers Conference 2001 (2), Senior Ministers Conference 2002 (1), Senior Ministers Conference 2002 (2), Senior Ministers Conference 2003 (1), Senior Ministers Conference 2003 (2), Senior Ministers Conference 2006, Senior Ministers Conference 2007, Senior Ministers Conference 2008, Senior Ministers Conference 2009, Senior Ministers Conference 2012, Senior Ministers Conference 2013, Servants of the Word - Volume 2, Spring Ministers 2019, Spring Senior Ministers 2017, Spring Senior Ministers Conference 2014, Spring Senior Ministers Conference 2015, Spring Wives 2015, Spring Wives 2018, Spring Wives 2019, Spring Wives 2020, Spring Wives Conference 2004, Spring Wives Conference 2006, Spring Wives Conference 2008, Spring Wives Conference 2009, Spring Wives Conference 2011, Spring Wives Conference 2013, Spring Wives Conference 2014, Spring Wives Conference 2016, Spring Younger Ministers Conference 2014, Spring Younger Ministers Conference 2015, Spring Younger Ministers conference 2016, Studies in John's Gospel, Studies In Luke, Summer Wives 2016, Summer Wives 2018, Summer wives 2019, Summer Wives Conference 2006, Summer Wives Conference 2008, Summer Wives Conference 2009, Summer Wives Conference 2011, Summer Wives Conference 2013, Summer Wives Conference 2014, Summer Wives Conference 2015, Teaching Day for Women, Teaching day for Women 2018, Teaching Day for Women 2019, Teaching Day for Women 2020, Teaching day for Women March 2021, Teaching day for Women November 2021, Teaching Morning for Women , Teaching the Gospels - Mark, That You May Believe, The Power of God - Vol 1, The Power of God - Vol 2, The Power of God - Vol 3, Theological Students Conference 1992, Theological Students Conference 1994, Theological Students Conference 1995, Theological Students Conference 1996, Theological Students Conference 1997, Theological Students Conference 1998, Theological Students Conference 1999, Theological Students Conference 2000, Theological Students Conference 2001, Theological Students Conference 2002, What is Biblical Ministry?, Women in Ministry (online) event 2021, Women In Ministry 2005, Women in Ministry 2006, Women in Ministry 2008, Women in Ministry 2009, Women in Ministry 2010, Women in Ministry 2012, Women in Ministry 2013, Women in Ministry 2018, Women in Ministry 2019, Women in Ministry 2020, Women in Ministry 2022, Women in Ministry 2024, Women in Ministry Conference 2014, Women in Ministry Conference 2015, Women in Ministry Conference 2016, Younger Ministers Conference - Spring 2003, Younger Ministers Conference 1995, Younger Ministers Conference 1996, Younger Ministers Conference 1998, Younger Ministers Conference 1999, Younger Ministers Conference 2000, Younger Ministers Conference 2001, Younger Ministers Conference 2002, Younger Ministers Conference 2005, Younger Ministers Conference 2006, Younger Ministers Conference 2008, Younger Ministers Conference 2009, Younger Ministers Conference 2010, Younger Ministers Conference 2012 and Younger Ministers Conference 2013
Cornhill
Applications
strongly encourage all prospective students to visit us for a day to get an idea of how the course works and whether it is suitable for you. To arrange a visit, please contact the Cornhill
the course runs Term dates for 2022-23 academic year Spring term 2023:Monday 09 January - Friday 31 March 2023Half term holidays: Monday 13 February - Friday 17 February Summer term
Cornhill
Foundation Year 1 (F1)
is a one-day-per-week course that lasts one year (on Mondays or Tuesdays). It is taught chiefly through lectures, supported by small group interaction. This is similar in level
those students who are not based in the UK we offer an online alternative for Foundation Year 1, called âF1iâ. This course follows the same structure as the F1 course consisting of
Cornhill
Foundation Year 2 (F2)
is a one-day-per-week course that lasts one year (on Wednesdays). It assumes that someone has already completed F1, and deliberately extends that learning. It feels like âa step
F1i students will be able to continue into F2i. This course follows the same structure as the F2 course consisting of lectures and small group teaching practice. The syllabus
Cornhill
Core
Core is aimed at the aspiring lifetime Bible teacher or preacher. It lasts for one year on two days each week (on Thursdays and Fridays) It is for both men and women who, having completed
Cornhill
Cornhill Plus
Plus, though at a higher academic level, is built on the same theological convictions as the rest of the course: that the Scriptures themselves are the God-given means of equipping
About
Contact
Results from the contact us section
General enquiries
020 7407
Contact details
Proclamation Trust 116-118 Walworth Road London SE17
Cornhill Training course enquiries
enquiries relating to admissions, please contact the Cornhill registrar: cornhill.admissions@proctrust.org.uk 030 030 23450 If you are a current student, or are coming to lecture or lead a
Conference enquiries
020 7407
About
About
Results from the about us section
What we believe
Vision The fundamental conviction underlying the work of The Proclamation Trust is that when the Bible is taught God himself speaks, and his voice is heard clearly today. The main aim of the
Leadership team
Leadership Team Nigel Styles has been the Director of the PT Cornhill Training Course since September 2016. He was previously senior minister of Emmanuel Church, Bramcote and Director of Training
History
it all began In the summer of 1981, 40 men engaged in a preaching ministry gathered at a conference centre (Fairmile Court) in Surrey for a conference on 'expository preaching'. Dick Lucas, then
Giving to the Proclamation Trust
are thankful to God for His continued goodness in providing for us. Operating costs are kept under tight control, but while operating out of London has many advantages, it is also very expensive.
Our convictions
Plus students had an excellent time at their second residential of the year. We spent five wonderful days at Ashburnham Place in East Sussex, soaking in the beauty of the grounds,
Proclamation Trust serves the local church by promoting expository Bible preaching and teaching in the UK and further afield through the Cornhill Training Course and our programme of events and
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Navigation
I was asked by a friend to join her at the Proclamation Trust Women in Ministry conference in January 2024 I had a few reservations. Probably the most significant was the fear that
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are delighted to announce that Kirsten Guthrie has been appointed Assistant Director of Womenâs Ministry and will be joining the team, three days a week, from 1st September 2024. She will
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twentyfourteen
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From Paris with love
come all the way from Paris?!â, she exclaimed. I grinned, failing to hide my enthusiasm âItâs not that far.â I fooled no one. In a bright room, round tables
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Cornhill: A life-changing experience
wonder what you imagine when someone tells you they had a life-changing experience? I bet itâs not this. And yet â“ what Iâm doing now really is transformational. I am
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Tim Keller
Keller, who died a few days ago, is now experiencing the truth he articulated - that âall death can do to Christians is make their lives infinitely betterâ! He was a good friend of
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‘Tis the season to book a conference’
OFFER: £40 off when you book both a residential conference and a three-day EMA ticket on or before Tuesday 29th November. Our residential conferences are held in comfortable
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HM Queen Elizabeth II
the last seventy years, at 3pm on Christmas Day, millions of us have stopped our festivities for âThe Queenâ. Year after year, we listened as she spoke out bravely to millions about
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A sad farewell (but not till next summer)
four hectic and energetic years as Director of Conferences and Resources, Jon Gemmell will be moving on from PT next summer. Jon, Aileen and baby Isaac will return to Scotland (where they were
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ReadMark
great new Bible Study Resource... A new resource written by Robin Sydserff ReadMark is a Bible Study Resource that has been developed over a number of years at Chalmers Church in Edinburgh.
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Cornhill 2020-21 will be an online course
have taken the decision that PT Cornhill will take place entirely online, for the coming academic year (2020-21). We know that this is a period of great uncertainty about the future, not least
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Podcast - Are Sermons Necessary?
is a podcast recorded at Moore College Sydney. In it, Chase Kuhn (Director of CCL) and Nigel Styles (Director of PT Cornhill London) discuss the question, 'Are sermons necessary?'
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Cornhill Missions 2020: Frimley Green
team of four of us spent a week with the church family at St Andrewâs Frimley Green. Despite being a fairly small church, there is lots going on each week at St Andrewâs like toddler
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Cornhill Mission 2020: Exeter University
early February a team of thirteen intrepid Cornhillers, led by Andrew Sach, journeyed down to Exeter. There, we supported the Exeter University Evangelical Christian Union (ECU) in running a week
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Cornhill Missions 2020: SJWRBC
evangelism. Few phrases instil such a fear of social awkwardness and uncertainty in Christians. Rejection, being outwitted by a total stranger and literally jumping into the unknown within a
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Cornhill Missions 2020: Kathmandu
always wanted to visit Nepal. Mountains, fresh air, stars at nightâ¦what could be better? At the start of Feb 2020 I finally made it there. I didnât see a single mountain or night
are delighted to announce that the Revd Dr Ben Cooper will join the PT Cornhill teaching staff in September 2020. Since 2010 Ben has been Minister for Training at Christ Church Fulwood,
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Belgium Bible Convention 2019
weekend [4-6th October] we are running our second Belgium Bible Convention in Brussels. This initiative aims to equip and help people handle their Bibles well and enjoy their Bibles more. It
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Praying for PT.
you so much for your continued partnership in the gospel. If you had some time this week either individually or as churches would you pray for us at PT? Here are some specific prayer
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Flourish - Lydia Brownback
How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus In the age of âself-helpâ and âself-careâ, Lydia Brownbackâs latest book is definitely not one of
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Indonesian Ephesians...
are so excited that our Teaching Ephesians book has just been published in Indonesia. We are so thankful to our friends at UFM and also Langham for making this possible. As always we want to thank
another book on Women! You may exclaim? But this one is well worth reading; even if you are a man! Kathleen is a very able Bible teacher who loves Godâs word and is passionate about
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Neil & Nigel on International Adventures...
Styles (Cornhill Director) and Neil Watkinson (International Director) are away on an adventure, please pray for them. They are away this week in a majority-Muslim country running a preaching
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Two Christmas Giveaway Books....
news, great joy (Evangelistic Christmas Booklet) by William Taylor This is a short and clear gospel explanation which expounds the message of Christmas from Luke 2:10-11. William has three
our Autumn Ministers Conference 2018 at the beginning of this month we were great blessed by two talks from Andy Mason on the subject of Love and Joy in pastoral ministry. They were
we are discouraged by the state of the gospel in the UK. Churches closing, a hostile public square and a cultural drift away from Biblical norms to name but a few of the signs. However,
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Cornhill 2018/19 - We're off and running...
week is the first week of the new year at the PT Cornhill Training Course in London. It has been great to see all the new 'F1' Monday and Tuesday students arrive and begin to settle in.
practice of personal Bible study seems sadly to be on the decline in many of our churches. So, as pastors, we need to be aware of good quality resources to stimulate the individual members of
of Exodus â“ Andrew Wilson and Alastair Roberts The message of Echoes of Exodus really reverberates. The basic premise is that the Exodus is the overture of the Bible, and
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Playlist - Summer Wives
is the Playlist from our recent Summer Wives Conference: Session 1: Awake, Awake O Zion - Nathan Fellingham There is a Hope - Mark Edwards & Stuart Townend Session 2:
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Carolyn Ash & Summer Wives...
recent Summer Wives Conference was the last Summer Conference that Captain Carolyn (Ash) will head up. Carolyn has laboured incredibly hard in ensuring that these conferences are an
are so thankful to the Lord for the tremendous influx of Cornhill applications for September. There is an amazing array of applications from students brimming with potential. The office
2018
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EMA 2018 - Music
of many highlights at EMA 2018: The Unsearchable Riches, was singing together. Here is a recent blogpost containing the setlist of everything that was sung at EMA
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Mannequin Challenge Promo Video...
our new Mannequin Challenge Promo Video for EMA 2018 here There are just 27 days until our flagship, Evangelical Ministry Assembly Conference 2018, at the Barbican Centre. The
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Preacher's Profile [David Meredith]
is the sixth in our Preacherâs Profile Series. This time we asked David Meredith, the Mission Director for the Free Church of Scotland some questions about his life and
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Imposters 3/3
the same way Morocco states in the Merchant of Venice, 'that all that glitters is not gold', Mike Gilbart-Smith wrote a brilliant article for 9 Marks, showing that not everything called
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Imposters 2/3
the same way Morocco states in the Merchant of Venice, 'that all that glitters is not gold', Mike Gilbart-Smith wrote a brilliant article for 9 Marks, showing that not everything called
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Imposters 1/3
the same way Morocco states in the Merchant of Venice, 'that all that glitters is not gold', Mike Gilbart-Smith wrote a brilliant article for 9 Marks, showing that not everything called
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Report - Spring Wives 2018 [Carolyn Lacey]
week I had the privilege of being with 100 or so other ministry wives at the PT Spring Wivesâ Conference at Hothorpe Hall. This was my 18th PT conference and, as always, I loved
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Songs from Spring Wives 2018
are always a lot of people of people who ask for a list of the songs from our conferences. Here is the song list from Spring Wives 2018 from last week. Behold the Power of His
trustees of The Proclamation Trust are delighted to announce that Carrie Sandom will be working for the Trust full-time from September. Carrie has been our part-time Director of Women's
Core (final year) Cornhill Students recently went on Missions mostly in the UK but also overseas. It is a chance for them to experience different ministry contexts and be blessed by a local
Core (final year) Cornhill Students recently went on Missions mostly in the UK but also overseas. It is a chance for them to experience different ministry contexts and be blessed by a local
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Nepal - Cornhill Mission 4/7
Core (final year) Cornhill Students recently went on Missions mostly in the UK but also overseas. It is a chance for them to experience different ministry contexts and be blessed by a local
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St. Anne's Limehouse - Cornhill Missions 3/7
Core (final year) Cornhill Students recently went on Missions mostly in the UK but also overseas. It is a chance for them to experience different ministry contexts and be blessed by a local
Core (final year) Cornhill Students recently went on Missions mostly in the UK but also overseas. It is a chance for them to experience different ministry contexts and be blessed by a local
Core (final year) Cornhill Students recently went on Missions mostly in the UK but also overseas. It is a chance for them to experience different ministry contexts and be blessed by a local
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Down not Out - [Chris Cipollone]
is a book written not by a Psychologist but by a sufferer â“ a Christian sufferer. Cipollone is a Christian Minister who has experienced and continues to live with anxiety and
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Preacher's Profile [Nigel Styles]
is the fifth in our Preacher's Profile Series. This time we asked Nigel Styles, the PT Director of Cornhill some questions about his life and preaching ministry. Since April 2016,
is like skiing... This new book from Yancey Arrington, teaching pastor at Clear Creek Community Church in Houston, is a fresh, clear and well written book on the delivery of a
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Wednesday is for Women's Ministry (Part 4)
Sandom is the Director of Womenâs Ministry at The Proclamation Trust. I asked her a few questions about Womenâs Ministry. Here is part 4 of our 4 part series, Wednesday is
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Women in Ministry 2018 [Alice Cornes]
Cornes works for St Philemonâs Church, Toxteth, Liverpool. The first thing I did when I came home from the PT Women in Ministry conference was to put the dates of the 2019 conference
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Music from Women in Ministry 2018
were many requests regarding the songs that we sung at WiM '18. Below find a list of all the songs from all the main sessions Monday (5pm) Who has held the oceans in his hands (Behold our
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Wednesday is for Women's Ministry (Part 3)
Sandom is the Director of Womenâs Ministry at The Proclamation Trust. I asked her a few questions about Womenâs Ministry. Here is part 3 of our 4 part series, Wednesday is
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Preacher's Profile Vaughan Roberts
is the fourth in our Preachers Profile Series. This time we asked Vaughan Roberts questions about his life and preaching ministry. Vaughan Roberts studied law at Cambridge University
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Wednesday is for Women's Ministry (Part 2)
Sandom is the Director of Womenâs Ministry at The Proclamation Trust. I asked her a few questions about Womenâs Ministry. Here is part 2 of our 4 part series, Wednesday is
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We Need You...
Proclamation Trust has an urgent need for a receptionist to come and work in our busy central London office on Borough High Street, you will be the first point of contact for most
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Wednesday is for Women's Ministry (Part 1)
Sandom is the Director of Women's Ministry at The Proclamation Trust. I asked her a few questions about Women's Ministry. Here is part 1 of our 4 part series, Wednesday is for
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Preachers Profile: Melvin Tinker
is the third in our Preachers Profile Series. This time we asked Melvin Tinker questions about his life and preaching ministry. Melvin is the vicar of St. John, Newland in Hull. He has
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Tumbling Sky - [Matt Searles]
short new devotional book on the Psalms from Matt Searles is wonderfully honest, biblically potent and deeply pastoral. It is not triumphalist superficiality to 'propel' you into your day,
8-13 Nov Carrie Sandom (Director of Womenâs Ministry) will be in Dubai leading a Workshop on Biblical Exposition (WBE) Â in partnership with the Charles Simeon Trust. Women from 20+
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Preacher's Profile: Paul Rees
is the second post in our Preacher's Profile Series. This time we asked Paul Rees questions about his life and preaching ministry. Paul is the Lead Pastor of Charlotte Chapel in the city
India, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Togo. Just a few of the nations visited by those who gathered for the PT Cross Cultural
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Transgender - [Vaughan Roberts]
is a very short book (67 pages) and aims to âgive you an accessible introduction to the many questions that surround the transgender issue, as we hold our questions up to the big story of
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Love Story - [Glen Scrivener]
Story ⓠThe Myth that really happened - Glen Scrivener (reviewed by R. Brown on 9/10/17) This short accessible book presents the Easter Story as a 'True Love Story' or 'The Myth
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Preacher's Profile: Chris Green
is a new series we are running on the Proclaimer Blog. We are asking different preachers questions about their life and ministry: Chris Green is the vicar of St. James, Muswell Hill in
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With Added Plussness
week I had the tremendous privilege of getting to go on the Cornhill Plus Conference. This is a four day conference which kicks off the beginning of every new Cornhill Plus year. It is an
September 28th to October 2nd, two of our trustees of PT, John Samuel and David Jackman plan to be in Bielice in Southern Poland for an introductory preaching conference. This will be the third
March this year, PT's International Director, Neil Watkinson, visited five countries in Southern and Eastern Africa, to look at various preaching and Bible training colleges and
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Dealing with Disappointment - [John Hindley]
by the same author as the excellent Serving without Sinking & You Can Really Grow. Dealing with Disappointment takes an honest look at an issue that faces many, if not all,
a Tsunami hits the tide goes out a long way. When you see the tide go out it is time to get ready for the wave to hit. All too often the Christian church has waited for the wave to hit
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God in Public [N.T. Wright]
God in Public, the eminent New Testament scholar and former Bishop of Durham, Professor N.T. Wright attempts to utilise the Christian gospel for the political challenges of the modern
Garden, The Curtain and The Cross is a wonderful, child friendly Bible overview explaining that it is wonderful to live with God. From before the beginning to the hope of the gospel it teaches
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God's very Good Idea - [Trillia Newbell]
you ever thought about teaching your children about the doctrine of humanity? You should! If you want to then God's very Good Idea is a wonderful place to start. It is a fantastic
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The One O'Clock Miracle - [Alison Mitchell]
One O' Clock miracle is a marvelous retelling of the miracle recorded in John 4, where Jesus heals the official's son by the power of his Word from a great distance. The book is simple,
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The Storm That Stopped [Alison Mitchell]
children's books are a wonderful resource to get into the hands of families in your church. When bedtime stories are the highlight of the evening and the words and pictures generate a
series 'Questions Christians Ask' is absolute dynamite. These short accessible books written by an array of stellar authors offer both digestible systematic theology and wonderful pastoral
away at the end of the New Testament, John's letters are some of the less preached-on bits of the Bible and may be unfamiliar even to people who have been Christians for many years. If so,
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Discover - Rediscovering Joy [Tim Chester]
short book provides a clear and engaging exposition of Galatians by drawing parallels with The Reformers who stood against the falsehood of legalistic religion and for the return to the gospel
week I spent 4 days at Hothorpe Hall at the PT Summer Wives Conference. [The annual residential PT for wives who have done 7 years or less in ministry] Driving up from the centre of London I
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Get it - With Him (Ken Smith)
this very readable little book, Ken Smith seeks to convince his readers of the virtues and indeed the importance of discipleship. It is ideally suited for pastors and ministers, though itâs
broken people are not loved because they are attractive, they are attractive because they are loved.â This, says Mike Reeves is the central rediscovery made by Martin Luther, five
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A Shining Book - A New Day (Emma Scrivener)
is a unique book which speaks the good news of the gospel into painful heart issues with raw honesty, grace and compassion. This is much more than one extra-ordinary womanâs story of
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Photo Montage of EMA 2017
is a photo montage of an amazing 3 days we spent at the Barbican together between Tuesday 27th-29th June. [embed]https://vimeo.com/223819409[/embed] Thanks so much to everyone who
childrenâs book that uses rhyme to explain the good news of the gospel around four focus words of exclamation. The author tells an abbreviated story of the bible by highlighting: Creation
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The Art of Turning - A Little Page Turner...
DeYoung's new little book 'The Art of Turning from sin to Christ, A joyfully clear conscious,' is a little book that fills a big gap in contemporary Christian literature. As Kevin clearly
a small (almost pocket size) biography, Andy Johnston has done a remarkable job of packing in a wealth of historical nuggets and theological reflections on the life of Martin Luther. The prospect
is a short, readable and insightful book about One to One evangelism and discipleship through the eyes of Dawson Trotman. Dawson Trotman founded and directed The Navigators from 1933-56 when he
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10 out of 10 for Luther and the 9.5 Theses
Brownell's (East London Tabernacle) book, Luther and the 9.5 Theses is a little gem of a book. 100 small pages of church history coupled with compelling contemporary application and
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There is such a thing as a free lunch...
for EMA 2017Â - we are holding a Newcomers Reception at lunchtime on the first day of the EMAÂ (Tues 27th June). It can be unnerving turning up to a big conference not knowing many
just under 100 âyounger ministersâ in a conference centre for the best part of a week and what do you get? Strutting stallions? Ministry-jostling? Thankfully not. Here are 5 blessings
are looking for a full-time person as maternity cover for our Events Manager The post is a maternity cover contract. It is a genuine occupational requirement that the office holder be in
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Welcome to Jon Gemmell
delighted that Jon Gemmell has joined us as Associate Director for Conferences and Resources. Jon was at the younger ministers' conference last week and is in the office from this week. Jon
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Cornhill next year
of our plans for the future of Cornhill are now online. At the thanksgiving service for 25 years of Cornhill I outlined the plans and the thinking behind them - you can watch the video
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Past, present, future
Christopher Ash's short exposition from the Cornhill 25 and Counting thanksgiving
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Cornhill: looking back
excerpt from the Cornhill 25 and Counting celebration last week. David Jackman interviews some previous students, together with some videos from former students who are now
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Cornhill: how it all began
the next few days we'll be posting video highlights from the service of thanksgiving for the 25th anniversary of the Cornhill Training Course, held last week. First, here's a brief interview
pray for the Autumn Ministers conference which began yesterday. Christopher Ash is speaking on Ruth, and I'm speaking on Principles of Application. Plus a couple of sessions from Vaughan
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We're recruiting...
are looking for a full-time person as maternity cover for PA to Director of Ministry and Office Administrator You must be available to start work in November 2016. The post is a twelve
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Our blog is taking a sabbatical too....
Proclaimer blog is not going to be doing quite so much proclaiming as it has in the past. As you will know if you read the blog regularly or read the Christian news in the UK, Iâm moving on
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Two Christmas books
(in ministry terms at least) Christmas gets nearer very quickly, our thoughts soon turn to evangelistic resources, and rightly so. There are lots of good ones and those of us in church leadership
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Valley of Vision
getting near Sunday. So, a dose of the preachersâ prayer is not amiss! However, I canât reproduce it due to copyright restrictions. Thatâs sad, but you can follow the link or
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Transgender
are very few helpful resources on transgender that argue carefully and clearly from a biblical standpoint. We need lots of help in this area. Up to now, Mark Yarhouseâs Gender Dysphoria is
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(EMA) 2017 and Luther
will not have escaped your notice that next year is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther and the church notice board incident. Itâs worth celebrating in your church. There seem to be fewer
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A Better Tune
now and then you sing a hymn that is crying out for a better tune. Even a slightly better tune. This is one that is in my head now and Iâm glad not to be able to shake it off. 18th Century
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Context and application
explained very briefly yesterday how texts rightly understood in context bring a sermon a power that it cannot have otherwise. This is, I guess, ârightly dividing the word of truth.â But
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Context and power
preached at the London City Mission thanksgiving service last week, on 2 Cor 5.21-6.2; not a straightforward passage at all, but I hope I did it justice. Preaching it is complicated by the fact
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A short break
I mentioned yesterday, Iâm taking a three month sabbatical from mid November to mid February. I need to rest, refresh and spend time with the Lord every day, but this concentrated burst will
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Last call for Autumn Ministers
Autumn Ministers conference runs from 7 to 10 November this year. Weâve got Christopher Ash on Ruth and some other inputs on application as well as the normal mix of fellowship and rest! The
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The leader and his tongue
off on a Cornhill+ study conference this week with a small handful of students. The aim is to do so some focused work and praying on Christian leadership. Steve Wilmshurst and I will be
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Leadership and La Vuelta
been a while since my last cycling illustration and â“ I hear you cry â“ "how much longer must we wait before the next?". Never fear, here we go. This last week saw the
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Marriage and ministry
a few places are left on our marriage and ministry stopover in October. The Wiltshire venue is now full, Iâm afraid, but weâve room for 3 or 4 extra couples with Wallace and Lindsay
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1 Timothy: what kind of book?
close to finishing a series on 1 Timothy at church. Itâs been â“ I think â“ a really helpful reminder of what church is all about. The book is sometimes rather
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The Gospel Transformation Bible
are many study Bibles, of course. Many. And many of them are good (with a few not quite so hot). One of my favourites is particularly underrated, I feel. Perhaps that is because it is
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Frameworks and the text
am greatly enjoying reading through Progressive Covenantalism (ed. Wellum & Parker) at the moment. Itâs a thoughtful, careful collection of esays steering a course away from some of the
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EMA 2017: Booking now open
hope I have whetted your appetite for the EMA. Itâs never too early to put the date in your diary for 2017. Next yearâs conference runs 27-29 June and weâll be joined by Kevin
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Praising God for Alec Motyer
were sad to learn of the passing to glory of Alec Motyer a couple of weeks back. Alec was a good friend to us at PT and a personal mentor to David Jackman who was so instrumental in the formation
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Lucas at the EMA
managed to persuade Dick Lucas to come out of his self-enforced EMA retirement for one last hurrah. This is classic Dick, some real gold delivered in his own inimitable style. And, of course, he
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Pastoral complexity and a dose of realism
R and I got to enjoy a film night recently: Eye in the Sky starring Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman (and a host of other well known stars). It was a compelling film, based on the moral
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Carson at the EMA
Carson is a good friend of PT and has served us well in the past, but amazingly it was 2009 that he last came to speak at the EMA. It was a joy to have him back with two typically forthright and
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John Newton and perseverance in ministry
pen portraits are becoming something of a regular feature of the EMA (though weâre switching to another expert next year for a take on Luther in the Reformation 500th year). This
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Some [personal] staff news
our latest staff announcement which has a particularly personal angle, as you will see. The Trustees of The Proclamation Trust (PT) today announce that Adrian Reynolds, Director of
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EMA audio and video now online
may have noticed this already, but all our audio and video from the EMA 2016: Leaders who last is now up and online. Over the next couple of weeks I want to highlight some of the, well,
know it's still August, but we're back. In the UK we've had a bank holiday (public holiday) so today is the first working day of the autumn/winter (gulp!) stretch. Hard to write when the sun is
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Summer shutdown
brother used to work in an electronics factory that had a summer shutdown. Everyone took two weeks off at the same time. That was the way it worked. Frankly, itâs not dissimilar to PT Towers.
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Eight lessons on leadership from 1 Timothy 3
Timothy 3.1-13 is a reasonably straightforward passage. There are one or two exegetical questions (perhaps particularly in v11). But given that it is found in a letter addressed to an individual
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1 Timothy 3 “ preaching implications
do you preach a passage like 1 Timothy 3.1-13? At one level it is just a list of qualifications for eldership and diaconal roles. In a normal sermon I would preach a good proportion of exegesis
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Let’s be honest about porn
just finished reading one of the most traumatic books Iâve ever read. Kat Banyardâs Pimp Nation is an assessment of the sexualised culture we live in as seen through the scope of
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Providence not just sovereignty
is not the first time Iâve applied a simple truth to my own life, nor will it be the last. The truth is this: we believe in Godâs sovereignty and his providence. I wonder if our
a bloke, and a husband, I always find it fascinating and alarming in equal measure to listen to ministerâs wives talk to me at our wivesâ conferences. I think, for the most part, the
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The Two Hills
readers of The Proclaimer will know that this summer I am moving from one âhillâ to another: Iâm leaving the Cornhill Training Course to join the faculty of Oak Hill
a very particular take in Galatians on fighting sin and growing in godliness which is worth noting, firstly in our own lives and secondly in our preaching and pastoring. It emerges
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Patience, patience
you read the fruit of the Spirit as a preacher, I wonder if one of the greatest challenges is whether we are patient. Evidence of the fruit, of course, is evidence that we are keeping in step with
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Never lose the wonder
cycle home over Tower Bridge most days, alongside the Tower of London. Itâs a pretty magical views. Every now and again, particularly in the summer, the bridge lifts. Itâs never unplanned
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Hallowed be your translation
preaching through the Sermon on the Mount at the moment at church and it struck me as we reached chapter 6 how many modern translations bottle the Lordâs prayer. There is one phrase
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Nevertheless
just one word in a Bible passage carries great weight. Iâm not suggesting that we should just preach on that one word, but we have to let the word carry the weight in our sermons.
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Dan Brown exegesis
John, Dean of St Albanâs Cathedral, recently preached a sermon on the Centurionâs servant from Luke in Liverpool Cathedral, arguing that it proves that Jesus accepted gay
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Do song words really matter that much?
Christians can get a bit hot under the collar about song words. I am often one of them, I confess. For, you see, I really believe that song words matter. This is primarily because singing to one
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My summer reading holiday
thatâs not a typo. Summer I take a holiday from reading, Christian reading that is. Before you begin composing that email in your head, I donât take time off from reading the Bible. I
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Painful goodbyes and lonely ministries
saying goodbye to four colleagues this summer. My wonderful conference manager, Rachel Olajide is going off to have a baby and despite me printing off articles from the Daily Mail about
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Just a few more books
finish off the EMA book discussion, we had a number of titles which we really loved but which didnât quite make it to the stage â“ mainly for reasons of space. Here are my personal
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Our day of rest
excuse us a day off today as we take stock (code for recover) after the exertions of the EMA. We love this conference and love serving, but it does take it out of our small team. Back
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Thursday’s EMA book recommendations
weâre going to persevere in ministry, then we must persevere in our faith. Weâve chosen some titles which will help you keep going with an ever-deepening walk with Christ Jesus. Psalms
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Wednesday’s EMA book recommendations
of us are in word ministry of some kind and so we want to highlight some important titles which will help encourage you in this important task. This year, PT have two new titles in our essential
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Tuesday’s EMA book recommendations
want to highlight three books to help you get kids reading. This is an area that many in ministry rarely consider, but is essential to the life and health of the local church. Every child should
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Please pray this week
do pray for the Evangelical Ministry Assembly this week. Weâve got about 1,300 people coming from about 750 churches. Some 250 have never been before and weâre especially praying
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EMA Missions Project
the EMA next week and each year we announce a missions project that we are hoping delegates will support. Itâs absolutely vital that we keep looking outwards and avoid introspection
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The Word and its words
to my newspaper, we now have the Emoji Bible. It will help millennials read the Word apparently. I am working on the assumption that this is a spoof, or at least a very light-hearted
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Why do you read?
we moved the EMA to the Barbican, we had a major rethink about the Bookstore and, in particular, I gave some time to thinking through why ministers of the gospel should read. I guess we had,
always found it slightly ironic that we evangelicals who quickly decry the kind of preaching which jumps around from text to text as being a bit mystical (âthe word the Lord gave
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Praying for Muslims
right into Ramadan â“ possibly the longest one for many years as it falls squarely across the summer equinox when the days are longest. It means the area of London where I live is
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Loving your wife, Mr Preacher
year, Mrs R and I took a marriage seminar in Huddersfield and a dear saint gave me a copy of a cherished article she had kept (and obviously photocopied many times). It is entitled 103 ways a
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Perseverance Plus
thinking a lot about persevering at the moment because thatâs the theme of the EMA coming up in just two weeks. Itâs amazing how many times the theme has come up in my morning
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‘Faith Comes from Hearing’
spare-time reading in the last couple of weeks has, I admit, been a bit niche: a book about Bob Dylan, which argues that he has always expressed strongly monotheistic convictions and thus that his
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EMA 2016 new songs
year we try to sing a mix of old and new songs at the EMA. This year weâll be singing Dustin Kensrueâs Grace Alone. You can hear the song here. If youâve accomplished musicians in
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EMA 2016: just a couple of weeks to go!
just over two weeks until this yearâs Evangelical Ministry Assembly â“ Leaders who last - at the Barbican. Weâd love to see you there and here are five reasons why we
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EMA 2016 Bookstore: open to the public
of the highlights of the EMA is our Bookstore. Packed with over 1,250 titles (many of which are new this year) each one has been carefully chosen to serve those who attend. These days, itâs
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Spring ministers media
were packed out at this yearâs spring ministers conference and had some excellent input. Here are the video links. The audio is also available for download on our website. Bryan
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Wives’ conferences just around the corner
just a short while until our summer wives conference (4-7 July) and weâve still got some spaces left (though, sadly, no room in the crèche). If youâre in the first few years of
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Thanks for praying
of you were praying about our Home Office inspection which we needed to pass in order to be able to sponsor visa students. Thank you so much. We have to whisper it, at the moment, but suffice it
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Why I’m not planning my funeral
Iâve chosen all my funeral songs alreadyâ is a pretty standard refrain these days from believers. To which I always respond with the same question, âWhy?â I
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Teaching 123 John
first of our two new titles is now available. Mervyn Eloff has written a superb volume for us on Teaching the epistles of John. These are a rich seam for preachers (although 2 and 3 John are
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Marriage and ministry
more I speak to married ministers and their wives, the more I realise that marriage and ministry is not the glorious union that it ought to be. Rather, for many, it is a painful, tense set of
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The preacher’s praying agenda
on your prayer list? Whoâs on your prayer list? And â“ just as importantly â“ how do you pray for them? Iâve been thinking about this all this week as I
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Will you pray for us this week?
week we have a visa inspection, not unlike an Ofsted with bells on, which determines whether we can continue to sponsor student visas. Weâre thanking God for recent confirmation of
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So, you’re a church planter…?
have great admiration for those who undertake the work of church planting. It requires a certain set of gifts and skills, plus the ability to forage and scavenge which many of us in ministry simply
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Application “ a question of quantity
of the most interesting and thought-provoking things to come out of our Spring Ministers conference with Bryan Chappell was about the quantity of application. How much application, in other
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Application “ a question of quality
a think back to your sermon last weekend. What was your application? Here are some questions to help you do some evaluation. 1. Did your application come from the text and the flow of the text?
Trustees of The Proclamation Trust have today announced some significant changes to our teaching team. As previously announced, Nigel Styles will be taking up the role of Director of the PT
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Delighting in the good
small snap-shot for you of the happy life we try to live in PT Towers: on a warm afternoon recently during a break for Magnums (Classic or Almond), the conversation turned to favourite films. A
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Spirit-filled leaders
wonder what comes to your mind when you think of leaders who are Spirit-filled? Itâs almost certainly gifting. Thatâs our default mode to describe Spirit-filling, especially when it comes
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Professional speakers beware
have come rather late to an appreciation of Charles Dickens. Better late than never, I suppose. At the moment I am particularly enjoying his sometimes biting social comments in Bleak House. One of
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Five marriage glories
to set some balance from yesterdayâs post, here are some marriage glories. 1. Marriage. Just marriage. Not everyone is given this gift. Some have the gift of singleness. But to those to
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Five marriage oxymorons
posts on marriage â“ both of which need careful reading. Everything is in the definition. But I wanted to bust some marriage myths, using the idea of an oxymoron (something that cannot
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The leadership tension
love the sport of cycling, whether itâs on the track or road. And Iâve particularly enjoyed the recent success of the Great Britain team, which means I have some mixed feelings about the
spent a little time reflecting on 7 practical things that make me ineffective as a preacher. I realise that this kind of post rather lays my own heart bare. Nevertheless, itâs worth posting
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Measuring faithfulness
name is Adrian and Iâm an Arsenal fan. There, Iâve finally said it. Truth be told, now that itâs public knowledge Iâm much happier and I feel I can deal with it as I need to
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Beg, steal* or borrow
of my favourite times of year is our two ministersâ conferences we hold in the Spring. This year we have 220 guys from all different churches and all different stages over two weeks. Our
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How important is application?
few quotes are helpful. John Broadus (1827-1895) was the President of Southern Baptist Theological Centre and was the father of expository preaching in the US (and probably wider as well). He
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Look inside first
greatly enjoying Andrew Cornes speaking on 1 Corinthians 1 at our preachers' conference. Andrew is an experienced preacher/pastor and is recently retired. What I love about him is his
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So what?
enjoying Bryan Chappell at our ministersâ conference teaching on application. This is a contentious issue for some Christians. Too much, too little, and all kinds of practical and
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A quick survey...
Steel, a pastor from Oxford, is leading a seminar at this year's EMA for those starting out in ministry. It is essential, of course, that younger guys start well. Such people have a particular
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Do not give up the habit
is written to Christians. In fact, to be more precise, itâs written to a particular group of Christians, Jewish ones in danger of returning to their Old Testament roots and leaving the
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Disappearing church: an extended review
Sayers' new book is important. Itâs not an easy read. For those used to books padded out with stories about things that happened to the authors, this is remarkably dense. Itâs just 175
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The ploughboy and the brickie
now and again, when Iâm not preaching, I listen to the Sunday morning service on Radio 4. I often regret it. This last Sunday I listened carefully to the sermon because I thought the text
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Financial probity and the ministry
not sure church ministers should be publishing their tax returns for their congregations, even if government ministers are now doing so. That sort of degree of scrutiny (and
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Next year is significant
guess you had realised, hadnât you, Mr Preacher, that next year is historically significant? Itâs 2017 which is of course the 500th anniversary of old Martin putting up his 95 theses next
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Railways
the record, Iâm no train spotter. At least, I donât think so. (Can it creep up on you?) There are things I do love about railways. I enjoy travelling on them. I used to prefer driving
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To fly to serve
not an advert for a BA campaign (although the more I travel, the more I appreciate the understated professionalism of BA). Rather, this is the title of my new book produced in conjunction with
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Perseverance of the servants
of the gospel sometimes get confused. They assume that perseverance of the saints is the same as perseverance of the servants. In a week when another high profile pastor has been removed
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Praying the Bible by Don Whitney
readers will know that I'm a keen advocate of using the Bible to pray. In fact, I can be a bit repetitive when it comes to the subject. So, bottom line, any book on praying the Bible is
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Hypocrites and Pagans
meet up with a fellow pastor every couple of weeks and we've been having a very challenging time reading through the Sermon on the Mount. We've got to know one another well and so there's a level
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Obadiah today
enjoyed getting stuck into Obadiah (my next short book study project for 2016) with a view to teaching it at Cornhill in June. Jonathan Gibson, in The Proclamation Bible, is
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Important news for trustees
of the churches we serve (and indeed, some of the para-church organisations we make use of) are registered charities. As such, recent events at some Christian and secular charities should make
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God is my rock. Isn't he?
had a really good Cornhill+ study day with Garry Williams the other week and I've been meaning to post something that I found partiucularly helpful. He's always good value - and he was very
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EMA: first call
time to start planning to come to the EMA this year. Over the last few years, weâve tried to focus on topics that we think are essential for evangelical preachers. Weâve dealt
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Wedding sermons
had the delight this week of preaching at my daughterâs wedding. Song of Songs, thanks for asking. Itâs not an easy preaching gig, a wedding, though it is, of course, a delight.
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Evangelicals in the media
the last week there have been two notable bits of media coverage of evangelicals in the UK. The first was a late night BBC documentary, the Battle for Christianity. It presented Christianity as
just finished reading John Piperâs new book with The Good Book Company: Money, sex and power - living in the light. Iâm always slightly sceptical about Piper books â“ I
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Spring Wives 2016 media
talks from our recent Spring Wives conference are now online in both audio and video form. We had Rupert Bentley Taylor on Judges and Liz Cox on Hebrews. If you want a flavour of the main
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The ambiguity of the world
is a sense in which the world is unambiguous in its hostility to Christ. We should not be surprised at this, nor clutch at straws when people say that they do things out of some kind of loyalty
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Naselli's conclusion
mentioned yesterday that Naselli's conclusion to the Perspectives book on the extent of the atonement is first class. That warrants a bit more explanation. He tries to summarise the argument whilst
just finished reading the new Broadman and Holman book "Perspectives on the extent of the atonement; three views". It's one of those books where each person puts his view (definite, Carl
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Dysfunctional families, turn to page...
the Jacob narrative recently at Cornhill, I found myself describing the account of the birth of Jacobâs children in Genesis 29.31-30.24 as a state of affairs worthy of an appearance on
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Christians in Sport podcast
taken me a while to get round to this, but I'm glad I did. Christians in Sport have a new podcast - a substantial programme exploring the relationship between sport and faith. In the first
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The scope of the resurrection
Easter (have you noticed) which means, for some of us at least, the special sermons get rolled out. Iâm not sure what I think about this â“ Easter is rather curious for London
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Refreshing the heart
finished my rather elongated study of Philemon today and have been bowled over by some of Paulâs vocabulary. Significant, I think, is the strong language of heart refreshment. Paul uses this
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New issue of Credo and interview
a new issue of Credo out â“ some interesting stuff here to reflect on, plus an interview with me where you will learn how to demonstrate the superiority of cricket to baseball.
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And yet another question preachers ask
this very short series, Iâve left the hardest till last: does a gospel sermon always need to get to the cross? Itâs a commonly asked question, and one which is often used in a more
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Another question preachers ask
one of the most vexed questions preachers ask is whether every sermon must go to Christ? Short answer â“ in my opinion â“ yes. The boy Spurgeon agrees. Here are some
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Questions preachers ask
are a number of recurring questions that we get asked about preaching, some of which weâve answered before â“ for example, does a passage really only have one big idea. Here, over
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Things never to say to a preacher pt. 94
funny thing happened to me on the way to the pulpit last Sunday. Just before the service, my dear senior minister told me of a time when he heard of a preacher preaching just my passage and making
is an old 19th Century English (and Welsh) law called Spiritual Injury. It was introduced to stem the growing influence of (particularly) high church and Catholic churchmen who were telling
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Marriage and Ministry
can be tough. Ministry can be tough. Together, they can be an explosive combination. What should be a joyful partnership sometimes turns out to be the very thing on which both ministry and
so long ago, I was reading an article about hymnology which named Sydney Carter as the best hymnwriter of the 20th Century. Remember Lord of the Dance? When I needed a neighbour? And One more
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Who put that there?
you wish sometimes Scripture passages were not written as they are? There are often things I would have included if anyone had consulted me. And with my current preaching project
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Praying the Bible
a bit like a scratched record when it comes to encouraging people to pray the Bible. Not a hissy mess â“ not that kind of scratched record; rather, I keep on saying the same thing
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Motives: “making a thorough search”
of putting sin to death is putting sinful motives to death. Itâs hard, for we are not always good assessors of our own motives, nor do we want to put in the hard work of addressing this
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The great challenge of pastoral godliness
are four types of Christian behaviour, it seems to me: There are, firstly, good things done for good motives. This is what the Bible calls righteousness. Then there are good things, but done
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Pastoring dementia patients
not normally one for simply posting links, but occasionally you come across something which deserves a wide hearing â“ this is one such post about pastoring dementia patients.
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Come, Holy Spirit
parable of the soils (Mark 4) is pretty clear. Not all the soil on which we sow is good soil. In fact, sometimes the sowing of the word actually hardens people who have not been given the secrets
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Faithful exegesis is just the start
makes a good sermon? Very often, in our circles, weâre obsessed (rightly) with getting the text right. That has to be the starting point. Without faithfulness to the text, the sermon cannot
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Leadership: the real deal
just returned from my pastoral road trip to Normandy, visiting the D Day landing beaches with a friend. It was great â“ the sun shone, the sky was blue and we had the various
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What? No food? I’ve got some ideas.
a few people have noticed the absence of a meal option at this yearâs EMA. Thatâs not a mistake. Sadly, the food supplied for a sandwich lunch kept increasing in price and remained
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Introducing Equipped to Preach the Word
to Preach the Word is a new resource we've put together as a series of videos and accompanying manuals to put resources into the hands of those who long, under God, to train up a new
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When less is more
happened to me recently as I was about to preach - something that winds most preachers up. The service had been packed a bit more than usual of good and right things, and so in order for
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The Risen Movie
Dan Rackham, a recently graduated Cornhill student, on the Risen movie which he got to see at a pre-screening. Includes, towards, the end, some ideas for how you could use it evangelistically
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EMA Accomodation
of the problems with EMA is that, being based in central London, many who might really benefit from it are unable to attend just because the cost of accommodation in London for three nights is
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Burn out survey
spare us 5-10 minutes... to help us answer a survey about burnout in pastors, Christian workers and church employees. The survey is being done in partnership with the Good Book Company and in
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Two fundamental preaching mistakes (2)
pursuing style over substance is not your temptation, praise God! But you are almost certainly tempted in the other direction. For the second fundamental preaching mistake is to pursue substance
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Two fundamental preaching mistakes (1)
are many mistakes we can make in preaching â“ right from the moment we open our Bibles on a Monday morning through to the delivery of the sermon and what happens afterwards, there are
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Preaching Noah, part 3: systematic theology
the previous two posts Iâve outlined some exegesis of Genesis 6.9-7.24, and set it in a very little biblical theology. My aim in this little series of posts on Noah is to show that apparently
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Preaching Noah, part 2: biblical theology
done some exegesis on Genesis 6.9-7.24 (see previous post). Now letâs move to how the rest of Scripture will help us. Iâll stick to two texts where Noah comes up
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Preaching Noah, part 1: exegesis
come recently, not for the first time in the last year, to Noah and the flood. It so happens that Iâve just been teaching those chapters at Cornhill and am preaching soon on Genesis
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Pastoral road trip
may go a little quiet from me next week: itâs our UK school half-term which also coincides with the PT Cornhill half-term. Iâm taking a few days off to take a friend on a Normandy D-Day
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Cornhill 2016
year marks the 25th anniversary of our Cornhill Training Course, so-called not because it was sponsored by a large insurance conglomerate, but because it started in a church building in a road
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Topical preaching
had an interesting conversation this morning with someone about topical preaching. We had been listening to a talk at a pastorâs convention on race and ethnicity (a very good one, as it
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The deadline looms
through no fault of our own, deadlines come upon us that put us under severe pressure. Thatâs the nature of the task. For the record, I donât have a huge amount of sympathy for
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What will you do with the word of God?
my own preaching convicts me deeply. There is always challenge of course, but sometimes the application seems so pointed and precise that it almost has my name on it. So it was with 1
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Make the most of a quieter week
lots of books on preaching on my shelves, but one of the most unusual is undoubtedly "The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have To Preach" - a collection of two dozen or so sermons preached at hard
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Invite a friend to the EMA
year, we welcomed 1,400 people to the EMA. It was a greatly encouraging time â“ to meet together, to sing together, to pray together, to listen and learn together. There is nothing else
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Seminar streams at the EMA
the EMA weâll be running seminar streams that take the issue of perseverance and develop it more thoroughly, alongside some preaching and teaching seminars which retain the focus of
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Dick and Don in da Barbican
always think carefully about who we ask to speak from the platform at our annual EMA conference. On the whole, we want preachers to speak to preachers, so even when we ask well known writers or
speaking, many of us in ministry will give up. Some of us will suffer moral failure and have to step down. Some of us will burn out and have to step away. Some of us will keep going in
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The King’s songbook
the psalms is harder than it looks. Iâm pretty convinced about that every time I pick up a psalm to preach or, as is the recent case, a few psalms to write study notes on. Theyâre
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Context “ aiding application
we saw how the context aids understanding. Many preachers are OK with this, and â“ to be fair â“ pretty good at it. But context also aids application. Itâs when we
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Context “ aiding understanding
of the rotten tomatoes that sometimes get thrown at us is that we are obsessed with context. I hope â“ I really hope â“ thatâs not true. If weâre obsessed with
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Claiming celebrities (old and new)
is a growing trend amongst evangelical preachers and pastors to want to make celebrities born again Christians. I understand this and have even indulged in some (unhelpful) speculation myself.
would your children's teachers in church react if you told them they needed to do a series on Ezekiel in Sunday School? I bet it wouldn't be met with universal enthusiasm. Why not? After all. All
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The songword sentimentalists
another curious phenomenon when it comes to the words we sing: it's that some of us (hmm, myself too, if I'm honest) are curiously sentimental about song words when we're often not
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The songword bullies
things are as likely to stir ire (and lead to an extended post bag) than challenging some of the vocabulary of our best loved songs. It's extraordinary really. I love hymns and old songs, but I
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Listen. Instead of reading (sometimes).
enjoying some audio books at the moment. Not Christian ones, as it happens, but some Len Deighton 1980s spy thrillers (please don't tell!). These particular books (a set of nine) are my comfort
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Stop and wait a while
of the benefits of my "Month in Philemon" is being able to really get to grips with the detail of the book. I'm really enjoying this: perhaps too much, I have to keep disciplining myself to read
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Two degrees of separation
had an early morning phone call this morning â“ always, you imagine, the bringer of bad news. âIs this Celia?â Now, Celia, for the uninitiated, is the given name for Mrs R. Most
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Spring ministers conferences
is the month to start planning the year, so hereâs something to put in the diary â“ our Spring Ministers Conferences. We run two consecutive weeks â“ Week 1 is 25-28
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Book of the year! Jesus outside the lines
outside the lines is my favourite Christian book of this year! OK, so itâs my only Christian book of this year so far and so wins the title by default, but â“ nevertheless
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Teaching Days in South West and South
occasional preachers, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, small group leaders, study leaders.... Here's a one day training event to help you preach and teach faithfully. If you're in
a thought: if preaching is going to flourish, then preachers need to flourish. If married preachers are going to flourish, then their wives need looking after too. There are remarkably
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A month in Philemon
2016, Iâm setting myself a slightly different Bible study challenge â“ this is my personal devotions Iâm talking about. Iâve selected 12 short Bible books and Iâm
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Encouraging and Rebuking
preachers have a basic tendency, I think, to feel more comfortable either rebuking/exhorting or encouraging in their preaching. That will be to do with the complicated mixture of background,
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What is a ‘central’ truth?
movements and cultures have stories that they tell in order to define who they are. One of those central stories for British conservative evangelicalism is the account of a meeting in Cambridge
I was first given Teaching 1&2 Thessalonians â“ the first book from this series I had encountered â“ I expected another commentary from the pastoral mid-range style of the
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Too much Bible?!
provocative title for this post, I know, but itâs a thought I get from a comment that Garry Williams makes early on in his very fine book His Love Endures For Ever: Reflections on the Love of
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The expository wood and the exegetical trees
back Mr Preacher! Here we are, a new year, a new opportunity to serve, a chance to make some resolutions? Yawn! There are only so many lists of resolutions you can read, so instead here is
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Happy Christmas to you all
is a busy time for preachers. Few of our congregation will be working on Christmas Day and yet, even though the nature of our sermons on 25th December may be different, they still require
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The six graces
preparing my Christmas carol service from 2 Corinthians 8:9 this week - one of my favourite Christmas texts. It's well known territory, but I'm trying to resist the idea that I know the passage
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In other words
was greatly helped this week by reading a section of Job; Job 33:19-28. Itâs part of Elihuâs first speech to Job. Christopher Ash persuasively argues that Elihu should be read as speaking
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Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds
the title of a book of family devotions based on the Heidelberg Catechism, written by Starr Meade and published by P&R. It contains a yearâs worth of daily material, and for a while
second half of Millerâs inaugural Princeton sermon draws out some practical conclusions. Some of these are just for the moment: interesting to read but somewhat removed from life today.
Millerâs inaugural Princeton sermon, his attention to competent knowledge. He defines this very precisely as being difference from talents (which are latent abilities to teach).
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An Able and Faithful Ministry: talents
on from yesterdayâs post about Samuel Miller, he spends just a short time in his inaugural sermon talking about talents. This is second qualification for an able and faithful ministry
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An Able and Faithful Ministry: piety
between other things, Iâve been reading James Garrestsonâs new biography of Samuel Miller, one of the founders of Princeton Theological Seminary. It prompted me to read his inaugural
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My favourite Christian book all googled up
of my favourite Christian books, if not the favourite one is Brian Edwards and Clive Andersonâs The Bible in the British Museum. I keep giving away my copy so I have lost count of how many I
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James in one mouthful
had something of an epiphany last night. It came as we read James in one session at our small group. Itâs an amazing way to take this unusual book in. I say unusual, not in a pejorative sense.
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Weekend wives
wives conferences have long been very popular. They are also a key part of our work of encouraging preachers: a married preacher is a God-made unit with his wife and if you want to invest in
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Joan of Arc Olympics
basketball team won last night. You might not think that a particular cause for rejoicing, but the fact is, they lost the first eighteen games of the season. Yes, you read that right. What is
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Why preachers must think for themselves
weekend I had to produce an emergency sermon â“ a sermon in a hurry, you might say. We wanted a service that was responding to what had happened in Paris and planned a change to our
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Three perspectives
up a little on Richard Prattâs lines to NT application, I really like this idea of three âerasâ â“ the inaugural, the present and the future. Hereâs a little
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What do we do with holy war?
of the hardest things for OT preachers is to work through what is going on when it comes to holy war â“ what does it really mean to totally devote things to destruction? Itâs a
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Christ in the Old Testament (again)
been really useful to have Richard Pratt with us this last week. His sense of humour is so dry heâs almost an honorary Brit! He gave us three excellent sessions on Joshua for which the
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Simply reading is not simple
reading what Scripture says is really difficult. Hereâs what I mean: I was recently looking with a group at just two verses - Titus 2.1-2: âBut as for you, teach what accords with
example of the strange phenomenon of a preacher in his preparation actually spotting something central in his text, but then losing sight of it and not preaching it because he lacks the
we Cornhill staff listen to students giving practice sermons and talks and then lead the subsequent discussion time, I've noticed an occasional phenomenon. It goes like this: ⢠Leader:
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Is WHY the right question?
the Archbishop has doubts. I think it's a brave thing to be honest about and a bit more honesty about struggles, appropriately expressed, would be no bad thing in our circles. But I wonder
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The Lord's prayer and me
Lordâs Prayer is in the news at the moment, Iâm sure youâve noticed. Cinema advertising agencies have apparently reneged on an agreement to show a Church of England video of
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A very different Christmas
are an increasing number of Christmas resources which you can use as part of your seasonal evangelism. Some of these are short and sweet; others longer. Some are for kids; some for adults. Some
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Fed up with a false dichotomy
week Iâve read yet another round of social media posts about Old Testament preaching. The complaint goes something like this: our OT preaching shouldnât be entirely
this week, we're having an EMA fest. It's reading week at Cornhill and what better time to catch up with some good content from this year's EMA. This second session from Tim Keller allowed for
this week, we're having an EMA fest. It's reading week at Cornhill and what better time to catch up with some good content from this year's EMA. This, the first of Tim Keller's two sessions, was
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EMA 2015: Christ glorified
this week, we're having an EMA fest. It's reading week at Cornhill and what better time to catch up with some good content from this year's EMA. Vaughan's closing exposition gave us a really good
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EMA 2015: Beginning and end of life
this week, we're having an EMA fest. It's reading week at Cornhill and what better time to catch up with some good content from this year's EMA. John Wyatt's one off session was one of this
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EMA 2015: Christ Incarnate
this week, we're having an EMA fest. It's reading week at Cornhill and what better time to catch up with some good content from this year's EMA. I found Reuben's exposition of Philippians 2 a
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Knocking holes in the boat
been reading GKâs essays on divorce (The superstition of divorce). Interesting stuff. From another era, obviously and many of the arguments he was challenging seem hopelessly outdated.
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Read along
week is the Cornhill reading week. We encourage the students to read all the time but this is the week we are them to particularly focus on one of three titles. You may be interested to know
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‘Bible handling’
handlingâ is a phrase often heard around these parts: preachers need to be good âBible handlersâ. Unfortunately for me (and this says more about me, I readily acknowledge,
the second page of his new book on sermon application (Cutting to the Heart, IVP) Chris Green says something that you might think ought to shock us. He says that, in his experience of training
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I am a Springboard Champion
once climbed onto one of those 1m springboards at the swimming pool. Quite a sight, I can assure you. But good fun and absolutely brilliant for getting from point A to point B. No turning back.
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Mr Angry
just finished reading Bill Bryonâs latest book âThe road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island.â I used to like Bryson. I liked his infatuation with
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Review of NIV Audio Bible app for iPhone
been testing and using both versions of the new NIV audio Bible app sold by Hodder Faith. This app is designed to accompany the excellent audio Bible narrated by David Suchet. This is not
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Public reading of Scripture round two
hereâs a thought. In many of our churches, we have reading rotas for public worship. I like hearing different voices, so Iâm broadly in favour of this. But Iâm also keen to do my
you been to see Everest yet? I canât say that the film holds much attraction for me; but then you may be completely unexcited about the Lance Armstrong movie The Program, which I canât
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Marriage & Ministry: developing passions
our stopover this week, we spent an hour thinking through how we develop passions, not quite as sexual as it sounds! I mean passions in its broadest sense: a love for God, a love for each other
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Marriage & Ministry: addressing pressures
the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?â If you are serious about ministry, then the answer to that question will always be âYesâ â“ âWho is weak, and I
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Marriage & Ministry: cultivating privileges
a whole heap of self pity going on when it comes to ministry and marriage. For the most part, ministers and their wives have it pretty good. Yes, thatâs right: there are countless
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Marriage & Ministry: setting priorities
written before about we can think wrongly about competing priorities in life and itâs worth thinking that through again. There is a school of thought which ranks our roles in some kind
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Marriage & Ministry: some principles
does the Bible say about marriage and ministry? Er, nothing. Not really. There is a lot about marriage of course. Guess what? All of it applies to ministry couples. There is a lot about
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Marriage & Ministry: an introduction
and Tuesday of this week, Mrs R and I are being joined by 11 couples escaping just for 24 hours to think and pray about marriage and ministry. Wallace and Lindsay Benn are doing the same thing
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Job swap anyone?
not a serious suggestion, but hereâs an interesting observation. The senior pastor of our East London, UK church is an American. I donât think many people visiting would fail to spot
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In praise of McCheyne et al
eagle eyed among you may have noticed Iâm reading 1 Kings at the moment. Thatâs not just because weâre preaching through it in church, but because 1 Kings is one of the books of
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Who he?
detail of Old Testament narrative is fascinating. We all know Solomon was wise, for instance, but how wise? âGreater than all the people of the East.â Oh yeah. âGreater than all
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Understand the times
Preacher, you're a leader in the church. You may not be a formal leader (though you probably are), but the moment you're in the pulpit, you're a man with authority. I hope you understand that.
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Pastoral praying: trying something different
know about you, but I'm always battling to keep prayer times fresh. Pastoral praying, in particular, can quickly become stale. This is because it - by definition - works in a systematic
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No amazing conversion?
your conversion is amazing. I know every conversion is miraculous â“ but perhaps, I mean, you were a terror before you became a Christian. Drugs, sex and rock ânâ roll.
just finished reading Philippa Gregory's latest Tudor novel retelling the story of Katheryn Parr, The Taming of the Queen. I've not particularly got into any of her books in the past, finding
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Doing preaching well
don't normally link to other blogs, especially ones that you're probably reading anyway. What's the point? He likes me and I like him and I like that he likes me (continue ad nauseam).
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The Christians
R and I were taken to an extraordinarily moving play in the West End last week, The Christians by Lucas Hnath (you can read a review with him from the New York Times here). It is an essentially
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Providence: a beautiful doctrine
is little positive to say about the terrible tragedy that unfolded in Saudi Arabia with the stampede at the Hajj festival. It is always a sadness to see people killed so needlessly. And the
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Diversity and Equality and the Fall
a profound thing going on in Genesis 1.27. When God makes mankind, male and female he creates a kind of divine paradox with both equality (both made equally in the image of God) and
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To my younger brethren
was reminded recently that Handley Mouleâs book To my younger brethren is a really useful classic on pastoral ministry. It has a context, naturally, which is ministry in an Anglican context
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Friendship
been very moved in the last few days reading Diarmaid MacCullochâs account of the last few weeks of the life of Thomas Cranmer, in his biography of the great man (Thomas Cranmer, Yale
Andy Byfield was teaching at the Cornhill + conference, I thought about suffering again. We generally (and our people in particular) have a poor theology of suffering. Thatâs because
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The preacher at prayer
is possible in a church of 200 to pray for every member of the church by name once a week and every member by name early on each Sunday morning. Thatâs certainly Alec Motyerâs
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The first prayer meeting
on prayer. Iâve recently preached on Acts 4. I found it very personally convicting to look at one of the first recorded prayer meetings and learn about prayer. We have to be just a little
up on one of Andyâs points from yesterday, we watched a brief clip of Piper on James 4.2, itâs worth a few moments of your time. Here is a great challenge for me and for every
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Andy Byfield at Cornhill+
just finished our Cornhill+ conference â“ a follow up programme for Cornhill students who donât go to college for various reasons. Itâs been an encouraging and enjoyable
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Proclamation Bible new editions
are some brand new compact editions of the NIV Proclamation Bible out. This is not a study Bible as such, but a standard NIV bound with around 60,000 extra words (a standard paperback) of
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A pastor’s prayer
just reading James Garretsonâs excellent assessment of the life and ministry of Samuel Miller, one of the Princeton founders. This is the prayer from his journal after his ordination in
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Complementarian ministry
of us who are complementarian in our view of menâs and womenâs roles in the church have some confessing to do. Because we always feel weâve been fighting a battle against
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Zondervan NIV Study Bible Notes
canât have escaped your notice that Don Carson has edited a new study Bible linked to the NIV and focused on biblical theology. Rather confusingly, it is not called the NIV Study Bible
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Autumn Ministers Final Call
not too late to book a space at this yearâs autumn ministers conference with Richard Pratt. Richardâs material on the OT is worth its weight in gold and unless you are one of
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Matters of life and death
of the most vexed questions for Christians today is how we apply the truth of what we know to a fast changing culture. This is especially true in the area of ethics. Things that were not even
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Applying 1 Kings
seems pretty clear to me that 1 Kings is all about the kingdom advancing. It advances despite messy and complicated situations; it advances through godly men and women and it advances even when
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Knowing your Bible is key to OT narrative
of the things that struck me about 1 Kings 1 is how the original readersâ Bible knowledge would have made a great difference to their reading. To us, the story is full of colour and detail
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The curious case of Abishag
be told, some by-path meadows are easily avoided. Others are just too tempting, like a cool lake on a hot day. Splash! In you go. Iâve heard of preachers who feel that they have to explore
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Such a story
just preached on 1 Kings 1, a privilege I found enormously stretching and satisfying in equal measure, sharpened as it was by the application connecting with my own heart in a way you hope
were lots of highlights from this year's EMA - but preachers and teachers will find Christopher Ash's morning expositions particularly helpful. He preached from John 8-10 and our brief to him
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Videos from EMA 2015- Identity Crisis
the next few weeks, starting tomorrow, we will be uploading the videos from our recent EMA. I'll be writing a little about them here on the blog so please do come by and have a read and
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These brothers of mine “ a review
not long finished reading a reasonably concise book about the church and Israel, called These brothers of mine by Rob Dalrymple. The book is clear and direct. The author has clearly held
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When is a chiasm not a chiasm?
itâs not, of course. OT preachers get obsessed with chiasms. Chiasms are common Hebrew poetic structures which, in very simple terms, put the heart of a passage at the centre â“
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Summer reading
summer reading list is probably unlike every other Christians for the simple reason that I donât take any Christian books away with me. Well, I take a Bible of course, but no books on
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Another ministry casualty
summer. Another ministry casualty. Plus ça changeâ¦. So, you know the story and Iâm not one for rehashing other peoplesâ failures, nor speculating on what went wrong
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Who sings Lamentations?
sings it? Duh. Jesus sings it of course. Here is my working hypothesis. The corporate nature of Israelâs destruction, captured uniquely in the destruction of the temple does not point to the
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Who sings Lamentations?
autumn study project is Lamentations. Hardly common preaching ground. But if we believe our own doctrine of Scripture, it ought to be as appropriate to preach Lamentations as others portions of
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Marriage and ministry
I said, preaching doesnât happen in a vacuum and for many of us, though not all, the context in which we serve is as both husbands and ministers. You donât need me to tell you that
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Job opportunity at PT
am searching for a new PA. I know, it's your dream job, but you're busy preaching. But it may be someone else's in your congregation if you're near or in London? It's actually a maternity cover for
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Autumn ministers
of the ways we can persevere is by getting continual help. Personally I find this one of the hardest things to do. To get help in any area of life seems to be some kind of admission that Iâm
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Welcome back. Different this time?
hope youâve had a good break. Even if you didnât get away, church in the summer is always different. Not less busy, of course, because there are often camps and holiday clubs to fill the
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Time for a break..
all need a break every now and then; and now is the time for that. Â We shouldn't be writing blogs on our holiday and you shouldn't be reading them on yours! Â So on that note, see you in
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Put the light on!
Christ well from the Old Testament is one of the hardest things preachers have to do. However often we do it, we always feel we could be doing better. Either we struggle to do it at all
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The big idea and aim of the Big Idea and Aim
who encounters what we do at Cornhill quickly discovers that weâre rigorous in training students to come up with two sentences for any Bible passage that theyâre teaching or
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Exegetical reflections on Luke ch.24, part 3
final section, vs.36-53: Three rather odd things happen here, and I think that working away at these, in the way Luke has described them, gets us heading in the right direction: 1)Â When
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Exegetical reflections on Luke ch.24, part 2
to the famous Emmaus Road, vs.13-35. Much more than this could be said, but here are a couple of thoughts: 1)Â Central to this event as Luke tells it is the contrast between what the
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Exegetical thoughts on Luke ch.24, part 1
the recent PT Summer Wives Conference I gave three talks on Lukeâs final chapter, ch.24, and to be honest I found the prep a real wrestle. Preachers know that feeling mid-way through the
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The working wife
was at the recent PT Summer Wives conference, invited along as a speaker. We had a panel question time on wide-ranging issues of ministry, and the perennial question arose of whether or not a
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Public praying
brings me to the paucity of public praying. Weâre preaching through Ephesians at the moment. Compare the glorious end of chapter 3 and what Paul prays for the Ephesians to what passes as
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Describing prayers? Just stop it.
heard someone praying on the radio the other day in a corporate worship service. Only he wasnât really praying. He was describing praying. And this passed for the petitions of the people. The
Trustees of The Proclamation Trust are delighted to announce the appointment of Nigel Styles as the new Director of the PT Cornhill Training Course. Nigel is currently senior minister of Emmanuel
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Preaching with spiritual power
Cunnington has written a very important book examining the relationship between word and Spirit in Calvin, assessing â“ as he goes â“ John Woodhouse and
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Dick Lucas sermon jam
weâve been talking about Dick, itâs surely worth reposting this sermon jam from the guys at St Peterâs Dundee. âNobody too far orf.â I love
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Dick Lucas on the need of the moment
his last trusteesâ meeting, Dick gave us one of his typical assessments of where we are as a church in the UK. Drawing on JB Philips, Dick told us that there is a great danger in the church
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Dick Lucas steps down as PT trustee
has been involved with PT since its inception â“ as many of you know. There are ways in which PT is Dick and vice versa, but weâve been wary of making that connection too strongly
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Far above rubies “ a short review by Mrs R
are constantly being asked the question âcan we have it all?â In Christian circles women are struggling with this too and ministersâ wives will certainly be wondering where they
have been hunting around for some time for a gift which I could give to a dear preacher friend and stumbled across a book of sermons from the very first years of the 19th Century. They were by a
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Another preacher’s prayer
part of my devotions I read a prayer a day from Valley of Vision. Sometimes these have great personal connection â“ other times I feel this is really something I need to hear as a
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Asking questions
R and I were interviewed on Moody Radio the other night about our new book, And then he knew her: a biblical view of sex (you can listen to the interview here if you really want!). Janet was very
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EMA Music
the EMA music. You try planning a music programme for 1,300 delegates from different background, cultures, liturgies and so on. It takes us ages and we fully realise we wonât please
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EMA Books (9)
last thing to say about EMA books, and this is a longer list. We have a list of new and notable titles â“ those that did not make it to stage recommendations. There are various reasons
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EMA Books (8)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked
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EMA Books (7)
Books (7) For the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our
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EMA Books (6)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked
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EMA Books (5)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked
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EMA Books (4)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked
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EMA Books (3)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked
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EMA Books (2)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our BookPanel liked
Proclamation Trust are delighted to announce the appointment of Carrie Sandom as Director of Women's Ministry. Carrie will work part time for the Trust alongside her existing role of women's
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EMA Books (1)
the next few days, we want to replay the EMA stage recommendations in terms of books, particularly for those who were not able to make it. These are not all the books our Book Panel liked
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A pastor’s wife’s tale
book I return to often is Garrison Keillorâs Leaving Home, his whimsical tales of life in a mythical Minnesotan town called Lake Wobegon. One story Iâve just re-read focuses on Judy
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Don’t try to be relevant!
recently preached at a friendâs church on a text he assigned me: Jude 17-25, at the end of a short series in the church on Jude. The big thing that struck is how remarkably similar our
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The next EMA
might seem a bit soon to start talking about the next EMA, given that this yearâs is only two thirds through. But most of us find that if we donât plan dates ahead, it just gets too
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Who’s at the EMA?
a small snapshot of who is at the EMA. Weâre not particularly obsessed with data, but we find itâs useful in terms of planning and thinking through exactly what the EMA looks
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Supporting expository ministry in Cuba
EMA starts today and, as usual since our move to the Barbican, weâve got an overseas missions project. The gathering of something like 1,300 gospel ministers from across the UK is a tangible
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Please pray for the EMA (5)
may we ask you to pray for the seminars running each day. These are a key element of the EMA and are the place where lessons are reinforced and developed. Pray for those speaking and those
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Please pray for the EMA (4)
weâre asking you to pray for the resources that will go out from the EMA. Our Bookstore is â“ I believe, our strongest yet. We have 1,300 plus titles, all hand picked. Amongst
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Please pray for the EMA (3)
we want to ask you to pray for the admin team. My small team has worked very hard to make the EMA a reality and I want to ask you to pray that we would be sustained as we serve you over the
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Please pray for the EMA (2)
weâre asking if you would pray for those attending. Weâve yet to crunch the numbers, but we have something like 1,300 people attending from some 750 or so churches. We have youth
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Please pray for the EMA (1)
week is the annual Evangelical Ministry Assembly. For many this is a significant three days in their annual calendar: recharging flat spiritual batteries; catching up with friends; stretching
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PT international director
and The Proclamation Trust (âPTâ) are delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Watkinson as International Director of The Proclamation Trust from the 1st September 2015.
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Baptism and all that
and I are doing a double-header this week on baptism, for the Cornhillers (note the judicious use of the comma; for the purposes of clarification, we're not baptizing any Cornhillers). It's been
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EMA clock ticking, but look at the space!
Barbican is a big venue. Itâs one of the main reasons weâre there. It means thereâs been room for growth which is important as, over the last 5 years, weâve welcomed to
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Beauty in words (2)
those who think Iâve lost it, here is a little excerpt of Suite Francaise. It describes a cat. Yes, thatâs right: a city cat travelling out of Paris with his owners who is able to
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Beauty in words (1)
written before about the beauty of words, but some half term reading brought the lesson home again, extremely vividly. A short break allowed me to catch my EMA breath and also devour
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The virtues of the preacher
preaching is difficult. And I think it is most difficult in one particular way. Itâs not difficult in the way that something like quantum mechanics is difficult - difficult because
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Finding types and hermeneutical bankruptcy
you read the NT at all (duh!) you will know that one rich road for preachers is to trace typology when it comes to OT texts. But where do you find types? Reacting against the overblown typology of
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Marriage & Ministry
long understood that for married preachers, healthy preaching is not only about good technique, it's about godliness in the home and marriage. It's one of the key reasons we have a ministry in
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Missing verses
was listening to a small part of the Radio 4 service last Sunday. I only tuned in to a short part so I had no idea where it was from, although David Robertson later illuminated me via the Book of
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Do you know how to switch off?
always struggled to switch off on my day off. Finding a day off (a real problem for some) has not vexed me so much, although â“ as every pastor knows â“ there are times
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Literal does not mean word for word
found this article by Doug Moo (a paper given at the 50th anniversary of the NIV) very helpful and clear with a general and particular application for preachers. The general application is that,
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Spring Ministers
may think it is too early to plan to be with us next year. But almost 200 have just spent a few days with us in Leicestershire this year and things soon book up - both at our end and, more
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Don Carson on Justification
yesterday's post I mentioned some audio from our recent ministers conferences. We've also continued working to add older media from our archives and now have almost every talk from every EMA
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Recent audio
from our recent Spring Ministers conferences is now online - senior ministers here, younger ministers here. We had Peter Adam on Habakkuk Paul Mallard on the uses of suffering in
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Better study equals better application
practical reason why preachers are tempted to short-circuit working hard on their Bible-text is because they feel the pressure to have compelling applications. And the truth is that it can
often hear theological positions described in terms of trajectory. That can be a very helpful and necessary analysis. Itâs insightful and useful to see where a certain path takes us if
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A tale of two books
just finished reading two fiction books I saw reviewed positively in the weekend papers. The first is The Good Girl by Fiona Neill, a rather sordid tale about a headteacher who discovers
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David Gooding resources
was preaching on Acts at last weekâs ministers conferences and in a very brief aside said: âAnything you can get hold of by David Gooding is always worthwhile.â I agree. Go and
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Where do you get your news from?
a preacher is to have some grasp of the world (and he must, mustnât he, to be effective) there is an interesting question: where do you get your news from? This was a question that was asked
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Cornhill fest, kind of
looked around on Sunday morning at church and was encouraged to see the influence of the Cornhill training course here in our medium size part of non-conformity. There's me, of course. But a few
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News about Christopher Ash
many of you will know, Christopher Ash will be stepping down this summer as Director of the PT Cornhill Training Course and as a member of the PT staff after 11 years. We are delighted that,
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The hard road
I left the world of business to become a minister, most people I knew thought I had taken an easy route. I'm still sure some of those close to me think that I work one day a week, dreaming up a
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The depth of faith
been great to hear from Habakkuk this week with Peter Adam. At the moment, we're deep into 2.4: 'the righteous person will live by his faithfulness" - a translation, incidentally, that Mr Adam
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Learn to search
real value of the enormous amount of information we now have at our fingertips is knowing how to search for it. And itâs in the intricacies of a search string that there is real power. To be
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The inspiration of Scripture and us
you ever wondered why the Spirit inspires as he does? 'But there is a place where someone has testified...' (Hebrews 2.6). Why doesn't the Spirit quietly (or even loudly) prompt the author of
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Habakkuk
kid you not. Peter Adam (pretty senior and conservative) has just done a rap on Habakkuk. Truly. No, really. When the video is uploaded, it's worth its weight in gold. But not as good as the
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EMA, 22-24 June 2015
still time to book for this years EMA though it's now less than 8 weeks away so if you were thinking of coming, take the opportunity to book now. The topic of this years conference - our
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Your daily prayer
wonder if you have something you pray regularly? Peter Adam, teaching us this week, has told us that there are things he needs to pray every day because they are expressing sentiments that are so
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Praying Scripture (again)
am sure I have mused on praying Scripture before. I am sure I shall do it again. For, you see, I'm not all that good at it. Neither are my people. And, I'm pretty sure, neither are you. The bulk
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Free ESV Study Bible
is a welcome announcement from Crossway. The Global Study Bible is now free to everyone either via www.esvbible.org or on an iPhone or iPad via the ESV Bible app or by downloading a free ebook
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Diversity and God
been thinking a lot about diversity, not least because Iâm leading a seminar on it at the EMA. We tend to talk about diversity in terms of completion: i.e. diversity somehow and in
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Taking a line in the difficult passages
are some passages in Scripture which are, frankly, very hard to understand. They just are. And sometimes your understanding of them may lead to very different applications, even opposite ones.
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The ambiguity of Ezra 10
is a book in my bloodstream. Iâve preached through it three times; taught it at Cornhill pretty much every year since Iâve been here; lectured it here and overseas and Iâm midway
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Pastoring the elderly
had an interesting evening about the elderly at church last Sunday with Stephen Hammersley, CBE, the new Chief Executive of Pilgrim Friends Society. Some of the stats are breath-taking in terms of
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Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2015
has now come and gone and so it's time to think about summer. In particular, time to get thinking about the EMA. This year's conference is at the Barbican centre and runs from 22-24 June 2015.
Lloyd-Jonesâ Preaching and Preachers he describes at one point what you might call the preacherâs glory-moment: âan awareness of a power not your own thrilling through the whole of
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PT at its worst
recently heard an online interview in which a good man described the view that preaching is simply good Bible explanation as âPT at its worstâ. I donât mind that too much. I know the
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The Passover sermon
Good Friday I preached on Exodus 12. I admit that finding new Easter messages each year is both frustrating (Iâm sure Iâve preached this sermon before) and exhilarating (isnât this
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Tracing themes in the Old Testament
of the ways to preach Christ from the Old Testament is to see how he is the fulfilment of the many key themes that run throughout the Bibleâs pages. This is rich picking for the preacher or
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A tale of two sermons
fortnight ago I heard two sermons in the space of just a couple of hours. Well, I say, sermons, but one was on the radio and was a pretty poor attempt. Both quoted 1 Cor 15. The first was from the
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The Spirit’s exegetical masterclass
was reading John 21 this morning â“ appropriate stuff for Easter time. This is what I read: 22 Jesus answered, âIf I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You
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‘Framework’ preaching, part 4
be a framework preacherâ is a warning often given round these parts. Iâm reflecting on it in this little series of posts. So far Iâve pointed out that: (1) everyone
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‘Framework’ preaching, part 3
be a framework preacherâ is a warning often given round these parts. Iâm reflecting on it in this little series of posts. So far Iâve pointed out that everyone has
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‘Framework’ preaching, part 2
be a framework preacherâ is a warning often given round these parts. Iâm reflecting on it in this little series of posts. So far Iâve pointed out that everyone has
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‘Framework’ preaching, part 1
be a framework preacherâ is a warning often given round these parts. As with all pithy headlines, itâs important to set out clearly what we mean. Iâll try and do a bit
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Lost art of Biblical meditation
week I was in the US which meant that I was up at the crack of dawn, literally. Iâm not a late sleeper anyway: not for the want of trying but I simply am unable to lie in: Iâm a lark
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Spring Senior Ministers
just putting the final touches to the Spring Senior Ministers programme, looks like an exciting time with some excellent input, both from Peter Adam and from David Robertson on apologetics: stuff
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Preaching through distraction
preachers from time to time (and some all of the time) have to preach through distractions. My old church used to be in the Heathrow flightpath and at 11.15 every morning (just as the sermon was
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A good judge of character, part 2
are we supposed to assess the behaviour of characters in OT narratives? Itâs not always easy, but the preacher needs to made a judgment. Hereâs the second of two test cases which
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A good judge of character, part 1
are we supposed to assess the behaviour of characters in OT narratives? Itâs not always easy, but the preacher needs to made a judgment. Hereâs the first of two test cases which
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What is expository preaching?
asked Dick Lucas for some help on back-to-basics Monday (OK I just made that up). What is expository preaching? His answer? There is a very straightforward answer, which is essentially
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I dare you
I have a dare for you. I want you to read Exodus 20.1-21. And then, on a piece of paper (or in your head) I want you to jot down in a few sentences how you would preach it. Iâve been
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Which lens?
I come across Christians who interpret the Scriptures through the lens of experience. No. Just, no. However, itâs quite possible to over-react, as though experiences counted for
soon time for our Spring Senior Ministersâ Conference (27 April â“ 20 April) at Hothorpe Hall. If youâve not been to one for a while (or ever) you may be surprised. There
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Typesetting Bibles
been preparing a sermon on Exodus 3 this week and have had to use an unfamiliar Bible translation (to me anyway). Itâs raised an interesting point. We often have heated discussions
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The minister and sexual purity
like me, you use the McCheyne Bible reading plan, youâll have spent some of the last few days in the early chapters of Proverbs. The chapters on sexual purity are especially challenging for
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Old and New
just finished watching the BBC documentary Inside the Commons, Michael Cockerill's unparalleled insight to the workings of the UK Parliament. I confess to mixed feelings. On the one hand, I have
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Where do you go…?
post raises an interesting question. Where do you send Christian couples for sexual help? Mrs R and I have looked into accredited training before now, but itâs a no go for most
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Wild Sex
R and I have just written a book on sex. Thatâs not news, particularly, but I was interested that as part of the process I sent a draft to one of the UKâs top secular sexologists for
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Using news stories as illustrations
older preacher I know stores up news stories in a file index system and retrieves them for use as illustrations as and when the need arises. That requires a level of dedication (and time) I simply
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No regrets
morning I spent a happy time with some of my tutees from the Cornhill Training Course. They come from a variety of backgrounds: Anglican and Free Church, married and single, older (some retired)
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Preaching and Leading
strokes for different folks. We all come from different traditions which determine what structure services have and who leads and preaches and â“ critically â“ whether
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Just in passing
of the most extraordinary truths in Scripture are mentioned almost in passing. Take Ephesians 1.11-14 for example. This was my passage on Sunday and it stirred me greatly. As you almost
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Some recent additions to our media resources
keep adding additional old resources to our media pages, as well as new material from conferences as they occur. We've just added audio from last week's wives conference here. Can I highlight
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When the word provokes
is useful for all kinds of things. And we must expect our preaching to sometimes teach, sometimes rebuke, sometimes correct and sometimes train in righteousness so that God's people are
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To fly to serve part 4
youâre bored with my metaphor, Iâm almost done. Iâve just got to land the plane. Step 4. Your long haul flight is useless without a safe landing. You can be as careful as you like,
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To fly to serve part 3
now, Iâm thinking I deserve a BA discount. Any takers? My metaphor may do wonders for the long haul travel market. Step 3 is in level flight. This is where the most part of the journey
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To fly to serve part 2
may already think I am making too much of my extended metaphor â“ in which case, take a week off from the blog and come back next Monday. But I have found that when we are training men
ho! My post today is about more than preaching. I love the language of preaching and hate it when people introduce me to say I'm going to 'explain the Bible' Â or 'give a talk': I happen to
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To fly to serve part 1
week Iâm at one of our wivesâ conferences and Iâm taking a short seminar on giving a bible talk. To be honest, this is not something we talk enough about. Sure, our key priority
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For the love of God
year I've returned to an old favourite in my morning devotions - Don Carson's two volumes For the love of God. I say two volumes, but I'm only using one at a time. Based on McCheyne's Bible
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That Friday feeling
couple of weeks ago, I wrote about post sermon blues and my own struggles in this area. But the truth is that my preaching crises are not limited to after the sermon. And for me, Friday's are
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New editions of Proclamation Bible
are two new editions of The Proclamation Bible out catering for rather different ends of the markets. First, there's an RL Allan Bibles version. Allan almost certainly make the most
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Teaching 2 Timothy
Forryan (Watford) has written a brief but kind review of Teaching 2 Timothy in this month's EN. He's perfectly understood what we're trying to do with our Teaching books and, whatever your level
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Daniel and the power of prayer
have just been re-reading the book of Daniel in preparation for teaching it at Cornhill, and I was struck afresh by the response Daniel is given to his prayer of national confession in chapter 9.
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Complex Cultures
it was a good two weeks in Asia, but can I just say that India is not the place to be when your cricket team are doing so disastrously in the World Cup. A large chunk of the population here
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Notes from another country part 5
been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. Weâve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. Itâs probably not appropriate
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Notes from another country part 4
been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. Weâve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. Itâs probably not appropriate
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Notes from another country part 3
been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. Weâve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. Itâs probably not appropriate
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EMA 2015 hosting
the past few years, a small army of volunteers have hosted EMA guests for the two or three nights of the conference. There a number of people for whom the cost of accommodation in London would
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Notes from another country part 2
been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. Weâve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. Itâs probably not appropriate
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Notes from another country part 1
been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. Weâve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. Itâs probably not appropriate
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Shepherding the flock into assurance, part 2
is a bit of a generalisation, but I reckon that if we asked our church members to state the main benefit we gain from repentance and faith in Christ, then in many churches
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Shepherding the flock into assurance, part 1
is Calvin in fine form. Heâs berating a group he calls âhalf-papistsâ. These people say that when we look at Christ we have an assured hope, but that we ought to âwaver and
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Being led to the New Testament from Genesis
teaching a course on Genesis at the moment at Cornhill. This morning we were asking what the right lines are to draw from Gen. 22.1-19 (the offering up of Isaac) to the New Testament. (I
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Too much of a good thing
ministers are reasonably well educated or, at least, have the time to immerse themselves in some richly rewarding reading. But it's easy for us to make the mistake of thinking that our people
Heritage Books have sent me this snappily titled little book (just 25 pages) on a very important subject. I wanted to like this book very much for it is a subject dear to my heart. But
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EMA 2015 “ New Buddy rates
first went to the EMA because someone invited me. Thanks Mr G. Most people do. I guess some people see the advertising or get an email, but the most powerful advert for any event is always a
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Preaching and corporate prayer
just been sent a booklet to review from Reformation Heritage Books called How do preaching and corporate prayer work together? Not the snappiest of titles! And Iâm posting this before
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Some new small group material
of the key issues for me with small groups is finding the right material. As regular readers know, recently weâve overcome this issue by simply reading the Bible together. Other times
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I love small groups. But.
of the great privileges I have is leading a small group at church. I love it. Small groups are great for many things. They are great for Bible studies (although finding good material can be a
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Monday blues
confess to being a serial sufferer of post Sunday blues when I've been preaching. For those who have never experienced this phenomenon (really?) this is the "down" some preachers feel after a hard
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The forgotten cross
been reading Lee Gatiss' excellent new little book, The forgotten cross, as part of my devotions these last two weeks. It a series of edited sermons on the cross, focusing especially on those
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Today in The Times
not often that there's a good Christian article in the otherwise secular press. But today's Thunderer in The Times is an exception to the rule. CoMission get an honourable mention! "Justin
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Sex problems for Christians
sometimes fail or struggle because of unresolved sexual issues or problems. That is a well documented fact. Christian marriages are, unsurprisingly, no different. We think differently about
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A good reading
funerals and thanksgiving services have readings that are really out of place. You can think of a few. But here's one used at Fred Catherwood's thanksgiving service which is both
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We're wired as musicians
is powerful. Perhaps that's why it causes such differences as it sometimes does amongst Christians. But despite the negative publicity, we are to think positively about the power of song in the
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Preaching crucifixion and resurrection
recent months I've posted occasionally here on Galatians, although Iâd forgive you for not noticing as itâs been very occasional. Galatians is a letter which in various contexts
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Feeling the provocation
of the most profound things God says to us in his written word are expressed in simple words and short sentences. That is especially true of the end of Matthew 11, which Iâve recently
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From the archives
still have a number of cassette tapes from early conferences which haven't made it into digital format. We're planning to make them available gradually over the next few months, as well as
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Proclaimer Bible (another chance to win)
we have a winner from our Proclamation Bible draw. Jonathan Gardner is part of the pastoral team at Mission Care in Bromley, a Christian Charity running nursing homes - congratulations to
never ceases to amaze me how we argue over labels. I realise, of course, that in our muddy evangelical world, labels are useful, if not essential. I use them myself. We need to know where others
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Cornhill this year?
20 and more years, weâve served local churches by training something like 1,000 men and women in expository ministry. We donât pretend that this is the only part of church life, but it
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Let the story sing
preaching on Judges 17-18 in a few weeksâ time â“ the story of Micah and his idols. Not a passage I would have chosen myself! Itâs been a challenge to prepare and think
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A measure of grief
watching my mother-in-law die. This time next week, in all probability, her earthly time will be over. Her kidneys have completely shut down, and itâs only a matter of days that the
of the less helpful things I hear young guys (especially) saying, is that their family unit (often with young kids) is a mini church. I think this comes from a genuine desire to lead families
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And yet another marriage book
am fully resigned to the happy fact that I will never be a great leader, because I have no plans to write a marriage book. It seems to be, increasingly, a prerequisite for leadership. And, plop, on
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The Proclamation Bible
not a great fan of Study Bibles for all kinds of reasons. Some are better than others â“ but even the good ones are limited by the theological position of those writing the notes
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Day training
PT team are out on the road again this year running local day training with gospel partnerships. These are suitable for anybody involved in a ministry of the word in the local church and a great
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We’re voting this year
not for a minute suggesting that you should tell your people how to vote (in fact, Iâve got a pretty strong idea that itâs illegal for a minister of religion to do so). However, in
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Ministers Conferences
not too early to book for our Spring ministersâ conferences. Next year, due to some expansion at Hothorpe, weâll have a bit of extra space. This year, both conferences are limited
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Happy New Year
here it is. 2015. I always enjoy reading the January Evangelicals Now for its list of notable anniversaries. We try and plan at least a few events in our church around some of these notable dates:
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That's it for Christmas
need a rest from posting every day and - frankly - you need a rest from reading every day! So, this is it until after Christmas. It is a joy and privilege to serve you by equipping and encouraging
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A Christmas Carol. A Christian Carol?
just finished reading through Dickensâ A Christmas Carol (pretty short, just 66 pages in my Best Ghost Stories). Itâs classic Dickens â“ and even if you donât go in
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The measure of the man
enjoyed reading recently some of Calvin's letters (£58 rather than the RRP of £90). It's always instructive to read someone's correspondence and, in Calvin, you find much to surprise you,
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Books etc
always encouraging to hear our books are used around the world, but it's not without risks - as this photo from a pastor's study in Indonesia
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Noticing the form as well as the content
it's an old cracked record, but it's a good tune. So often the key to a good sermon is in understanding the content of the text and the way it's put together. Take Judges 17-18 that I'm
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Keeping it simple in Galatians
got the privilege of preaching through the first part of Galatians right now. Last Sunday was 2.11-21. Itâs glorious, but not straightforward: with vs.11-14 a decision is required on
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Autumn Ministers - final media
final two talks from the recent Autumn Ministers conference were by Garry Williams. Garry is director of the John Owen Centre, part of the London Theological Seminary. His first talk was on the
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Autumn Ministers' Thessalonians
last month's Autumn Ministers conference, Nigel Styles took us through the book of 1 Thessalonians in three sessions. The audio and video from those are now available here. In case some might
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Winter (heart) warmers
month saw our annual Autumn Ministers conference, the audio from which is now online. Vaughan Roberts' opening and closing expositions from Revelation encouraged and challenged us in our
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Familiarity breeds.... well, something
been interesting in our preaching classes this term watching students grapple with Isaiah passages. As you would expect, there have been a variety of standards, but always good discussion about
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Preparing under pressure
morning I'm trying to prepare a sermon (to a deadline, as most sermons are). I'm doing so in the context of just hearing about a devastating pastoral situation of some close friends. I'm gutted
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EMA Seminars part 2
up on yesterdayâs post, here are the other seminars. All are open for booking for now. Seminar 4: Teaching Genesis. 3 one hour sessions helping preachers and teachers get to grips
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EMA seminars part 1
yearâs EMA is made up of plenary sessions and seminars. The seminars are of two types: those focused on preaching (preaching is the thing that brings us together) and those focused on the
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EMA 2015
long toyed with the idea of tackling some of the presenting issues that evangelicalism is faced with. Our panel of local church men who guide our thinking and planning have encouraged us
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EMA unity 2015
now finalised the EMA line up and seminar streams for 2015. Weâre at the Barbican again from 22-24 June, back in our normal slot and hoping to see many of you there. As with other
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Make time for conferences
a good article in this monthâs EN about why pastors should attend conferences. In broad terms, because pastors and preachers need help, they need to sit under ministry, they need
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Thoughts for Preachers on 2 Peter, #4
final thought on 2 Peter. This time itâs a difficulty of application. Peter spends a long time in ch.2 spelling out three things about the false teachers themselves: their destructive
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Thoughts for Preachers on 2 Peter, #3
on 2 Peter, this time on one of the letterâs tricky verses. What on earth is the second half of 2.10 saying about the false teachers?! âBold and wilful, they do not tremble as they
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Thoughts for Preachers on 2 Peter, #2
come to the end of 2 Peter. The final two verses are a terrific summary of Peterâs whole message to the believers: 3.17: Donât be carried into error and fall from your
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Thoughts for Preachers on 2 Peter, #1
had the opportunity to preach and teach 2 Peter in a few settings in the last eighteen months. So here follow four blog posts that might be helpful for others on this rich little
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The best sermon
best sermon your people will hear next week is the one you will preach them. Sure, there may be better delivered sermons on the internet. There may be sharper exegesis. There may be more targeted
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Woah. I never saw that.
an example of what I was talking about yesterday. I've preached through Numbers three times. I've written a book about it. I think I've got a reasonably good idea of what's going on and how it
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1 Thessalonians. No microwave meal.
guess 1 Thessalonians is the kind of book many of us think we know well. We think we've got the structure sorted, there are not too many difficulties exegetically etc etc. It's been refreshing
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Mystery worshipper
week we were at our Autumn Ministers conference and Vaughan kicked us off with Rev 2.1-7. I'm not sure that I've ever had a mystery worshipper visit a church in which I've been
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How to remember
been encouraging reading my friendsâ reports of Remembrance Sunday and how this is fast becoming the major evangelistic guest event in their church â“ for many, they are more
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Introductory thoughts on…introductions
the Cornhill Training Course we often find ourselves chewing over the question of what makes a good sermon introduction. There is no absolute right or wrong on this, but the following are a few
on from yesterdayâs post, here are, in summary eight reasons from Hebrews 2 why the incarnation was necessary: 1) Jesus needed to become human that he might lead us to glory (2:10).
are not always strong on the doctrine of the incarnation in our circles â“ which is a shame, not least because the Bible is very strong on it. Hebrews 2 gives us rich reflection on the
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The purpose of points
a recent Cornhill preaching class, we spent a bit of time discussing the purpose and value of giving clear teaching points or headings in a sermon. We tend to encourage students to make a habit of
yes, you are. Indeed we actively encourage students to learn how to do so wisely. Of course there were some good reasons why in recent decades many preachers moved away from the frequent
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Job opportunity at PT
pass this onto anyone in your congregation for whom it might be suitable. Thank you! Book-keeper (& buildings manager) Part-time (7-10 hours per week), starting early 2015 We are
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The power of story
read two very good stories whilst I was away. The first I had not read since I was at school â“ 30 years ago (ouch, that hurts!). It was George Orwellâs Animal Farm. I suppose
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This is reality. Be encouraged.
had a few days away last week staying on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk (sounds slightly more impressive than it really was). Sunday we headed to a local village parish church, just to the west
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Cornhill plus
mentioned a few weeks ago that Trevor Archer, who is the Training Director at FIEC, joined us at the Cornhill+ conference. He has since written an article reflecting on his time at the conference
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New Testament ‘controls’
a New Testament text sheds light on an Old Testament passage or book. Well, not just sometimes, quite often! It raises the question of how this can shape our preaching of the Old Testament
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Christ our pattern
powerful words from the pen of Donald Macleod, in what seems to have been an address to the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland: âThe Christ whom we are trying to follow
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Better than O Valiant Hearts. Much better.
than O Valiant Hearts. Much better. One of the great non-evangelical Remembrance Sunday hymns is O Valiant Hearts. Not really one to sing in church! All a bit jingoistic. But it's got a
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What kind of book is Acts?
my morning devotions Iâve just started reading Acts. Itâs a great book, isnât it? But daunting to preach. Especially because we wrestle with the question of whether itâs
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Real? Yes. And no.
weekend, there was an interesting piece in the Times magazine by über-feminist Caitlin Moran. Iâm not normally a fan, but this was an insightful article. In it, she explained how she had
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Training a church
did two things at the weekend at church, which in hindsight would have been better separated apart. However, they were both part of an initiative which seeks to see the church trained as well as
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Speaking simply
struggle to speak simply. Although I regularly exhort the Cornhill students to convey their meaning with simplicity, I myself default to complexity in my own homiletic preparatory labours. (Yes,
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Some war books (yawn)
a great believer that Christian leaders should read non Christian books. There's no particular theological reason for that. I want to be careful in saying Christians have much to learn from the
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Kingdom Come Revisited
Storms' Kingdom Come has been around now 18 months or so. Not everyone is going to be persuaded by his arguments and conclusions (for amillennialism), but I have found the book truly useful.
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Week by week
always need to make a case for consecutive expository preaching. We're not so naive as to say that all preaching must take this form, but that we believe that the normal diet of a flock of God's
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Just a great hymn
saying. Even if you don't want to sing it, you could at least use it in your devotions. Some authors have a way with words... See, the conqueror mounts in triumph, see the King in royal
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Learning to pray in public
a thought: how many pastors of churches lead their church not just in preaching the word, but in public prayer? I donât mean the intercessory stuff thatâs become the meat and
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Delighting in Orthodoxy 101
Christian ministers, we need to constantly fight the battle to find delight in the most basic truths of Christianity. Without this battle, we become immune to the wonders and awe of the gospel and
a pastor, knowing the state of his congregation, sees that in Sundayâs bible passage there is some truth he judges they badly and urgently need. OK, it is not the main point of the
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Must there be a Big Idea?
with many others seeking to train in expository bible ministry, we at the PT Cornhill Training Course make âthe Big Ideaâ one of the key pillars of our training strategy. For
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Making Job less impenetrable
is Holy Scripture. I know that. But I also know that some things in Scripture, by its own admission, âare hard to understand.â I put Job in that category. Not that there arenât
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Having a bad day?
are some days in ministry which are just bad. It may be a personal struggle with sin which defeats you, even though you know it should not. It may be a struggle with a sermon: youâve been
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The four stages of man
is always helpful for the preacher to be thinking through to whom he is preaching in terms of their spiritual state. Thomas Boston is helpful here with his fourfold state, picking up on
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Fresh insights
like reading theology. Maybe itâs just the way my brain is wired. Itâs not that I read theology in place of grappling hard with Scripture for myself and then coming to Bible
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Spot the difference?
standing at the front of church, the first song has started and you look out to the sea of faces in front of youâ¦Bobâs fidgeting and generally looking very awkward, Sophie looks
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Anatomy of a sermon: an afterword
presented a rather idealised view of my week, I know. The truth is, in pastoral ministry, I often was preparing 2 sermons and a Bible study concurrently, so I was doing what I've
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Anatomy of a sermon: Day 5
I work on the manuscript. I reduce it to thoughts and ideas and preach from those â“ that happens to be my style. Years ago I used to do this with a fresh piece of paper. Sometimes I
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Anatomy of a sermon: Day 4
the end of today I want a draft finished sermon. That means I work through the value added bits that will turn a dry lecture into a living message â“ introduction, illustration (where
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Anatomy of a sermon: Day 3
I hope the sermon starts to take shape. It does that in two ways. First I begin to see how the passage can be preached in terms of structure â“ in other words, what is the best way to
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Anatomy of a sermon: Day 2
2 I get working on the text. This is when my piece of paper is transformed from a blank sheet, to a colourful working board. I use different colours for different ideas â“ nothing as
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Anatomy of a sermon: Day 1
(Monday for the purposes of this blog, but normally for me Day 1 is Tuesday), I just want to let the text sink in. I print it out onto a piece of paper in two or three versions, Greek too if
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Anatomy of a sermon
week on the blog Iâm going to walk through my sermon preparation process. Iâm doing this simply because I often get asked how I go about it. Thereâs going to be nothing
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Republication and all that
may have been following the republication debate in the US. Or not. Essentially this is a question of whether the Mosaic Covenant is a republication of the covenant of works with Adam or
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Books
was away last week at a hugely encouraging Cornhill+ conference. I love these residential stays with 10 or so guys: really good conversations, prayers and so on. We did a session of book reviews
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Go on! Let’s ignore history. Not.
I'm studying a passage, I try to work things through on my own first of all. I donât read a commentary before I've done any study. But I do read them. I am not certain enough of my own
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Convictions about ministry
just finished our small Cornhill+ conference for Cornhillers who are in ministry and want to do some extra training, but for whom college is not appropriate or practicable. We had a great
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Not everyone is a preacher and that’s fine
week has been the first week back for our Cornhill students. I love working with them â“ even though itâs not the main part of my job. I have the job of tutoring some, teaching a
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When the passage overwhelms
week I preached Luke 4.1-13 (the temptations of Jesus). I found it an overwhelming passage. There is immense truth in it: deep, deep things which search the very nature of salvation determined
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1 John (talk 1, part 4)
rival Christ Let me define antichrist a little further. When you see the word âantichristâ written down, you immediately think of someone who is an opponent of Christ and of course that
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1 John (talk 1, part 3)
the false and encouraging the true Now what it shows is that in this letter (and this is very important for the preacher) that John both exposes the false and encourages the true. He does
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1 John (talk 1, part 2)
are the antichrists? So, the anti-Christ. What a startling title it is! I wonder what your understanding of the anti-Christ is. I suppose I had in my mind the man of lawlessness in 2
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1 John (talk 1, part 1)
John - lecture one This was prepared primarily for pastors and teachers who want to do a series in their churches and so my aim was to help the preacher, rather than to comment on commentaries. In
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Introduction to 1 John
will have noted that Dick Lucas turned 89 yesterday. Beginning today, we re-publish as a mini-series of blog posts a paper by Dick from 2007 on 1 John. 1 John - an introduction âDear
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Climbing the hills
had a great holiday away by the shores of Lake Annecy in the French Alps - highly recommended for its stunning scenery and warm water. We were at the foot of La Semnoz, a 5,500 ft mountain used as
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What to make of Elihu?
of the most perplexing things about the book of Job (and there are many) is what to make of Elihu, the "fourth" friend. His speeches are long and involved and it is therefore important, in the
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And finally, another book what I read
some biographies I read was that of Sir Edward Pellew, naval captain in the time of the Napoleonic Wars, made famous today because he features heavily in the fictional Hornblower series.
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Some books what I read (2)
also enjoyed Churchill and the Secret Service by David Stafford. Using recently released material, Stafford surveys the role and relationship Churchill had with the intelligence services, in
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Some books what I read (1)
is my reading time. Not Christian books, particularly. I load up the kindle (cheaper and lighter than loading the suitcase) with some novels, biographies and histories and off on holiday I go.
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Learning to lament
is âone of the chief duties of the Christian in declining times. Christians are to weep over the sins of the church, the transgressions of the nation, and the fearfulness of
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Setting up the sermon
is always refreshing and interesting to visit other churches, and we have had that privilege during the summer break. In a church we visited recently, I was particularly struck (and encouraged) by
16. âDemonstration of the Spirit and of Powerâ This is the most controversial chapter of the book, in which MLJâs wider theology of the Spirit (which we wonât get
15. The Pitfalls and the Romance An odd mixture of topics in this chapter. The âpitfallsâ are two: Preaching the same sermon in different contexts. MLJ is happy
14. Calling for Decisions MLJ devotes a whole chapter to the question of the âaltar callâ, he says, because it was a controversial one when he was writing (the late
13. What to avoid Thatâs a pretty clear chapter title! He speaks first of the preacher himself. The central advice is: âwatch over your natural gifts and
12. Illustrations, Eloquence, Humour MLJ is opposed (unsurprisingly) to reading out a manuscript in the pulpit. But (more interestingly) heâs also against memorising the
11. The Shape of the Sermon MLJ here considers different elements in the shaping of the sermon. Introduction. There are two possibilities: show the application being made in
10. The Preparation of the Sermon MLJ now gets practical, and addresses a couple of topics: Preaching series. He doesnât want hard and fast rules. We should
9. The Preparation of the Preacher This is a remarkably rich chapter. In it heâs talking not about how the preacher should prepare his sermon, but about how he should prepare
8. The Character of the Message The chapter sets out âcertain conclusionsâ on the relation of the listeners to the preacher. First, the preacher must take account of the
7. The Congregation MLJ has two errors in view in this chapter. On one side, he is critical more than once of young preachers he knows who became so enamoured with the Puritans
6. The Preacher The next logical question to ask, says MLJ, is: who then is to be a preacher? Important here is Acts 8.4-5, which describes all kinds of Christians as
5. The act of preaching MLJ describes this chapter as a general introduction to sermon delivery. Certain elements must be present: - the whole personality of the preacher
4. The form of the sermon He starts with some thoughts on sermon content. Our primary call is to deliver the whole message of Scripture. We much of course expound the part, but
3. The sermon and the preaching Partway through this chapter, MLJ gives what he calls the basic definition of preaching. What is that man doing there?, he asks... - âhe
2. No Substitute A key principle set out in this chapter is: âthe ultimate justification for asserting the primacy of preaching is theologicalâ. What he is
that the Cornhill term is over Iâm getting down to some more intensive reading on preaching. One Iâm particularly enjoying is Martyn Lloyd-Jonesâ Preaching and Preachers.Â
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 10
series . Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 9
series . Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 8
series . Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 7
series . Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 6
series. Â Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 5
series . Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 4
series #1. Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 3
series. Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 2
series. Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Preaching Christ from the OT, part 1
series . Some years ago, we asked Sinclair Ferguson to write a brief paper for us on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Over the next week or so, weâre going to publish an edited
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Why reading is so good for me. And you?
love reading. I don't think that comes as a surprise to many who know me or visit my office where I am trying to cultivate a Polytechnic version of a Oxbridge Don's study with various piles of
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2 Cor 4.7-18
part III of Mike Cain's excellent expositions. They'll not stretch you exegetically: they're not supposed to. But the stretch is in warm, encouraging, convicting and challenging application
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2 Cor 4.1-6 at the EMA
hope you were stirred by yesterday's exposition on 2 Cor. This is equally good, if not better. Music to my
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2 Cor 3.1-18 at the EMA
had a great time at the EMA and I'm truly sorry if you could not join us. One of the clear highlights was Mike Cain's expositions on 2 Cor 3-4. They are - I believe - essential listening for those
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Just....wow
Preacher. Here's a thought. Chief amongst your applications arising from any passage in the Scriptures should be this: to encourage and help your congregation lose themselves in wonder at the
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Using the NIV audio Bible
this week, a third use for this superb resource or, for that matter, any decent audio Bible. 3. Use it in your church We've just finished a Bible study series on Numbers using this
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Using the NIV audio Bible
another way you can use the NIV audio Bible, or - indeed - any audio Bible. 2. Use it for your family Family devotions are difficult. Have you noticed that? Finding time, material,
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Using the NIV Audio Bible
new NIV audio Bible read by David Suchet is superb. Simply superb. It's not just that he has a British voice (although I do think that hearing the Bible read in your own language is just, well,
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Sorry: websites cannot save
if you've missed us! We've been hacked and have had to do some serious reconstruction work. But we're back and the booking system is now up and running. Fortunately, we don't put our trust
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Evangelicals Now
am proud to be associated with Evangelicals Now. I think reading and praying through Christian news to be an essential part of living out the gospel. If you know nothing about EN this little video
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EMA 2014 missions project
exciting development at last year's EMA was our decision to promote an overseas book project. We have so many resources in the English language available in the UK that it seemed to us right and
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And so it begins...
join us in praying for today's EMA. We long that God would graciously use our time together to build gospel ministries and relationships. We are welcoming almost 1,000 people in ministry from
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Lots of funnily dressed men come to town
it's not the Tour de France. True, 180 sweaty men in lycra does seem to make the news. But we've got 1,000 (hopefully not too sweaty) men in chinos, and quite a few women too (not in chinos and
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New website
may have noticed that the PT material has now migrated to a new website, much easier to use and navigate and mobile and tablet friendly. That means the PT app will no longer be supported. Do
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Not losing heart
means to lose heart or be discouraged. It's an important Bible word and appears 4 times in the New Testament. The verses are worth considering: Luke 18.1. Jesus tells the parable of the
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Pastoral integrity and Job 22
enjoying Job in my personal devotions at the moment, making much use of Christopher's new commentary which is superb. I've got to chapter 22, Eliphaz's last speech, and it's a ripper. In it,
re-reading Spurgeon's Lectures to my Students in order to write a contribution for a book and I'm gripped once more by Spurgeon's chapter brilliantly titled "Attention!" In it, he sets out
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Next week's EMA
just over one week until this year's EMA. We're starting Tuesday this year to allow me to see the Tour de France in London. Sorry, that should read, we're starting Tuesday this
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Rejoicing in the holes in the ground
spent this week preaching on Ezra at one of our conferences. Even though this is now very familiar territory for me, it still feels fresh, exciting and challenging. For example. Chapter 3
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EMA books
of books are variations on a theme. Good variations, but variations nonetheless. I'm a fan of such books if they have something new and useful to say, a new insight or angle that helps us as
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More EMA books. Bonus plus time at the EMA
there's more... of course there is. We've got 1,250 titles, of which something like 250 are new.Here is another that I'm very excited about. It's Krish Kandiah's Paradoxology.
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EMA books
year's EMA sees the launch of some new books which are so good I want to mention them in advance. One of these is DayOne's superb new coffee table book Evidence for the Bible. I've
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EMA: What I'm excited about...
year's EMA really excites me. That is, in part, because the subject matter is something that I think I need to learn more about and grasp. After all, God has called me to be a preacher and - for
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The importance of how we preach
is easy to forget that it is not only important to say the right thing when we preach, but also to say it in the right way. By that I mean not so much choosing our words carefully and structuring
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EMA songs
busy this week getting ready for three conferences, including the EMA. And so it's time to start telling you about some of the things coming up at the EMA. Take music for example:
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EMA songs
on from yesterday you might like to know we're also singing this new version of My hope is built on nothing less. The video gives you an idea in a broad sense. But you do need to know
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Why the long speeches?
really appreciating Christopher's new book on Job in Crossway's Preaching the Word series. It's available in the UK at the EMA and afterwards. Here's some really helpful
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Three weeks to go...
three weeks until the Evangelical Ministry Assembly. We'd love to see you from 8-10 July at the Barbican Centre in London. Don't forget we've some free accommodation still
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Careful who you call a heretic
we have to call out false teachers. It's the Bible way. We ought to do that soberly, carefully and wisely. There's no place for a heresy hunter in the pulpit. That's not just a personal
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Face to face
all the sterile wonders of movies and television and radio will fail to wipe it out - a living man in communication with a living audienceâ I was moved by those words from the
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Chappo’s 20%
I first started preaching I was given a series of videos by the Australian evangelist John Chapman (now in glory) on how to prepare a sermon. Anyone who has heard Chappo will know that he was a
my previous post on the significance of the Spirit in Galatians, here’s a second in a similar vein, this time on the cross. Here are the all the references: 1.4; 2.20, 21;
wrote in a recent Proclaimer about the overall aim of Galatians. I’m following that up with a couple of posts on two significant themes in the letter. The first seems to be quite
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So what?
am preparing to preach John 2:13-22 this Sunday. In some ways it is quite a simple passage. The exegesis is not too difficult. Nor is the central point, that Jesus is the true Temple, the presence
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Keep it focussed!
Sunday away recently brought home to me afresh how very important it is not to overload our sermons with cognitive content. The sermon had five long sub-points to the first point. All worthy. All
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The purpose of Galatians
doing some work in Galatians at the moment. It’s a tough letter, as you know, over which several big debates rage. And the preacher can’t avoid taking a view on some
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How much history do you need?
starting a teaching series at Cornhill this morning on Ezra, one of my two specialist subjects. (I always felt it was good to have two, just in case I got through the first round of
me smile. A little. Too much golf to be close to
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Just a thought...
Bank Holiday Monday today in the UK (again, we get two in May). That means the office is empty. But here's an extraordinary thought, gleaned from my "Daily Trivia Calendar" -
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How to make the most of the EMA
EMA runs from 8-10 July. We plan it as a conference, albeit a big one. But it is more than a conference. You could do a lot worse than coming along and sitting in the sessions, raising your
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Free accommodation for the EMA
arranged some free accommodation for those coming to the EMA, each with a Christian family local to central London. If you're planning on coming and need somewhere to stay, please do
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Back to Basics
week I was at “The Basics,” a pastors conference run by Alistair Begg and hosted by Parkside Church, Chagrin Falls, near Cleveland, Ohio. This is a wonderful example of a church to
is from David Wells’ recently published God in the Whirlwind: How the Holy-Love Reorients our World: ‘the rapidity with which the whole of the media-filtered,
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Ministry mates
working slowly through Job in my devotions, making much use of Christopher's forthcoming Preaching the Word volume (available at the EMA). I've got as far as chapter 16 where Job
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Man's search for something...
R and I reading The History of the World in 100 Objects, one short chapter each night before sleep. Or, rather, I am reading Mrs R a chapter each night. Who said romance is dead? Neil McGregor,
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Jack's back again.
few people emailed me about last week's post about long series. It's quite true, of course, that long series are not necessarily good things without qualification. What - one reader pointed
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Popular solutions?
to read Iain Murray's take on T4G in this month's Banner of Truth magazine: Archibald Brown [our own church's first pastor and Spurgeon's successor at the Metropolitan
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Jack's back. And you can preach long series.
not yet watched any of the latest series of 24. To be honest, I got bored 5 series ago. It's recorded and may get watched, but I'd been too engrossed in BBC2's excellent, thought
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Death before the fall
be honest, many of us spend a lot of our time reading books we already agree with. That's no bad thing. Reinforcing truth already learnt is an important part of Christian growth and sometimes
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Sweet Sleep
some BBC news today about sleep - nothing particularly new if you've kept up with other sleep research (what do you mean, you haven't?). Interesting nonetheless. And completely
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Leather Proclamation Bible
even better in leather. £32 is nice price for leather edition from
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Links and stuff
had a great time away at two full ministers' conferences. Never fear. Next year there's a touch more room. So we'll all squeeze happily in. This time around several of the speakers
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Why we preach?
may be many reasons why you preach? Perhaps you're good at it? Perhaps you enjoy it? Perhaps you couldn't find another job!? Perhaps you kind of fell into it by accident or
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How preaching Christ can damage your people
thoughts from David Helm at our younger ministers' conference: it's a sobering thought, Mr Preacher, that it's quite possible to preach Christ and damage your people. That
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Terminology may matter
been thinking a little this week about what we call ourselves. Partly that's because I'm taking a session this evening on why and how we should love our people. I guess the two key
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The professionalisation of ministry
believe the care of souls is in such a deplorable state in otherwise orthodox (and often growing) churches because of the failure to love on the part of pastors....We pastors are being killed by
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Woodhouse on 2 Sam 6
no denying that 2 Sam 6 is a hard chapter. We're enjoying looking at it at the Spring Ministers' conferences. But, suggests, John Woodhouse, our problems with the passage
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Store it up
Bullmore on preaching: "the sermon is not a container to contain everything you have discovered about the text." Preachers would do well to remember this. And by the way, the lamp
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Toplady reloaded
heard a wonderful story this week at our ministers conference. Our Australian visitors were on holiday staying in a small village in Dorset and went out for a walk. They walked through the
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Preaching and painting
impressionists transformed the painting world. Instead of concentrating hard on what they saw and trying to reproduce it, they looked at the world then painted 10 strokes for every glance at the
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Two new editions of journals
new editions of journals worth your time. First, the new edition of Credo is out. It's notable this month for a very short piece on baptism containing short explanations of various views. Not
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It can still be expository preaching if....
not a sermon on in a series on a Bible book. It makes good and wise sense for a decent amount of a church’s preaching to consist of consecutive expository sermons through Bible
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It can still be expository preaching if....
just preach one verse. Text preaching! Perish the thought. Then again, no. It's patently clear that some of the greats of the past did this. Their sermons were
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It can still be expository preaching if....
preacher doesn’t take us explicitly through every verse in the passage. Different preachers will take different views on how often they should say “now look with me at
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Search page
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It can still be expository preaching if....
a particular week in the rough-and-tumble of pastoral ministry the preacher hasn’t been able to put in the study hours to work out all the tough bits of his preaching-text. Take the end
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EMA. Coming Soon.
that was Easter. Now you can book for the EMA. And here's a reason why. Do you know why you preach? I know it's a biblical command, but why? And what is God doing as you preach? Can
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A very happy Easter
stand in a long tradition of grumpy Christians who think we don't need festivals to celebrate key Christian doctrines. We should be doing it all the time. The early church met the first day of
may have heard the news last week of the tragic death of Peaches Geldof, one of the children of Bob Geldof and the late Paula Yates. Cause of death is uncertain at the moment, but it looks
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A fable about preaching chiasms
usual, I read through the passage before starting my sermon preparation. As I did so, it struck me forcibly that this passage could perhaps be structured in a certain way. I wasn’t sure, but
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Gifts and grace
is the second of J.C.Ryle’s applications from Luke 10:17-20. Gifts… are very inferior to grace. Ryle is commenting on Jesus’ words, “…rejoice that your
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How much success can you bear?
am using J.C.Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on Luke’s Gospel for my personal devotions. Although his thoughts are not always dead centre on the main theme of a passage, they are
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What to do with your guitar
been flicking through Jeremy Fletcher's Rules for Reverends. Some are laugh out loud funny. Some are remarkably insightful. Some (mostly to do with Anglican hierarchy, I just don't get:
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Paradoxology
Kandiah's new book is really very good. Christianity is full of paradoxes which are not meant to be solved, but properly and reverently held in tension. Krish's book doesn't give
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Bring a bike
got almost 200 guys coming to our ministers conferences this spring. I'm really looking forward to it. And just to say.... if you have a bike and fancy a country ride, do bring your
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Tackling obsessions
been reading Tony Merida's Faithful Preaching recently and was struck by this quote which is worth repeating as an encouragement to every preacher this Monday morning. Numbers are
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Preaching holy war
difficult to preach pretty much any Old Testament book without coming to the rather vexed question of divine war [Incidentally, Tremper Longman III argues that "divine war" or
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The first chapters of everything
have just spent two glorious lunchtimes sitting on our roof in the springtime sun reading Alasdair Paine's new book on Genesis 1-4. It's a great read. Its based on sermons at Christ Church
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Thank you, Lord, for John Richardson
best introduction to the book of Revelation is still far and away John Richardson's little primer. Worth its weight in gold, in fact. This week we learnt that John was called to glory, long
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New IT initiative today
delighted to announce today a new initiative from PT. We've developed a highly sophisticated IT system that can automatically determine and evaluate Big Idea sentences provided they
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Why the hermeneutic matters
working out OT lines of application, it's perfectly possible to get to at least one of the "right" answers (by which I mean appropriate) with the wrong hermeneutic. For example,
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Momentous moment
is the day that PT officially switches its shirt supplier from Boden to Joe Brown's of Leeds. I feel I've been here nearly five years and this is the time for this momentous
that BBC gave him airtime and allowed him to answer the
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The no make up selfie pastor
resisted the urge to post a no-make-up selfie. It's insanity multiplied. It did get me thinking however about Kathryn Jenkins. She has a nice voice. And she is normally well made
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An important new book
just finalising an exciting new book by Josh Moody and Robin Weekes entitled Burning Hearts. It's all about preaching to the affections, and it's been great reading it, editing it
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Demolishing Chalke's lodestars
the various debates and arguments regarding inerrancy, Chalke has regularly come back to two situations: Numbers 15 and the man gathering wood on the Sabbath and the two apparently conflicting
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The essential Christian library
been asked to come up with a list of 12 books that would be part of an essential Christian library. I'm very nervous about such lists because they often (a) reveal more about you than
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Why should a Christian study Job?
me be more precise. Why should a Christian make a careful and thoughtful study of the whole of the book of Job, rather than being satisfied with a rough idea of the storyline and a few of the
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Marriage enrichment in Huddersfield
is, apparently, in the centre of the Universe. As some of you will know if you're linked through on Facebook, Mrs R and I are off there on Saturday 29 March to do some marriage
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Divorce and remarriage
it comes to marriage, divorce and remarriage, pastoral problems are increasingly complex. Today I'm running a study day chez nous for some of our students on these particular issues.
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The pastor: a man for all the people
always enjoy reading obituaries, but I've particularly enjoyed reading the warm appreciations written for UK politician Tony Benn who died last week. He was a true socialist, what we call a
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For your coffee table...
on your coffee table? If you have one, of course. Some worthy travel books and a few battered copies of What Car? Or, to put it another way, when neighbours or friends come round your
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Grieving over the loss of a child?
of the most intense pain and grief known to man is that of parents who have lost a child. I'm glad to see, therefore, that Nancy Guthrie is over in the UK teaching on Job in Manchester on 3
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What is the meaning of sex?
just finished reading this new book by Denny Burk, published by Crossway and available in the UK for around £11.50 or as a £7 ebook. It's a comprehensive review of the
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Sovereign Compassion
a good little afterword in this month's Modern Reformation magazine. Carl Trueman is writing about the kind of reductionism which makes pastoral responses to disaster and tragedy
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Preacher as DJ
used to be a radio DJ. I know, I know - hard to believe, but true nonetheless. I guess, as a failed musician, the next best thing was playing other people's records. And it's not a bad
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Summer Wives. Get your church investing.
come back from a hugely encouraging spring wives' conference with 107 married women. Great ministry from John Samuel (Duke Street Church, Richmond) and Clare Heath-Whyte (from Frogmore).
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If you must...
if you must... here is part 2 of the Chalke-Wilson debate from Premier TV. This is actually a helpful episode, because Andrew draws out from Steve what he really thinks about historicity, where
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Watching over the flock
again (see here and here). And again today. Sad though it is, in a way I am glad that Steve’s statement is such a blatant expression of already existing liberal positions. Better to have
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A great book. A truly rubbish cover.
designs have come on leaps and bounds. But even so, there's no accounting for the 2004 cover of Eric Lane's Special Children. It is truly, awfully so bad that I cannot show it to you
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What if...?
here's a thought. What if our introductions and illustrations were not a function of the message but rather of the congregation? It's long intrigued me that some of the great puritan
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"Of course I believe the Bible's true"
hosted a debate between Steve Chalke and Andrew Wilson (NFI). Andrew is a good guy and this is worth watching to follow up on the issue I raised last week. It's a great camera angle.
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Job, Satan and God's governance
people are puzzled by Satan's appearance in heaven's throne room in Job 1. I'm just reading through Job in my devotions, making use of Christopher's forthcoming commentary on Job
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Christian books on sex.
are LOTS of Christian books on sex. It's useful to know which are worth passing on without having to read them all. Here are Mrs R and my favourites. But it's worth saying that pretty
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Chalke. Again.
can't help thinking that Steve Chalke's "helpful" contributions are rarely that. This is his latest - his views on biblical inerrancy which do little to add to the debates except
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EMA International Reception
year at the EMA we have a special reception to welcome those from overseas attending the EMA. It's important to us to recognise that some people make a sacrifice to come to the EMA, and that
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It's that book. Again.
is a repost of a book review from April 2012. I'm reposting it because I'm just reading this book with someone and have been reminded how useful it has been to me. It's not one of
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Spring Ministers Conferences
are you doing in May? I know, it seems an age away, but both of our Spring Ministers conferences are filling fast. We've got two weeks: Week 1 is 28 April through 1 May and is
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EMA accommodation
year a small army of volunteers hosted EMA guests for two or three nights to enable people out of London to attend. We'd love to expand that programme this year. It's really helpful for
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Preaching the floods
can’t open a newspaper or watch a TV report at the moment without thinking we’re in some kind of post-apocalyptic world. Floods. Storms. Snow (if you’re in the US or Japan).
with me, if you're not a baptist. I spent an afternoon last week Dr Williams' Library as I posted here. The bulk of my time was reading about the life of Benjamin Keach and reading some
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Praise! Words edition
in the dim and distant past we used to cart around words copies of Praise! hymnbook (see contents here). We project words at conferences now, but still have the words editions. We've no
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The necessary treadmilll
various reasons, last week was a busy week. I'm only the Associate Pastor, but occasionally (especially when Senior Bob is away) I pick up the tab. So, last week was more like a
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Introductions. Still.
introductions are just too long. They may seem worthy on the page, engaging even. They may seem important to the overall thrust. They may give you the opportunity to tell the story you've
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And after the Bible reading...
where the sermon usually comes in our services, maybe with a hymn or song in between if you like that kind of thing. I wonder, though, whether the goal of comprehensible
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Encouragement for preachers
is much more recent, but a useful corrective for us all. This is David Jackman at the 2006 EMA (listen online here for free, or read the pdf). I wonder if we have so over-reacted to the
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Encouragement for preachers
always good to be reminded of what is going on when we preach. Do we really grasp this enough? I'm not sure we do. For if we did, wouldn't our praying and our preparation and even
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Encouragements for preachers
golden nuggets this week for Bible preachers and teachers. All taken (or, rather quoted in) a forthcoming PT title on preaching to the affections. First up, Richard Baxter, himself quoted by
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What kind of fellow are you?
it's good to just laugh a little. Some preachers need to do this a bit more. So, what kind of fellow are
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Just one way?
there just one way to preach a passage? No, says John Woodhouse: Have you ever had the experience of working your way through a book of the Bible one year and then coming back to it another
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Middle of the road preaching
comments from our very own Dr Jonathan on 2 Timothy exhortations that - almost certainly - qualify the command to "preach the word" Formally it is possible that verse two
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Through all the changing scenes of life
just working on editing Teaching 2 Timothy written by Jonathan Griffiths and have just enjoyed reading his chapter on Paul's famous exhortation to "preach the Word."
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Women in Ministry audio and video
talks from the Women in Ministry conference with Kathleen Nielson and muggins here are now online. Audio and video is available here. Kathleen was speaking on Genesis and I was doing Ezra as part
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Will you please pray?
you've attended a PT conference recently, chances are you've met Tom Forryan, the delightful pastor of Derby Road Baptist Church in Watford. He's a PT regular. You may have heard in
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Talking about sex
been thinking about sex a lot. That didn't quite come out as I expected, but it did get your attention. Let me explain. For one reason and another, the subject of sex (and in particular
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Christopher on marriage. In the US?
has written two books on marriage, a popular level one ("Married for God") and a more comprehensive, deeper volume - Marriage: Sex in the service of God. This latter volume is
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Audio Bibles
may have seen that the ESV is free from Christian Audio for this month. Worth a download! Not free, but quite superb is Hodder's anglicised NIV which is slowly coming out in chunks, full
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Book link: Stirred by a noble theme
you've listened to or watched the audio from our Autumn Ministers Conference you'll know that David Gibb referenced a book on the psalms which had just been published. I don't think it
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A preaching allegory from JMW Turner
had a day off last week and the ever-effervescent Mrs R took me for my post Christmas treat to the JMW Turner exhibition at the National Maritime Museum. As well as having one of the best views of
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Practical Ministry Workshop
Mr Preacher. We've got two spaces available at the May Practical Ministry Workshop. These are small (10 people plus David Jackman) working conferences at the lovely Oasts conference centre.
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EMA seminars live today
we're announcing the EMA 2014 seminar streams. Each delegate (space permitting) can pick from one of the six streams running each afternoon. We've tried to tie them in to the main
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Encouragement for preachers
Friday. That means Sunday is getting close. You're either well set (if you're that kind of early prep preacher) or just getting started (last minute preacher). Either way, Sunday can
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The preacher's friends. Or lack thereof.
would you say, are your friends? Not twitter followers. Not Facebook friends. But real life, tangible friends. The kind of friends you tell stuff to. The kind of friends you pray with. The kind
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Women in ministry
away at the moment speaking and serving at our Women in Ministry conference with 73 women serving local churches up and down the country. It's a very encouraging time. That's partly
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A children's talk idea
just beginning something new at our church. Last year, in our Sunday gatherings, we worked through the New City Catechism, one question each week. This year, we're trying something new. We're
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And now..... introducing the preacher
do you, the preacher, want the service-leader to announce that the sermon is coming next? Many of us will have thought that through. Many will have tried to educate our leaders to
was reminded on a recent conference about a story from Steve Farrar's book Finishing Strong. I think there are better books for evangelicals on this subject. Nevertheless, this is a powerful
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Well known stories trip us up
enjoying studying 1 Samuel at the moment. It's stretching me as I think about preaching and encouraging my heart as I reflect on the wonder of the king Yahweh has given us - his own
two of our one day training events coming up soon - one long running and the other a new venture for 2014. These one day events are designed to equip those who preach and teach from time to
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #10
will avoid preachers’ licence Let me tell you a story. I was walking down the street the other day…. Only it’s not your story, it’s someone else’s. Or, what about
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Biblical counselling... for leaders
Changing Hearts conference is in its second year and is great for church members, workers, leaders, speakers and so on to learn about biblical counselling and how it ought to work in a
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #9
will be faithful to what the passage actually says It’s just too tempting, isn’t it to add in your little bugbear. You can crow bar it in. No one will notice. In fact, they rather like
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Marriage and ministry. Really?
be perfectly frank, it doesn't always seem that marriage and ministry are easy bedfellows. Marriage is hard enough anyway, without the extra pressure that ministry can bring to bear. And for
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #8
will pray my sermon for myself You liar! You say to your congregation “Of course, I have preached this to myself first.” It rolls off the tongue. But it is untrue. You have spent the
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #7
will not work on my sermon on Saturday night It’s been a busy week. And there’s always something more I can work on. So Saturday night comes around, that most precious of times, and I
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #6
will study the passage before opening a commentary I am currently studying 1 Samuel and I have some wonderful commentaries. This book is particularly richly served with the NICOT volume (Tsumura)
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #5
will let someone trusted give me some feedback How is your preaching, Mr Preacher? I don’t just mean content. I mean also style. How does it go down with people in the congregation? I mean,
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #4
will pray after my preaching How do you feel after your preaching? Job done? Relieved? Tired? All of the above? Me too. So you spend an hour chatting and saying goodbye. You trek home
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Short term job opportunity
our famous office administrator and my PA, is off to have a baby. Her voice will no longer greet you when you ring PT Towers. In the meantime, we need someone to cover her maternity leave,
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #3
will pray over my sermon We are paid, as someone once put it, to preach and to pray. Read Acts 6 again, Mr Preacher. We are set aside for the ministry of the word and for prayer and it will not
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #2
will have been studying a passage before the week before the sermon Pity the preacher who wakes up on Monday morning and this is the first time he’s ever looked at the text. I can’t
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The preacher's new year's resolutions #1
as it is new year, here is a short series on some appropriate new year’s resolutions for preachers. All can only be done, of course, in the grace of God. But, that said, may he grant you
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Happy Christmas
closing down the blog for Christmas, and - may I suggest - you should be closing down your blog reading too. Take a break, get a rest, see the family and be refreshed ready for the new
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Those we have lost
BBC TV sports personality of the year awards interest me less and less. Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, but what used to be a celebration of sport now seems more like a worship session
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Mind the gap
enjoyed watching the youtube clip of a very young Joan Bakewell interviewing Lloyd-Jones, his only - I believe - television interview (see below). There was much about it that cheered the heart. He
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Athanasius on singing the psalms
why do we sing the psalms to music? Athanasius says the reason is not just aesthetic, to please the ear. No, for “Holy Scripture is not designed to tickle the aesthetic palate” (!).
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Athanasius on the unique place of the psalms
some church history to gladden your Monday morning. It's from Athanasius' letter to Marcellinus. Marcellinus has been ill, and using his illness “to study the whole body of
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Saul's evil spirit
ink is spilt over the evil spirit from the Lord that comes on Saul in 1 Sam 16.14. I came across this little paragraph in David Firth's excellent Apollos commentary and thought it worth
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A grudging admirer of liturgy
not a fan - in general - of liturgy. That comes from a convicted ecclesiology. However, neither am I one of those stick-your-head-in-the-sand kind of non conformists and I dip into the prayer
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New hymn misses the mark. Sadly.
hymns need updating, musically at least. And I am always cheered when groups who otherwise concentrate on modern songs try their best to revive a modern hymn. So I was mostly cheered the other
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Interfaith. Nonsense. But believed nonsense.
watching the Mandela thanksgiving service in South Africa. Right at the start, there are prayers (contributions, really) from Rabbi, Hindu leader, Imam and Anglican Archbishop. Each is praying
don't normally reference other blog posts - I take it you have better things to do than read the same thing over and over. But one particular post caught my eye this week because I've been
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Living Out
biblically faithful resources come along to help Christians who are struggling with same sex attraction, I'm happy to commend them. More than happy. The current media's trend to
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Job Opportunity at PT - please pass it on
a happy family here at PT, I tell my staff that it's a great place to work and - generally - they seem to agree. However, our famous singer Crystal (last seen on X factor last weekend)
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Asleep in Jesus
to the end of my first draft for a short book on sleep, and so it's time to write the conclusion. I've been doing that this morning and saving up this Victorian gem. A bit sentimental
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Worship God conference
interesting to see that Bob Kauflin is over next March for the first Sovereign Grace worship conference. (Please no emails. You know what I mean by worship.) It's the same time as our
look to Thee to give us the fellowship of that Spirit who guided the prophets and apostles, that we may take their words in the sense in which they spoke and assign its right shade of
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Rejoicing in a birthday
don't normally post on a Saturday, but today is our dear friend and colleague Christopher Ash's birthday. I'm not sure he will thank for me saying it, but it is a significant one.
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A kids resource to get excited about
not often I whoop and holler at a kid's resource, but What's in the Bible with Buck Denver is brilliant. It's produced by the team behind Veggie Tales, but the leader, Phil
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You lift me up (when you lost weight anyway)
second book reading week book was You lift me up by Al Martin. This is a relatively short and concise book (happened) from retired pastor Albert Martin. It's in the mould of Dangerous
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True friendship: the challenge for a pastor
started my reading week with a book "you can read in an hour": True Friendship by Vaughan Roberts. I don't think that's actually true, by the way. If you are going to read this
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Augustine at the EMA
not Augustine himself obviously. But Garry Williams speaking about Augustine, for many the stand out highlight of this year's EMA. It's good to have this quality of academic in the UK
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Autumn Joint Ministers audio
the audio is up from our latest autumn ministers conference. I particularly recommend Wallace's second session on maintaining momentum and Vaughan's opening and closing expositions on
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A book for your heart and your shelf
guess our part of the evangelical world is divided in many ways, but one at least is along the fault-line of definite atonement (limited atonement to you and me, but this is an altogether better
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Creating false tensions
of the things I hear younger Christian ministers do is to think carefully about setting priorities. That can be a really good thing (and I've met other ministers who need to do this more).
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What are you paid to do?
had an open session last week at our minister's conference talking about prayer - the practicalities of prayer meetings and personal prayer. There was one very helpful comment arising out Acts
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What a bore
of my favourite moments from last week's autumn minister's conference with Wallace Benn: 'What a bore to be a liberal! What a trial to have to come up with something each week to
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London Week
of more unusual and lesser known conferences we run is the PT Cornhill London Week. This unique conference is designed to give those thinking about Christian ministry a taster of real life
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Christ on Campus
good folks at Christ on Campus have produced a very attractive booklet version of Christopher's essay Christianity and Sexuality. You can read the whole thing online here. Everyone going to
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Maintaining momentum
this autumn minister's conference we've planned two sessions with Wallace Benn on maintaining momentum in our personal walk with Christ and in ministry. The first session was gold dust -
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Preaching the psalms
basic but enormously helpful tips for preaching the psalms from David Gibb from our autumn ministers conference: 1. Remember their historical setting Discern the original setting where
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Tough times
Benn: What does a church do when it faces difficulties? 2000: Arrange a committee 1900: Call a day of prayer. Enough
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Speed affects what you see
won't come as any surprise to be reminded that there are different speeds you can preach through a book. I'm nervous about saying there are any right or wrong approaches, though I do feel
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Introducing the psalms
are my notes from David Gibb's introduction to the psalms at our autumn ministers conference. By the way, he mentioned John Woodhouse's excellent sessions on the psalms from 2000. They
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Lambs and wolves and autumn ministers
10.1-24 introductory session with Vaughan at our Autumn Ministers Conference. "I am sending you out like lambs amongst wolves." Vaughan: "Some of you will feel like lambs amongst
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The leader and words
preached on Ecclesiastes 7 last night - a hard passage to prepare. One thing particularly struck me in my preparation. Wise and godly Christians react well to words: "It is better to
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A little book that's good for your heart
just finished reading Piper's new book published by Christians Focus. It's called Five Points and is a little primer on... the five points of Calvinism. In one sense, this
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Reading for ALL your congregation
I'm going to review a kids book. Before you click away, just think about this. You're pastor of a congregation that's made up of adults AND children (I guess). You need to be
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Unread emails and self-discipline
week away and I have 200 unread emails (not counting the trash) to sort through. That's pretty dispiriting, I have to be honest. Email is far too easy a tool. It's immensely useful (of
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Gunpowder, treason and plot
today's the day. 5th November. Guy Fawkes and all that. Not quite celebrated in the way it once was and perhaps - in some ways - that's a good thing. But it's also a shame. I spent
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The depths of the riches
managed to get a few days away this last week (school half term here in the UK) and this meant catching up on some reading. Notably, it was time for my once-a-year outing for Great Expectations. I
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The New Testament use of the Old (5)
Example It’s an undeniable fact that the NT uses the Old to reinforce moral teaching. It does this through using case law and example. We are, to be frank, a bit embarrassed about this. We
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The New Testament use of the Old (4)
Prophetic fulfilment One of the more obvious ways the NT uses the Old is in terms of prophetic fulfilment. This is essentially the same point as yesterday. There we saw how stories can have a
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The New Testament use of the Old (3)
Prophetic illustration Some OT illustrations are more than illustrations for a particular point. We saw yesterday how stories from the life of Elijah and Elisha are used by Jesus to illustrate a
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The New Testament use of the Old (2)
Illustrative example Sometimes the New Testament uses the Old Testament as an illustrative source book. This is often prefaced with the words “just as…” The Old Testament story
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The New Testament use of the Old (1)
of the most important grids for any preacher tackling an Old Testament text is to ask if and then how it is used in the New Testament. The whole Bible is inspired and so it is always going to be
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A biblical view of sleep part 2
I had a nap and here is my finished outline. Remember this is not an expository sermon. It's part of a church series where, once a month, we think about a particular issue from a biblical
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A biblical view of sleep
Christians were raised on a diet of good expository ministry Sunday by Sunday augmented by classic "Bible studies" (essentially taught studies) midweek. Many US churches
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Changing the ending
enjoyed reading the review of Saving Mr Banks in the paper this morning. It's the story of Walt Disney and PL Travers (authoress) and the fight to make Mary Poppins. The Hollywood film finishes
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It's in the text
amazing how often we, as preachers, don't look in the text. In our preaching groups at Cornhill, the students have been preaching through James. That's not an easy book to
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Thinking ahead to next year...?
a good time in church life to be thinking ahead to next year. Maybe there's someone in your church you should be thinking about encouraging towards ministry? Maybe it's something
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Sermons crafted to the nth degree
have been some articles circulating round the internet recently about the time it takes to prepare a sermon. Some well-known preachers have opened the door into their study a little and allowed
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The Proclamation Trust and the local church
was interviewed the other day by John Stevens about PT and the local church. Not prepared, so here are my off-the-cuff answers. It's filmed in a pastor's study, with me sitting on a sofa
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Topical preaching....?
am just getting into Jason Meyer's Preaching: a biblical theology. Stimulating stuff. As is my want, I skipped forward, because I was interested to read what case he made for expository
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Sandra's nose and contentment in ministry
Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock was on London's Red Carpet last week for the premiere of Captain Phillips. And the question foremost in my mind was, what has she done to her nose?. I find
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A preaching Bible?
of the most helpful things I ever heard Mark Driscoll say (!) was that - as a preacher - you needed to have a Bible that you were comfortable holding. I've not always found that an easy thing
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What do you make of Solomon?
comment on the life of King Solomon and the question people ask: In a sense Solomon sums up in himself the range of all subsequent kings. This is not only because he is most directly
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Preaching crosses the divide
of the things that never ceases to surprise me is how preaching crosses evangelical divides which sometimes seem otherwise uncrossable. We never set out to make PT a place of evangelical
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Know any perfect books?
finished reviewing Cross Roads (William Young's follow up to The Shack) for Evangelicals Now. You'll have to wait for the review, but what has got me thinking about the book is that
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Last minute Dublin opportunity
you're within reach of Dublin, it's almost your last chance to book onto our PT Cornhill teaching day this coming Saturday. I'm looking forward to coming over to Ireland to help Bible
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Monday morning check up
for Monday? Here's an excerpt from Jonathan Griffith's PT book, The Ministry Medical which takes Paul's Apostolic example and injunctions from 2 Timothy and relates them to
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Willcox House sermons
heard some extraordinary news this week. Our 1960s office building was an early Norman Foster creation. Frankly, I found that hard to believe unless, as one wag pointed out, he'd done the
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Carefully worded preachers
read these wonderful words in my devotions this morning, describing how Solomon has put together the book of Ecclesiastes: Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the
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Engaging with.... a book
in a highly privileged position to get to see what people are actually buying when it comes to books, not just what is being sold. And my observation (not empirical) from both this and time
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For what it's worth
you ever have those conversations when another pastor says something and you suddenly think - wow, there's a lot of wisdom in that. Here are two nuggets I picked up this week. Nothing
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PRAYER and the ministry of the word
Monday I wrote a blog about godliness. We are headlining this at the start of the Cornhill year. I said then that we are headlining one other emphasis. So here it is: prayer, intercessory prayer
do you make sure your own soul is fed, Mr Preacher? How many ministries and churches suffer because the pastor-teacher does not take care of his own soul? It's an easy trap to fall into.
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Don't forget the autumn ministers
looking forward to welcoming some of you to the autumn ministers conference. It runs from 11-14 November (Mon through Thurs) at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire and we're looking forward
all know that prayer is a key component of the preachers' life - reflecting his personal walk with Christ and also the ministry that God has given him. So praying over a passage or sermon as
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Setting boundaries on your time
just off the back of a stupidly busy eight days. All, pretty much, self inflicted. It wasn't helped by a broken down train on Saturday night meaning it took me 6 hours to get home from
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Godliness
have just begun my 10th year at PT Cornhill. This year we are intentionally and emphatically headlining two emphases, right at the start of the course. The first is godliness. In the first main
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The context of words
always have contexts. It's absurd to strip out words from their contexts and try to make them stand on their own. I was reminded of this as I read some BBC articles about the crackdown on
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Bible centred youthwork
the making of many books on youthwork there is much. And of the organising of conferences on youthwork there is much. And, to be frank, not all as helpful as it might be. Incredibly, one of the
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How to choose a training course
a short video I did for the FIEC. I tried to be objective as possible - there are LOTS of good training opportunities in the UK. Praise God for that. I am biased in particularly
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The theology of preaching
a theological conference last week I asked a very knowledgeable theologian and church minister what book he would recommend on the theology of preaching. He wasn’t exactly brimming
on tour...! Our autumn series of training days around the country kicks off this Saturday (21st September) at Otley in Yorkshire (still time to book here), Dublin on 12th October and
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A labor of love
friends at Reformation Heritage Books have sent us a truly wonderful book - A labor of love by J Stephen Yuille. It basically takes sixteen prayers of the puritan minister George Swinnock and
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The preacher's besetting sins (part 4)
Pity Self pity is one of the most ugly of sins, yet least called out. It is closely related to pride and vanity of course, but has at its root a lack of contentment in Christ. It also has
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The preacher's besetting sins (part 3)
preacher's unteachable spirit The preacher spends more time in the word than anyone else in the congregation. Possibly. Hopefully. How remarkable it is, therefore, that he can develop an
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The preacher's besetting sins (part 2)
is part 2 in a short series this week on the preacher's besetting sins - written out of some painful self-examination this summer! I hope it's useful. The preacher's cold
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Birthday in the PT office
won't thank me for making it known, but today's is Dick Lucas' eighty-eighth birthday. In God's goodness, he's still sharp and on top of things. The Scriptures tell us to
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The preacher's besetting sins (part 1)
preached my first sermon in 1988 at Woodhouse Eaves Evangelical Baptist Church, in a small village just outside Loughborough. Habakkuk, if you're interested. Since then, amazingly almost 25
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NIV Proclamation Bible
Gatiss (Editor) and Hodder & Stoughton have put together a terrific new edition of the NIV called The Proclamation Bible. It's not by us, but it's inspired by the work we've been
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What to look for in a training course
week I've been doing some recording with the FIEC for some video shorts. My own slot was on "what to look for in a training course" and here's my text. I happen to think that
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EMA evangelistic event
an idea. Next year is Passion for Life and though lots of churches will be organising events at Easter, there will be some momentum. So we wondered if we can't make use of the Barbican
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How to host a visiting speaker #2
the visitor properly at the meeting Because you have invited the visiting speaker, you probably know them, or at least know about them. This may be true for some others. But we ought
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How to host a visiting speaker #1
time ago I put together a few pointers for those who host visiting speakers. This is hardly the last word on the matter, but I thought it may be worth a couple of posts. You will see it rather
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Just a thought...
wonder if churches should celebrate significant birthdays of congregation members less and notable marriage anniversaries more? I know there is the risk of offending the singles, but think about
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Summer reading review #4
a roundup of what else graced my kindle this summer: Perilous question: the drama of the Great Reform Bill by Antonia Fraser Superb. A remarkable study into something I learn for O-level
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Summer reading review #3
the mountains echoed is Khaled Hosseini's third novel - each of which is focused somehow on his native Afghanistan. The previous two (Kite Runner and A thousand splendid suns) are both moving
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Summer reading review #2
after life by Kate Atkinson was another of my holiday reads, picked (like many are) by recommendations in the Saturday paper literary supplements. I realise, as I about to explain it, it's
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Summer reading review #1
here I explained some of my summer reading habits and have already reviewed Katherine Boo's book which was on my summer list. I find it a good discipline to think about the books I read in a
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Bank holiday
non UK readers of the blog, today is a bank (statutory) holiday in the UK, so there is no regular post. See you
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Latest Themelios
have always liked reading Themelios, both for its stretching articles and varied book reviews. Granted, without Carl Trueman's inputs it is not quite so funny as it once was, but perhaps that
back from holiday allows me to catch up on missed issues of the Church Times. I know, life's a hoot, ain't it? I flick through it every now and again just to see what is happening in
back from a couple of weeks away in the Peak District and a good mid-break visit to a local church in Buxton. It was holiday time, staff and vicar were away. But it was really quite good. It got
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Back to school
as you read this, I shall be back in the office following a two week break in Derbyshire. Either the sun will have shone, I will have enjoyed cycling round the peaks with my middle
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Credo magazine
always enjoy the Credo magazine. It does come from my baptistic stable, I must admit. Nevertheless, that is not a badge it wears particularly strongly and, therefore, whatever your ecclesiological
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2013/4 Resource Guide
should by now have received your 2013/14 resource guide if you are on our UK mailing list. Please note that we don't send them overseas any more as the cost is astronomical (e,g £4.24
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Sermon illustrations part 4
do you get your sermon illustrations from? I wonder if there's a better way than either Mr A or Mr R. In reality, it's a strategy we both use. Here it is in essence: many
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Sermon illustrations part 3
do you get your sermon illustrations from? If Christopher's approach is careful, then mine can only be described as anarchic. I am blessed (cursed?) with a mind which is only able to
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Sermon illustrations part 2
do you get your sermon illustrations from? Christopher Ash and I are fundamentally different when it comes to storing and accessing sermon illustrations. I thought it would be useful,
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Sermon illustrations part 1
do you get your sermon illustrations from? That's a common question experienced preachers are asked by inexperienced ones. So, I thought it may be useful to give a few answers. First
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Donkey preaching
was a joy to include Lloyd-Jones' story on being wedded to three points in my Numbers book. Here's my footnote, with some added analysis... This text (Numbers 22:21) gives rise to one
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Introducing The Proclamation Bible
Proclamation Bible is an exciting new initiative from Hodder, publishers of the NIV in the UK. It is not from us (as the youtube clip seems to infer) but we are pleased to say it is both inspired
the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo is the first novel from the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. I say novel, but it is based largely on interviews and her experiences from life in a
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Who's in control?
preaching through Ecclesiastes in the autumn, and this quote from Iain Provan in the NIV Application Commentary is helpful. He is describing how many commentators struggle to understand the
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Autumn Ministers
love to welcome you to the autumn ministers conference held at Hothorpe Hall from 11-14 November 2013. The autumn stretch, as you will know, is a long old one and by the middle of November, a
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The importance of praying the psalms part 5
today, the last in a five post series on the importance of praying the psalms as Christian literature. Today, a worked example from Psalm 63. In Psalm 63 we read of David’s deep
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The importance of praying the psalms part 4
today, we’ve a five post series on the importance of praying the psalms as Christian literature. To avoid the ‘skim and pick’ strategy, we need a better approach. I
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The importance of praying the psalms part 3
today, we’ve a five post series on the importance of praying the psalms as Christian literature. The psalms are difficult, so the default evangelical position seems to be skim and
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The importance of praying the psalms part 2
today, we’ve a five post series on the importance of praying the psalms as Christian literature. We need to be honest that the psalms are not straightforward to understand. I take
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The importance of praying the psalms part 1
today, we’ve a five post series on the importance of praying the psalms as Christian literature. In May 1943, from his prison cell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “I read the Psalms
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Puritan preaching: not the model?
have just read Peter Adam's perceptive, scholarly, and pastorally sensitive Latimer Trust booklet "Gospel Trials in 1662: To Stay or To Go?". It is a really helpful piece of church
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Revised EMA trailer
liberally! EMA 2014 from The Proclamation Trust on
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Is the Bible sufficient?
a rather pejorative question! Of course, we believe it is. But if the question is phrased slightly differently, we may find some diverging opinions. Is the Bible self-sufficient for its
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EMA 2014: important announcement
have had to change next year's EMA dates from those previously advertised. It's been a bit of a saga, but essentially, the dates we were promised and agreed with the Barbican have been
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Life on the edge and self-neglect
been reflecting recently how much of pastoral life is lived on the edge. There is the routine of ministry, especially for those of us who are preachers, the regular study, prayer and
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Your wife is beautiful
really. One of the 'commands' of Scripture is to find delight in the 'wife of your youth.' It's a strange phrase to unpack. But whatever else this means (how many wives
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Summer reading
hardly seems possible to pick up a newspaper or magazine at this time of year without being confronted with a list of essential summer reading. And if you can't beat them, why not join them?
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Seminar files from the EMA
audio of seminars from the 2013 EMA is now available to download for free here. Please note that this does not include the marriage and ministry stream by Mrs R and I. Due to the nature of the
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Marriage, ministry and priorities
quote from a (male) speaker at last week's wives' conference. "I have always believed and said publicly that - if it came to it - I would willingly give up my ministry for the sake
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Who knows.....?
finally finished reading Michael Wood's excellent "The story of England" - the story of the country told through the story of one village, Kibworth (very near to Market
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Reflections from the EMA Bookstore
week we are beginning our review of the EMA Bookstore with tenofthose.com. These are all anecdotal observations; nevertheless, there is some truth here that is worth reflecting
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Preachers, don't forget to pastor your wives
R and I are away at the Summer Wives Conference - almost 100 of us, Anglican and Free Church. Great weather. Good food. Superb accommodation. A good teaching programme, I hope, but also a chance
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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
EMA past we tried something new. We wanted to acknowledge before God the great generosity he has shown us and the rich seam of resources he has provided for us. So, as you may know, we had an
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On harmonization. Or not.
of people have tried to write harmonies of the gospels (all the gospels in one account) with varying degrees of success. Not least Calvin. They can be useful, for example, when trying to piece
following on from yesterday's post, here is a very helpful interview with Rosaria Butterfield. It's particularly useful for pastors wanting to think through how their church can be
afternoon seminar option on same sex attraction was carefully planned and very well received. We'll have the audio up soon. Meanwhile here is some follow up material from Ed : Want a good
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It's the big idea, stupid
from the busyness of the EMA to real work - sermon preparation. This Sunday I'm preaching on Romans 11 (gulp!). I've been wrestling with it for a few weeks, not wanting to come to it for
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Charlie Fadipe on this year's EMA
is an FIEC pastor in Wiltshire. This is an encouraging
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Philip Jensen at EMA 86
buzzing from last week's great EMA. I've been going over my notes from Vaughan's expositions of 1 Peter. Apart from the fact that I drew parallels between Vaughan's management
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Facts and figures
more detailed analysis of EMA to follow but - to be perfectly honest - this week's posts have been written prior to the EMA as we anticipated having NO time this week to keep the blog up to
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Biblical Archaeology
about the British Museum and DayOne's excellent book (as you do), I remembered this article by Walter Kaiser on top 15 biblical archaeological finds. Go to p22 of the online magazine.
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Already anticipating 2014....
the veil: EMA 2014 from The Proclamation Trust on
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What the miracles don't prove...
noticed that preachers often follow a miracle passage by saying, “…and this shows that Jesus is God”. My problem is this: I may be perverse, but it seems to me that it
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What is marriage?
the title of a book I’m reading at the moment, written by three American academics (Girgis, Anderson and George, pub. by Encounter Books, subtitle: Man and Woman: A Defense).
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Please pray for the EMA today (Friday)
can we ask you this week to pray for the EMA? You may well not be coming, but even so, we still covet your prayers. Each day this week we will post a particular topic to pray for. Today
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Please pray for the EMA today (Thursday)
can we ask you this week to pray for the EMA? You may well not be coming, but even so, we still covet your prayers. Each day this week we will post a particular topic to pray for. Today
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Please pray for the EMA today (Wednesday)
can we ask you this week to pray for the EMA? You may well not be coming, but even so, we still covet your prayers. Each day this week we will post a particular topic to pray for. Today
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Please pray for the EMA today (Tuesday)
can we ask you this week to pray for the EMA? You may well not be coming, but even so, we still covet your prayers. Each day this week we will post a particular topic to pray for. Today
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Please pray for the EMA today (Monday)
can we ask you this week to pray for the EMA? You may well not be coming, but even so, we still covet your prayers. Each day this week we will post a particular topic to pray for. Today
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PT's convictions: 3 of 3
work of the Proclamation Trust is based on three foundational convictions: our belief about the Bible, about Bible ministry and about Bible ministers. We have tried to capture this in three short
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PT's convictions: 2 of 3
work of the Proclamation Trust is based on three foundational convictions: our belief about the Bible, about Bible ministry and about Bible ministers. We have tried to capture this in three short
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PT's convictions: 1 of 3
work of the Proclamation Trust is based on three foundational convictions: our belief about the Bible, about Bible ministry and about Bible ministers. We have tried to capture this in three short
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Introducing the EMA Bookstore
of the things we've done for this year's EMA is to make the Bookstore more focused. And that doesn't just mean heavyweight books for ministers. Ministers need to browse books with
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EMA 2013 Missions Project
of the things I've been longing to do has finally arrived. We've built into this year's EMA a specific overseas mission project. This is a recognition that God has given us so much
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BBC program on Tyndale
here's a thing. A primetime BBC documentary on Tyndale presented by Melvyn Bragg. On TV last night and actually very good. Well worth an hour of your time. Tyndale is, according to Bragg,
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A word to young pastors....
are certain pastoral issues that will hit you like a train. You'll get a phone call and you will have to respond immediately. To be honest, for most pastoral emergencies
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A real break
started my holiday last week with really good intentions. I deleted my work email account from my phone - no chance of picking up work messages, I thought! But people send texts, Facebook messages,
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Two great books on God's providence
don't think we talk enough today about God's providence. So here are two books that are excellent on the subject - and, remarkably, one is not Christian. Christian book first. Surely
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Summer wives
just a very few places left on our Summer Wives' conference which runs from 8 July through to 11 July. The conference is for those whose husbands are in the first few years of ministry.
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What to think when a ministry is discredited
things happen in churches. Sin rears its ugly head at all levels, including - sadly - leadership. And we should be saddened and shocked, but not surprised that this is the case. At a time when
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How to encourage a friend
to and spending time with many ministers, there are some recurring messages. One of these is very simple, but can have a profound effect on ministries. Ministers are lonely. They feel
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The road to the Barbican
venue for this year's EMA, the Barbican conference centre, is easy to find. Honest. Just follow the directions on our website. If you've booked, these will be emailed to you shortly. It
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EMA featured books #6
have done us a huge favour by collecting together a new Packer anthology focused on the Bible. It will be one of featured books at the EMA. The volume contains a collection of essays,
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Just four weeks to go...
it's four weeks to go until the Evangelical Ministry Assembly. At this stage we're normally full - indeed if were still at our old venue, we would be closed for new applications about
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EMA ideas
a proposal through today for the EMA. I was sent a marketing email telling me that I could spruce up my event with DrumCafe who would put a drum on every seat. Give everyone a
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EMA featured books #5
publishes two series of books - one is the well-known Teaching series (more about that another time). But we also have a secondary series which we call, informally at least, the Practical Preacher
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Recharging emotional batteries
a few responses to my post last week about running on empty. Thank you to those who wrote. The responses all tended to ask the same question: how, recognising that we're depleted emotionally,
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You're speaking not writing
an article in this month’s Briefing that I liked so much that we asked permission to print off a copy for every Cornhill student. It’s called ‘Deadly, dull, and
my most recent post I was recommending an approach to sermon applications from biblical narratives which avoids both simply drawing out moral examples and just preaching biblical-theological
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Preaching God and example
preachers in conservative evangelical circles say that they find narrative the hardest parts of Scripture to preach. I think that is particularly true of the way in which we draw
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A mindset not a method
preaching, says Dick Lucas, is a mindset not a method. That's a really helpful thought and one I've been coming back to again and again recently. Someone asked me last week at our
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EMA featured books #4
that move by Tim Hawkins is another book about preaching. But don't yawn. Not until you've had a look. For sure, of the making of books about preaching, there is much. But Tim's
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EMA featured books #3
God who became human by Graham Cole is the latest in IVP's New Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT). This series has some really outstanding contributions in it now, and it's always a
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Don't believe everything you read...
salutary warning about our words can be misquoted - in a positive article in Monday's Times about US evangelicals, Tim Keller was quoted as saying it was possible to believe that homosexuality
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Waiting on God to refresh our strength
on from yesterday's post, I've found this little quote from Richard Sibbes (taken from The love of Christ) to be a remarkable encouragement: If we find not our suits answered so
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Running on empty
are not machines. Had you noticed? We therefore need to take care of ourselves (and encourage others to take care of us). Reflecting on my own weak humanity this week I wonder whether we
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EMA featured books #3
out at the EMA for one of the best books of 2013: Serving without sinking by John Hindley. Quite simply, this book did me good. It is fresh, warm, honest and richly filled with grace,
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Church idols
weeks with Peter Adam on our spring ministers conferences and there are, not surprisingly, lots of golden nuggets along the way. Here's a taster, reviewing Revelation and challenging what we
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Bruce Ware love in
I may be allowed to gate-crash Adrian’s recent Bruce Ware love-in, I would strongly recommend his (that’s Bruce’s) Big Truths for Young Hearts (Crossway). I’m
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Full text or notes?
should I have in front of me when I preach? This issue came up a few times at the NWA seminars. There’s no right or wrong of course. But I think it’s important to
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Bank holiday
is one of those most curious of British things - a bank holiday. That means, for overseas readers, that everything is closed. Banks yes (although to be fair, they're closed lots of other
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Getting physical
are more often motivated by fear than by attraction. I probably wear the kinds of clothes I do more because I don’t want to regarded as the kind of person who wears either smarter or
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Applying the truth
issues here: when in the sermon to apply, and how to do it. First, the when. Here is a gut-reaction I have when I’m listening to sermons: I am much more often
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Light through the windows
about six, at one of his first class assemblies, my son was standing in a line of kids who each had to tell the watching parents what they wanted to be when the grow up. There was the
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A tune up for preachers
couple of weeks back I was at week 2 of New Word Alive along with three or four thousand others. It was thirteen years since I last went to (old) Word Alive, and it was a delight to be back.
just spent a wonderful hour with a dear Australian brother who has given his lifetime to preaching the gospel and teaching others to do so (no name dropping here!). He made an observation,
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One face missing from the EMA: Ravaka Rajo
were looking forward to welcoming Madagascan pastor Ravaka to this year's EMA. Sadly, we heard today that Ravaka was called home by our Sovereign Lord following a motor accident. Ravaka, a
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Getting wet and the Cycling Confucius
been some time since Cylcing Confucius spoke. he's back today by popular request. If you cycle in the rain you will get wet. It may not look it, but this photo is me on my bike.
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Christian periodicals
Christian newspapers, it's a really good habit for a pastor-teacher to read Christian periodicals. There are a number of reasons: by definition, such things tend to stretch us.
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Christian news
pretty sure that reading a Christian newspaper is high up the priority list for Christians. For sure, in the world, newspaper readership is down, but I think that's a shame. In the
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Accommodation at the EMA
want to make the EMA as accessible as possible and perhaps you're thinking that you might come but have no one to stop with in London and find that paid accommodation options are just too
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May no new thing arise
love reading - and not just Christian books, but newspapers, novels (old and new), biographies, history books. I'm a bit of a bookworm. However, I must confess, that one series of books I read
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International at EMA
two exciting announcements regarding the EMA. First up, this year we're supporting an international project. With help from some of our book publishing friends, we're going
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Preaching and hyperbole
is oratorical. Whilst we might be wary of being overly styled in our delivery, there's no doubt that most of us probably preach differently from how we speak. Not least this is
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The Philip Project
spent a very happy Saturday last week teaching on the Philip Project, a ministry of Friends International. It's a one Saturday a month course designed specifically for International students,
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Your own funeral preaching
to the Bishop of London preaching at Margaret Thatcher's funeral. Readings before from Eph 6 and John 14. But the sermon? It's an exposition of Margaret and her words - very, very
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Chewing the cud
you may have seen from last week's blog posts, I was very moved by Bruce Ware's sessions at New Word Alive on the humanity of Christ. They got me thinking things over in terms of my own
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EMA featured books #2
have just published Bruce Ware's new book on the humanity of Christ, titled "The Man Christ Jesus: Theological reflections on the humanity of Christ." This is not a long book
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The humanity of Christ and sloppy teaching
Word Alive felt a bit like a working holiday, but it was stirring nonetheless and one of the highlights for me was Bruce Ware on the humanity of Christ. He was largely going through material from
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Choosing songs for the EMA
taken a whole day to shortlist things we're going to sing at this year's EMA. You wouldn't believe the angst this causes. For the record, I'm driven by content (always first)
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EMA featured books #1
the next few weeks I want to do some mini reviews and highlight some of the featured books at this year's EMA. You can buy the book before the EMA of course, but if you're coming along,
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EMA Bookstore
of the most exciting things about our new venue for the EMA is that we have more space for the EMA Bookstore; partnering this year with tenofthose.com. Previously we've been off site in a
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Engaging the written word of God
the written word of God by JI Packer How wise is it to write a book review before you've finished the book? Not particularly. Especially when you know that you have at least one
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How things change
reading Paternoster's new collection of essays, articles and interviews by Jim Packer (more of this later in the week). But one very perceptive comment on the state of preaching and the
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Take a break
taking an official break next week (1-5 April). Christopher and I are both speaking at New Word Alive, so you may get some live blogging, but there's nothing prepared! It's good to
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A theology of preaching (3)
what is preaching? Explaining the text Applying the Bible Proclaiming Christ Rebuking, correcting and encouraging? Logic on fire All true and more besides. But
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A theology of preaching (2)
are some statements. The preaching of the word of God is the word of God Heinrich Bullinger, that one. What we call the Second Helvetic Confession, but he called his Last Will and
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A theology of preaching
your theology of preaching? You're a preacher, right - so you must have a theology of preaching. Or else, why are you doing what you're doing? I don't think this is such a
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Mind the preaching gap
my thesis - we (preachers) and our people probably have too low a view of preaching. Here's George Eliot from her essay on evangelical preaching: Given, a man with moderate
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Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow
are some preachers who love to working through Bible books in their preaching at a very slow rate. This is the only way, so the argument goes, that preachers will be able to pick up
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Sorry seems to be the hardest word
are times when preachers need to say sorry. Sometimes, that's because they've simply got things wrong. We work hard at texts, doing our best to rightly divide the word of truth.
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A dozen of the white
the Global ESV Study Bible. Not a Crossway plan to dominate the world (what is it with the word 'global'?). Rather a really, really good resource for your overseas partners. This is an
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An insight into the PT office
is today's office view pic to make you feel like you're here in the building with us. Anger? Frustration? No, simply me walking around my office without my glasses on.
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Bonkers.
was kindly sent an excerpt from Chuck Missler's book on Hidden Treasures in the Bible (you can read the excerpt here). The basic premise is that if you do a bit of mathematical jiggery pokery,
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Spring Ministers Conference
two Spring ministers conferences are just around the corner. We've invited Peter Adam over from Australia to help us with both of them and we're greatly looking forward to his insightful
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Bible based vs biblical
we tend to describe our preaching and church ministry as 'Bible-based.' That sounds worthy and noble. What more could you want when looking for a church or hope for when leading one?
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Ash on Romans
are many, many good commentaries on Romans. I'm studying the book at the moment, and for commentary use I'm using Murray (now replaced by Moo in the NICOT) and Tom Schreiner's
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Revenge
story of Chris Huhne and Vicky Price is a sad one indeed. Both will now spend at least four months in prison (half the term) for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. It's a tale with
been thinking recently about Romans. That's mainly because we're preaching through it at church and I've been given some real plums (Romans 3.21-28 and Romans 5.1-11). What a joy
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C***c R****f Humbug
Comic Relief Police are out in force this week. "Want to buy a pen for £1 for Comic Relief?" (Rymans, where PT staff enjoy their lunchtimes). No? You miserable so and so. Well,
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PT iOS app
forget if you're on iOS (iPad, iPhone or new generation iPod) you can download the PT app for free. This will give you easy access to the audio material from our website and the blog.
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Ask your wife
interesting being on a wives' conference. Here are 100 women, all married for some time, all in ministry some time. What do you think would be the overwhelming answer if I asked them for
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Ministers and pornography
a church minister. You regularly preach to your congregation about sexual purity, after al it comes up again and again in the Bible, especially in the NT epistles. You're a modern
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Wives, wives and more wives
at the moment on our spring wives' conference: one of our favourite conferences. There's me and Jonathan Carswell (so, 1½ men then). Oh, and 100 wives. It's a joyous occasion
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Facebook and all that
down last night and watched a Channel 4 drama on a few weeks ago in a series by Charlie Brooker called Black Mirror: Be right back (available on 4oD here). The one off dramas are set in the near
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Yorkshire preachers training
coming north! We've arranged a Yorkshire preachers day with the Yorkshire School of Christian Ministry under the umbrella of the Yorskhire Gospel Partnership. The date is Saturday 23rd
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What do you need to preach Revelation?
a good day with Steve Wilmshurst and our Cornhill+ team looking into Revelation. Who has ever preached a series on Revelation? All of it, I mean, not just the letters (you've done that
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The most misused verses in the Bible
MOST MISUSED VERSES IN THE BIBLE By Eric J. Bargerhuff Bethany House. 169 pages. £7.99 ISBN 978 0 764 209 369 If you’ve ever wondered
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The preacher as juggler
just come back from a very useful and encouraging week in India. We took a Cornhill team along and got up to all kinds of bible teaching work. It's one step removed from real pastoral
time I visit India I am amazed and humbled at people's hunger for Gods word. It's really very tangible. I see it everywhere I look: some business people have given a week's
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Doctrine of ordinary means
so this may be a name I have made up myself, but the point is that God works out his purposes through very ordinary means. We've seen that clearly as we've been working through
in India at the moment and our Cornhill team has done some teaching in both Hindi and Nepali. It's not as easy as you might think (we're talking phrase by phrase translation, rather than
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Rethinking small groups
a great small groups fan. I think they are a necessary part of church if church is to do all we hope and expect of it (see, for example Hebrews 10.19-25). I think there are certain elements
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There's always another point of view
Allen has helpfully picked apart my post on sermon titles. For what it's worth, I think there is real wisdom in some of the points he makes. They're certainly worth reflecting on. It
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A good model
enjoyed reading John Steven's blog post on smacking the other day here. I link to it not so much because of the point he makes (though I do agree with him). Rather, I want to hold it up as
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Life Jim, but not as we know it
love working in the PT office. It's a happy, friendly, gospel place where people look out for one another and there is fun and laughter as we support one another in work and in the Christian
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Commentaries on Ezra
posting today from South Asia, considerably warmer than the UK. I'm here with a small team of students because it's our mission week when we send out teams to go and work with
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You've got to pick a pocket or two
youngest has been learning the musical Oliver as part of a school project. It's good stuff. She's learning and having fun. The music is catchy and clever - a step up from what goes as a
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Peter Jensen on marriage
all the furore over marriage here in the UK, here is an old episode of Q&A from Australia (the equivalent of Question Time) where Archbishop Peter Jensen contributes wisely, graciously and
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Robin Weekes
Weekes finishes his time on the teaching staff of PT Cornhill last Friday. At Easter 2010 Robin had to leave his church leadership role in Delhi at very short notice for health reasons. This
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Why I avoid publishing sermon titles
churches love to publish sermon titles. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with this practice. It can be a great way to give order and structure to a preaching series. But I have to admit
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Five things not to say this Sunday
of us and people in our churches will have been praying about Tuesday’s vote on so-called gay marriage in the House of Commons. The Government’s success in the vote, and the
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Teaching Romans
just involved at the moment in a preaching series on Romans at church. This Sunday I've got Romans 2.17-29 as a passage. It's not been easy preparing. Understanding the passage, this
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John Chapman's memorial service
a UK based memorial service for John Chapman (Chappo) coming up soon. It's St Helen's Bishopsgate on Friday 1 March at 3pm and is a good opportunity for those who have been
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The truth, but not the whole truth
a local church pastor, I was constantly asked why our church was not in Churches Together (which in our large village consisted of a middle-of-the-road Anglican church and a large Catholic
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A Cornhiller remembered
is the thanksgiving service for Phil Nicolls, a Cornhiller from 2007 to 2009. This young father and husband was taken home to glory by our Sovereign Lord just recently, after being diagnosed
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Well, I never saw that before
the great thing about reading the Bible, preaching the Bible, preparing sermon and Bible studies, the discovery of something you have read countless times over and over but which sinks in
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Book review: Capital
just finished reading Capital by John Lanchester. It's not a Christian book, but it's the kind of book you might read in a book group. And it was only 20p (that's right 20p) on
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Lost: to do list. And there's a reason.
week I lost my to-do list. I don't know where I put it, but it's gone. I feel strangely liberated - nothing to do! But then I also feel ever so slightly scared. What if I forget
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Hearing her voice?
posted about the short and carefully reasoned booklet by Sydney evangelical John Dickson, in which John argues that, within the context of a complementarian understanding of gender and
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Confidence in the ordinary
struck last weekend by Julian Hardyman's ministry at the FIEC Hub conference from Acts 20. There's lots I could say about it, but one thought - mentioned almost in passing - struck home
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Where are all the seniors workers?
workers are invaluable. They are also a very common concept. Churches that don't have paid youth workers generally have unpaid volunteers doing the same role. Churches that have no youth
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Woah, slow down Tiger!
have long espoused the practise of looking at the text carefully and working out what the teaching units are and using those as a basis for preaching. That is especially important when it comes to
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PT Cornhill
are now coming in for the PT Cornhill Training Course starting in September 2013. The course is unique in terms of its focus (on preaching and teaching) and intensity (four days over one
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Important announcement on EMA audio
decided that from now on ALL our online audio will be free. That means that the last few EMAs are all now available online for download at no cost. Spread the word! EMA 2012 Heart
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Marriage enrichment
few people have emailed to ask what exactly we taught on our marriage course and how we ran it, so here's the low down. We took two Saturday mornings and ran from 10.00am-2.00pm. The actual
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Bible translation
asked Doug Moo to say a little about Bible translation (and the updated NIV in particular) at our Autumn Ministers Conference. He made some helpful observations that are worth bearing in mind when
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Autumn Joint Ministers audio
if you missed the Autumn Joint Ministers! I did too (a family illness) and I've enjoyed catching up. We think it's one of the best conferences we've put on for some years and
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Sad day
article below (from Today's Times) is sad, distressing, alarming (etc.) but not, to be honest, surprising. It makes the importance of the task that we do (and you do in your churches) - the
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Marriage and covenant
off the back of delivering two Saturday morning seminars with Mrs R on marriage. I think this brief reflection on marriage from Piper, Carson and Keller is particularly helpful. I especially
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Please pray
ministry of the Proclamation Trust, of which this blog is a (very) small part is dependent on generous donors and the peculiar situation we find ourselves in with our building. Located, as many
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Pastoral preaching
don't have to be a pastor for very long to know that there are certain issues that arise time and time again. Pastoring into these situations is very difficult unless people have a
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John Dickson on women teaching
Dickson (whose work on history and evangelism we very much like here) has written a booklet explaining his views on women and teaching. It's available here. It needs a carefully measured
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Why the fault line isn't sex
article in last week's Independent is alarming if not surprising. I was pointed towards it by a friend who was similarly alarmed. It reflects a two pronged challenge to
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Lost commentaries
major series replace volumes in their commentaries for excellent reasons. Sometimes this is because the original volumes were not up to the same standard as the rest of the series. More
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Happy new year
of Truth have put all the Valley of Vision prayers online - a great resource here. It seems appropriate to start the new year with the preacher's prayer: My Master God, I am
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We wish you....
PT office will be closed over Christmas, so this is it for now. We should not be writing blog posts over that time...and you should not be reading them. Enjoy church time together. Enjoy family
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A Christmas prayer
I commend the English prayer book available on the Church Society website ? I'm far from being Mr Liturgy (possibly as far as it is possible to be) and yet I still love this helpful
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Away days
might seem a bit odd to be talking about away days the week before Christmas, but they're in my head. We've got a PT staff away day early in Jan and we're also planning an elders'
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Sending wives away - Ezra 10
getting to the end of prep for teaching Ezra at Cornhill and must deal with one of the most perplexing parts of the book - what is going on when the foreign wives (and their children) are
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A book I really like
now and again it's good to read books you really agree with. I don't think it's always a good idea, but it's good to be reminded that you're not a total goofhead and that
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Ministry and suffering (5): contentment
is the answer to suffering? How, as a minister of the gospel, do we endure the slings and arrows that come our way? How do we learn to live with tension, illness, family trouble, disgruntled
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Ministry and suffering (4)
the midst of current struggles, a colleague wrote us a very helpful and encouraging note. He too had been through some tough times and he took the time to write down (for his church) some of the
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Ministry and suffering (3): Question 26
friends and I often - rather mysteriously - say to one another (or text) - "Question 26" by which we mean Heidelberg: Question 26. What believest thou when thou sayest,
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Ministry and suffering (2): Ask for wisdom
now these are the hardest words for me in the whole Bible: Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
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Ministry and suffering (1): Self pity
week I'm putting up five posts on ministry and suffering. A wise elder once told me that "ministry is suffering." There's no particular direct Scriptural warrant for that, but
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Sex (and marriage)
dusting down some notes and doing some prep for a marriage seminar we're running in Jan. Looks like 2013 is going to be the year of marriage seminars as Mrs R and I are doing one at the EMA
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Preaching the true Israel
are some subjects I'm always nervous blogging about. I don't want to unnecessarily undermine people's faith and beliefs when they differ from me on secondary issues. But here's
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How to understand Greek words
has come to something when the letters pages of the Times carry discussions on the meaning of words. In response to an article from Tom Wright about the Women Bishops vote, a Classics professor
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Affinity journal on baptism
are not too many UK publications which are both robust and stimulating. This is one. The new edition of the Affinity's journal Foundations is out and it is focused on baptism. Some really
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A holy number series
homework with my Year 4 daughter. Ugh. It's really, really hard. And often poorly written. The questions are ambiguous etc etc. Still, enough griping. This week it was number series. What
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CCEF coming to London - Feb 2013
those who have benefitted from CCEF material (and those who haven't yet), you may be interested to know that a few of our friends have got together to invite Tim Lane and David Powlinson over
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John Chapman's memorial service
memorial service took place last weekend. It's online here and the order of service is available here. We've got one or two Chappo nuggets on the PT website - two talks from the
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Exaggerating to make a point
as we call it, hyperbole. It's a key Biblical idea - used, for example, by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 6.6). But preachers should use it carefully because if people
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Handel's Messiah
is coming around again. Had you noticed? That means that the choral societies are out in force with their Messiah's. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but I love Handel's
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IX Marks Journal
new IX marks online journal is available and this latest issue is about lay leaders. The focus is on lay elders (as you might expect). Nevertheless, there is useful wisdom here for lay leaders in
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Marriage and Ministry
2011 we started running 24 hour stopovers for married couples in ministry. This was born out of a belief that strong marriages are essential for those who are both married and in ministry and that
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Help to pray
having a tough old time at the moment. I won't bore you with the reasons. But have you noticed that during those tough times the discipline of personal prayer - especially praying for
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Susie in The Times
surprisingly, The Times took a very pro stance on the vote on women bishops in their edition last Monday. But, to their credit, they also gave Susie Leafe from Fowey an op-ed column. Here it
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This is priceless
still on
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Remembering John Chapman
at this time will wish to pay tribute to John Chapman, alias the unique and unforgettable ‘Chappo’. Allow me, as one such, to write very personally of a dear friend, a marvellously
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Great hymn, shame about the tune...
of the best all time hymns on meeting together and gathering around the word is without doubt Leonardt Clock's great hymn from 1590. Christopher Idle, writing about this hymn, identifies that
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Whose gospel is it anyway?
to an EA day tomorrow entitled 'What is the gospel?' Hope it will be good. One of most alarming things for me is that we redefine the gospel from something that God does for us in Christ
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Job opportunity at Evangelicals Now
friends at EN need a new Distribution Administrator. An exciting opportunity to join the team that makes en happen! We are looking for a Distribution Administrator to work at our office
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"Secondary" is so unhelpful...
back and forth between Paul Levy (always mischievous, often thoughtful) and John Stevens (never mischievous, often thoughtful) on baptism and church practice. I just want to step one pace
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An unpreached sermon part 2
it is true that Jeremiah 17 encourages us to be realistic about the heart (our hearers and our own), it is also true that it contains a glorious picture of the regenerate heart which allows us to
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An unpreached sermon part 1
circumstances dictate that you do all the prep and hard work but the sermon never sees the light of day. So it was for two messages that I was supposed to be preaching this week but which,
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Afterword on the covenants
on from my post on Monday, one of my Cornhill Scotland friends helpfully pointed out a different way of looking at Hebrews 8 and that it does not necessarily teach discontinuty: in
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Keeping my heart - in a journal
you keep a journal or a diary, I wonder? I try it from time to time but the plan often fizzles out for various reasons. However, recently, I've managed to be a lot more disciplined. Partly, I
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The continuity of the covenants
helpful lunchtime conversation recently with our resident Hebrews expert, Dr Jonathan Griffiths. I love PT lunchtimes: very eclectic! Anyway, this one was on the continuty of the covenants.
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Expository preaching
a good
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How enemies conspire against the gospel
Ezra 4.7-16 this morning - the letter that Rehum and Shimshai send against the Israelites. It struck me again how enemies of the gospel twist the truth to suit their own ends: Rehum and
had to prepare a talk and a sermon on Acts this last weekend. We're doing a little series called "reading the Bible for all its worth" where we help church members understand
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Glen Scrivener
boy Glen with his superb gospel
still time to book on for this Saturday's Preachers Day held here at London Bridge. Organised with the Inner London Gospel Partnership it's suitable for anybody within reach of
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Pod on Channel 4: Excellent
you see Pod from UCCF on Channel 4 forethought? Superb. It's not about what I prefer to believe or wish were true, but what I'm persuaded of is true. Sorry, I can't
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Delivering a sermon
teaching international students last week I sat through an interesting presentation on sermon delivery with some obvious but helpful wisdom. The presenter outlined four principles for sermon
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The preacher's Bible
once heard the Seattle pastor (whose name we don't seem to mention so much now) make a very helpful observation for pastors. Get yourself a good preaching Bible. I have often thought about
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NT Wright in the Times
couple of weeks ago there was a nonsense letter in the Times about Scripture, faith and reason being the pillars of the Anglican church, with the conclusion that we can only read the Bible in the
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Good listening on iTunesU
launched a very small extension programme for Cornhill this year, targeted at those who, for whatever reasons, choose or are unable to go on to further study, but want to continue to learn.
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When circumstances make us bonkers
had to stay at home briefly the other morning to meet someone so, for a change, I was around for Radio 4's Thought for the Day. It was Lucy Winkett and - not to put too fine a point in it - she
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Speculative application
you're studying a passage, inevitably you want to ask questions of the text to which there are not always answers. That's fine and good. And it's OK to think what the answers might
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Five things that have gone
are always behind the times. Here are five things no longer available, just in case you've forgotten. Many preachers do. Spangles.1984 Berni Inn. 1997. Russell
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Serving God's words
Adam has recently retired as principal of Ridley Melbourne having reached the milestone of his sixty-fifth birthday. IVP have published a Festschrift which is meant to accompany his two volumes
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Underestimating the enemy
did enjoy the Ryder Cup. Incredible golf and astounding drama all rolled into one. And, of course (sorry US readers) drubbing the home team. Well, scraping by at least. No one can deny the drama.
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Carrie on tour
been too long since Carrie Sandom, who runs our women's ministry stream, spoke at The Gospel Coalition women's conference. Here she
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Pray now, use later
a very exciting project. It's the latest in UCCF's gospel reading initiatives and, I think, the best so far. It's called Uncover and is Luke's gospel in a small pocket
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On the value of notes...
had a note last week that meant the world. Short, simple, straightforward. And it brought the warmest encouragement to my heart. I often try, as a pastor-teacher, to send such notes. We
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Should discrepancies worry us?
is going to sound crazy. But I started looking at Ezra 2 a few mornings ago, and didn't really get very at all because there was so much to think about. It got me, I have to say, quite a
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CS Lewis and church
I blogged yesterday, I did enjoy the background to Screwtape - particularly the part that the Inklings had in forming and reforming the idea. But what struck me most was CS Lewis' view of
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Only three years late...
a fascinating documentary (more tomorrow on this) about CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters and a "new" dramatised version starring Geoffrey Palmer and Andy Serkis. I enjoyed the
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The clarity of Scripture
exactly, is the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture? I think this is something that preachers need to know, and - to be honest - don't always get right. I've just been rereading Tim
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Loving the delicious detail of Ezra 1
been a little while, but I'm back in Ezra in my personal devotions, going very slowly (I read it recently fairly briskly). I love the detail. It's easy to miss the delicious detail
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The ministry of the word is an And
Benton has written a perceptive piece as his leader in this month's Evangelicals Now. You can read it online here. His point, in essence is, thank God for courses which are teaching people
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Financial help: Autumn Ministers Conference
News! We're in a position to be able to offer some subsidised and free places to our Autumn Joint Ministers conference for those whose financial situations preclude them coming. This
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Reading the Bible in small groups
blogged about this before, but I'm freshly invigorated to share a new kind of small group study. Wait for it.....we read the Bible. OK, that's a bit simplistic. We're aiming to
R and I have a book we read each Christmas. It's called Skipping Christmas by John Grisham and it's a short, sharp parody on the excesses of a US Christmas. It makes us smile and gets us
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Preaching Christ from the Old Testament
London fraternal is thinking about preaching Christ from the Old Testament using this paper by Sinclair Ferguson. It's free in our resources section and well worth some of your time (and
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Preaching happy triggers
sometimes catch a snippet of the Radio 4 Sunday Morning service and yesterday was one of those kind of days. The service came from Brooks Bar New Testament Church of God in Manchester. I
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Expository preaching in the US
can't tell you how heartened I was to see this infographic at this year's T4G conference. Worth a minute of your time. And not as universally accepted across the pond as you might
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Preaching the psalms
Sunday evening I'm taking our evening service where we have a little section on "how to read...." for different genres of the Bible, followed by Q&A and a short sermon from
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Who are we, exactly?
time to time it's useful to say who the Proclamation Trust is - not because we're in any doubt ourselves (!) but because it's quite incredible just how many people don't get it.
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How your preaching reveals your bias
interesting conversation with a colleague today about preaching bias. None of us, of course, would say that we don't attempt to preach a particular passage faithfully. We study it, we think
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Internationals Administrator
looking for a part time Internationals Administrator to come and work with our PT Cornhill team here at our London office. We enjoy and benefit from welcoming international students to
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Would it have mattered if Jesus was married?
BBC have been reporting that Jesus may have had a wife. Their headlines and intro are written with some licence, however, given that even the professor who is hawking the 4th Century coptic
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Secondary issues are not non-issues
often talk about secondary issues. That's sometimes helpful terminology when we're talking about gospel partnership and evangelical distinctives. It's not entirely unbiblical either -
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Furnishing your heart
see the boy Lewis has been blogging some Flavel. Good. He's always worth reading. For what it's worth, here is a dose from a book I've been sent - although it is actually a quote, I
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EMA 2013
morning is our big EMA 2013 planning day. It's exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. In the last five years, nearly 2,500 different people have attended the EMA (2,390 to be
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Christianity Explored evangelistic tract
Sunday I had the joy of baptising a man who had been converted after reading a Two Ways to Live tract. There are plenty of us who have every reason to be thankful for that resource. I still keep
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Duplicity (4) - some remedies
is the answer to duplicity? First some truths: God does not want us to be like this. He loves as individuals before he loves us as preachers. He wants us to know him and walk closely to
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Duplicity (3) - I love the Bible
preacher spends all his time in the word of God. He loves the word of God. He meditates on it day and night. He treasures it in his heart. He delights in its decrees. He does not neglect the word
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Duplicity (2) - My prayer life is great
pastor prays. Always. Have you noticed? He prays before his sermon, perhaps. He prays at the end. Maybe if he is leading a service he prays during it too. He attends the prayer meeting - it's
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Duplicity (1)
spent some of the weekend reading a book that made be sad. It was Tyler Hamilton's The Secret Race helpfully dispatched by amazon on publication day. It tells the story of professional cycling
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Autumn Ministers Conference
like to invite you to our Autumn Ministers Conference, held at Hothorpe Hall in Market Harborough from 12-15 November 2012. This year we're joined by Doug Moo leading workshops and
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Literal, huh?
have just started reading The Lost World of Genesis One reviewed in EN this month. Too soon to say what I think of it. However, the early chapters did get me thinking about what we mean when we
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Please pray
don't often ask for things on this blog. That's deliberate. So you won't find any monetary appeals (though we're always welcome when people support the work). However, we're
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The minister's Bible
started a new series at church last Sunday evening taking us through the Bible story genre by genre and equipping church members to 'read the Bible for all its worth' (to borrow a well
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Something special for an eight year old
Heritage Books produce some very nice gift books and I've enjoyed reading through Lady Jane Grey - a Christian biography for young readers. It's a hardback children's book and
enjoyed a few weeks away and noticed how many of the good books I read began well. Can you spot the openings? Click through for the answers. (I realise, by the way, that releasing my summer
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Best books on preaching (10)
Speaking God's Words by Peter Adam I've saved one of my favourites till last. Peter Adam's volume is the theology of preaching and it warms my heart. This is such a dense, packed
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Best books on preaching (9)
The supremacy of God in preaching by John Piper You know what Piper is going to say, right? Of course. But here he applies his trademark style to preaching, and it is worth it. It's not long.
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Best books on preaching (8)
Preaching Christ in all of Scripture I said Ed got two in the list and here's the second. I'm always telling my preaching group to make sure their sermons offend the Rabbi and Iman.
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Best books on preaching (7)
The archer and the arrow by Philip Jensen and Paul Grimmond When The Trellis and the Vine came out, many of us thought 'this is an excellent book, but where is preaching mentioned or
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Happy Bank Holiday
office is closed today (UK Bank Holiday) so enjoy an extra rest day. We
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Best books on preaching (6)
Preaching and preachers by Martyn Lloyd Jones It used to be that preachers were marked out by whether they liked Stott on preaching or MLJ. No longer, I hope. Both are useful. But sadly, until
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Best books on preaching (5)
Preaching and Biblical Theology by Ed Clowney Ed gets two books in my list. Here is the first. Every preacher knows the importance of biblical theology. But every preaching also knows how it can
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Best books on preaching (4)
The priority of preaching by Christopher Ash Short. Pithy. Pastoral. To the point. A book written for ordinary preachers in ordinary churches. A book which simply says "it is worth it."
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Best books on preaching (3)
Expository preaching by Haddon Robinson There are lots of "how to" books on preaching. These make me a little nervous because they give the impression that the spiritual work of
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Best books on preaching (2)
The glory of preaching by Darrell Johnson Here's a book you may not have come across (unless you've asked me about books on preaching). Johnson works at Regent College Vancouver and this
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Best books on preaching (1)
are SO many books on preaching. Many have lots of merit, and it seems almost churlish to single out some over others. But over the summer, I've put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and
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Best Numbers commentary
people have asked me, as I've been working through Numbers, what my favourite commentaries have been. I've been using lots. But these three stand out. For a detailed
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The error of disproportion
a cultural break from sport last week when Mrs R and I celebrated 21 years of marriage and we went to the Proms to see Elgar's The Apostles. It's a curious piece - full of Edwardian
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The idolatry of the games
it was fun wasn't it? I loved it. Free to air sport. Drama. Tension. Enjoyment. A really good spirit every time I went near the park and for the closing ceremony (which Mr Mayor gave me a
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EMA music
singing at this year's EMA was superb, thanks in part to a great musical team headed by Richard Simpkin. For those who have been asking, here's what we sang: Be thou my
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A confession, but I'm not ashamed
sorry, but today I have to admit.....that I read Thomas a Kempis. Of the imitation of Christ (77p on your kindle) is certainly a book of its time (late medieval). It's quite Catholic
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Sabbaticals - some practical tips
you're thinking in your church - we could never do that! We don't have the resources, time, people etc. You may be surprised. Try it. Put it like this - if your minister burns out,
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (7)
Sabbaticals protect ministry families This will not apply to you if you're minister is single, but let's assume for a moment he's not. Do you know the pressure ministry puts on
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (6)
Sabbaticals allow a church to exercise a wider mission It does depend, of course, how a minister shapes his sabbatical. But unless he's just inward looking - focusing on his own walk (a
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (5)
Sabbaticals allow churches to reshape leadership models Chances are leadership works in your church the same way it has always worked. That may be great. But there's no incentive (or time) to
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (4)
Sabbaticals are great ways to develop local church leadership Even those of us who put our money where our mouths are and identify and train up new leaders know that it can be a bit of a hit and
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (3)
my next contention: 3. Most ministers overwork I recall going to an FIEC fraternal years ago when the ever-youthful Andy Paterson (he's really 82, he just looks 36) said that most
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (2)
two of seven... 2. Rest is a biblical idea A sabbatical fits the biblical pattern of work and rest. Now, we most clearly recognise that demarkation in the working week. But think about this -
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Sabbaticals - seven good reasons (1)
may not be a blog series for you - you may need to pass it on (carefully and graciously) to your church leaders. However, here are seven (geddit?) good reasons for ministers to have occasional
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Simple words
should be simple with their words. We shouldn't make the mistake that simplicity robs words of power, depth or profoundness. Our number 3 is just reading a Michael Morpugo book called
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On the danger of stock pictures
good books. Shame about
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The insidious danger of the Insider Movement
latest issue of Modern Reformation has landed on the office doorstep and there is a short, but excellent article on the Insider Movement: Maybe you haven't heard but the most explosive
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Identity check
had a few months of highs and lows - such times are common currency for most pastor-teachers. Highs and lows can be caused by all kinds of things - things said to us (or not), sermons going
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A sermon on singing
was on double duty last Sunday - preaching from Numbers 11-12 in the morning and then in the evening we had a different kind of evening where we thought as a church about singing. It was all based
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Should we pray to the Spirit?
often ask their pastor - "Is it right to pray to the Spirit?" I wonder - do you have an answer? Do you have a practice in your own prayer life? It is true - there are no prayers to
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Review: am I called?
not often you come across a book and think to yourself, 'You know, I'm glad that's been written'. However, Am I Called by Dave Harvey is that kind of book. It's a book
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Connected
yet another book on the Trinity, or something fresh? Something fresh, by which I don't mean something that is not orthodox, but a book on the Trinity that is both deep and accessible,
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Redefining words
Terry Leahy and I have previous. I won't bore you with the details but we were both appearing in a court case where each's evidence contradicted the other and I got it in the neck from
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When your to-do list overwhelms you
fastidious about to do lists. That's partly because I cannot remember all the things I have to do and partly because I live in terror of forgetting to do things I've promised. Still,
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Here we come, Wales
and I are off to Newport tomorrow to work with a small group of pastors in South Wales. We love doing things like this, even though it means crossing the border (only joking!). In fact, it's
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Autumn ministers conference
the summer kicks in (I wish!) why not take a moment and book a place at our Autumn Ministers Conference. This year we're excited to be joined by Doug Moo, the NT scholar and church
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Numbers 11-12 and a prayer for purification
to the wives this morning on Numbers 11-12. It's pretty numbing stuff. I finished this wonderful prayer from Valley of Vision: Lord Jesus, I sin. Grant that I may never cease
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Where do ministers get their fellowship?
of us are away at our Summer Wives conference and having, I trust, a happy time: Carolyn Ash preaching from the psalms, I'm doing Numbers. Rachel is doing the organising and, wonder of
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An important pastoral reality
heard sad news this weekend from the family of one man who attended the EMA and a good friend to us - his youngest daughter was killed in a car accident aged just 18. Our thoughts and prayers are
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People like sin
watched a fascinating programme on BBC last week about the Group B rally cars. These were the madness years of rallying (early 1980s) when manufacturers were allowed to submit cars with little or
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Diagnostic questions for pastors
part of his third day preach on 1 Peter at the EMA, Paul Tripp asked these searching questions. Have you lost sight of the fact that you deeply need all that you preach? Have
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The horse and its rider
the rigours of EMA, Carolyn and I cycled up to the British Museum on Saturday to see the exhibition about the Horse in human history. It was, like all British Museum exhibitions, superbly
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Prepared for death?
one of "those" phone calls on Sunday afternoon to tell me that a dear saint who had served as a missionary in Brazil for 40 years had been called to glory. She was elderly, blind and is
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Radio 4 programme on women bishops
programme on Radio 4 yesterday including a very high quality section with Andrea Trevenna from St Nicholas' Sevenoaks. Listen here. Go to 16:38 if you want to skip context and go
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EMA 2013
it's only just finished, but here's news of the next Evangelical Ministry Assembly. We're moving, as you probably know, to the Barbican, which will allow for many more people to
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A call to empathy
an email from a dear brother in Nigeria who's had to cancel his EMA trip because of the situation at home. I've anonymised the letter, but you'll get the main
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EMA internationals
of the joys of Thursdays at the EMA is our international reception. Sadly this year there will some missing (those who couldn't get visas, and some others from Nigeria who feel it is a bad
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EMA 2012 Day One
first day at this year's EMA. Here's what's happening. Christopher Ash is kicking us off with an exposition of Psalm 55 In the second session, Mervyn Eloff is
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And here's one of me with Paul....
the EMA nears (and for us, it's already started), here's my plea. Let's fight against the celebrity culture. We've got some good speakers whom we've invited because
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For those who crave disappointment...
from Mrs R: "Oh well, there's always Andy
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Introducing Introducing books
EMA sees the launch of a new mini series from PT Resources. We've edited the opening chapters of three of our Teaching... series into little books called Introducing Acts, Introducing
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This year's EMA books
Friday selection next week are two crackers. First of all, we've got Carrie Sandon's Different by Design for £7. Carrie is the women's worker at St John's Tunbridge Wells.
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This year's EMA books
Thursday of next week, we've got two more crackers. They're our two new volumes in the Teaching... series. Simon Austen has written Teaching Ephesians for us. Simon is our Ephesians
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This year's EMA books
Evangelical Ministry Assembly is just around the corner, so it's time to tell you what books we'll have on special offer each day - these are our stage recommendations. On Wednesday
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It's here - the PT app
for proctrust in the app store to get the new PT iPhone app. Audio downloads and streaming plus access to the blog. Make sure you've got it
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Why preaching is still the thing
often post links to other places (I think there is more merit in being original than simply filling internet pages with links to links to links). However, in this case, I want to make an
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The obedience of the Lord Jesus
Weekes and I had the same 'Eureka moment' during our Cornhill practice classes last Tuesday afternoon. At least we like to think it was a 'Eureka moment'. Students were
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The real skill of preparation
you are the kind of preacher who spends some significant prep time studying the text (and if not, what are you doing?), then I think I've worked out one of the hardest parts of the
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Robin's wisdom...
Colin asking the questions and Robin
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A preacher's encouragement
had the joy this last Sunday of preaching at a local church as a stand in when someone had pulled out relatively last minute. It was a small, but happy church. It got me thinking about where
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Some people missing from the EMA...
beginning to hear about some brothers who are being denied visas to attend this year's EMA. Last year we had one delegate who was refused entry and put on the next plane home. This
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Short thought on preaching
anyone else do their best sermon preparation in the middle of the night? I woke up last night and finally worked out my sermon outline. We need to tell up and coming young preachers that this
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Why sharp exegesis matters
have been reading a family devotion book recently that has, up to now, been pretty good. The format is well tried. Each day there is a verse or short passage followed by 200 words or so of the
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The small print of the gospel
week, cycling to work, I was confronted with a huge e.on advert proudly telling me that for 2012 it would not put prices up. Brilliant. Only I've just got a letter through the post from e.on
Aaronovitch wrote a very pejorative article in yesterday's Times about women bishops. Sadly (or perhaps, fortunately) it's behind a paywall. But he managed to dismiss proper biblical
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Chance to win Christopher's book
a shameless attempt to fill half term blog space, here is a competition (and, by the way, a link to a very good blog) to win a copy of Christopher Ash's bible-overview-with-a-difference
are delighted to announce that the Revd Dr Tim Ward will take up the new position of Associate Director of the PT Cornhill Training Course in February 2013. This is a senior
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Lee unlimited
did you do this jubilee weekend? I read Lee Gatiss' new book, For us and for our salvation, published by the Latimer Trust. (I know, I know, the Reynolds household is just one big bundle of
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It's the jubilee
tempted to post a deep meaningful biblical theological post about biblical jubilee to celebrate the Queen's 60 years on the throne of GB and Northern Ireland. But we're too tired!
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A week in the life of Corinth
just finished reading Ben Witherington (the Third)'s little book A week in the life of Corinth. This is a semi fictional account of life in Corinth seen through the eyes of Nicanor (a
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Getting into the detail of Genesis 1-4
the making of books [on Genesis 1-4] there is much. As I've been wrestling with the text I've found this one particularly helpful - it's C John Collins Genesis 1-4, A linguistic,
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Men or people?
have noticed that in our conservative evangelical circles we often refer to humankind generically as “man”. We speak of “God and man” or “man’s deepest
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Getting the right answer the wrong way
it matter if you get to the right answer the wrong way? I think it does. Let me explain. This weekend I'm preaching on Genesis 2.4-25. There's a huge amount there, and there's
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Summer Wives
as soon as the EMA is finished, we're off to Hothorpe and the summer wives conference begins. This is for wives of ministers in the first few years of ministry. It's normally a sunny,
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John Dickson at Spring Younger Ministers
now got the video up for John Dickson's three talks (each about an hour). Fascinating stuff - and his enthusiasm is
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I shed a tear. You may too.
not ashamed to say that yesterday two things brought a lump to my throat and a little tear to my eye (not a full blown blub, you understand): Elections in Egypt. I saw a lady queuing
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Credo, spaghetti and swords
always find Credo magazine a stimulating read. And, for the misguided (!) amongst our readership, it doesn't wear its credo-baptist credentials on its sleeve too much. Latest issue is here. I
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Younger Ministers 2012 -David Cook
Cook's three sessions on preaching based on Acts were great. The last session, in particular, was gold dust and even if you skip the other two is worth downloading. The audio is online here
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Cornhill Summer School: 2-6 July 2012
Cornhill Summer School is filling up. This is a week of learning for anybody involved in teaching the Bible and those who want to learn how to do so. Click here for more information. It's
you noticed how difficult some people find it to say 'sorry'? Take Joey Barton. I know. I must. It was a thrilling end to the Premier League last Sunday - perhaps there's not been
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Two ways to live iOS app
long been a fan of Two ways to live. It's short, pithy, clear and contains the essentials and heartbeat of the gospel message. Even if you don't use the outline in book form, having
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Marriage petitions: both/and
don't normally promote petitions - it would be very easy to get into all sorts of political debates about which Christians, in good conscience, hold differing views. But the question of
as you may know, are subject to 20% VAT, whereas print books are not (funny how they always end up similar prices). You may be interested to know that one legal firm (Berwin Leighton Paisner
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Stop using illustrations
some anyway. My heart always sinks when I hear the words "I'm not sure whether to use this illustration or not....." in a sermon. Mrs R tells me that at that point she
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Learning from Peter the preacher
sat through a great session at our younger ministers conference with David Cook on preaching in Acts. Audio and video up soon, but for now, here are David's conclusions on Peter's three
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Preaching from an iPad
noticed last week that David Meredith preached from an iPad. I asked him for a few tips to which I'll add one or two of my own. These are, of course, not hard and fast rules. But it's
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Three important history books
spent two conferences with Dr John Dickson, we've been encouraged to think rightly about history. We'll post the audio and video soon, but in the meantime, here are his top three
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A useful funeral tip (2)
many of us have had to endure this 'nice' little poem at funerals: Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened.
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A useful funeral tip
week and next I'm chairing workshops at our ministers' conferences on preaching at and leading funerals.We've had some interesting tips. Here's one from Tony Cannon who ministers
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Wisdom from the world?
to read an interview in the press at the weekend with Philip Collins. He was the (very young) speech writer used by Tony Blair who, it is said, made a large contribution to Blair's
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When a few words of faith are not enough
the FA cup final on Saturday (US readers, that's a sports game called association football that is the world's favourite game, but I understand if you've not heard ot it), I
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Youthwork and legalism
is a really useful article by Cameron Cole over at TGC on why youth work tends towards legalism. Read it if you're a youth worker or minister with youth work in your church, It's
this year's senior ministers' conference and being greatly challenged by John Dickson's sessions on history, evangelism and exegesis. Helpful stuff for preachers which will be
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Call me: we all have a blind spot
least one, in fact. I was reminded of this reading obituaries of Chuck Colson, who died last week. He was a great Christian, in many ways. His conversion was astounding and the work of prison
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The Gospel as Center
is a US book. You can tell that from the misspelt (UK readers)/correctly spelt (US readers) title. But there is just about where any US/UK divide happens. Some books are so rooted in their
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The root idea of marriage
hesitated to wade in with my size 9s on the whole marriage thing, not because I don't have strong views (oh, I do) but because I don't particularly want to preach to the choir.
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Come praise and glorify our God
been thinking about EMA music. When I was at T4G, I greatly enjoyed singing Tim Chester's words based on Ephesians 1 - Come praise and glorify our God. At least, I assume Tim wrote the
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On how Bible studies could make you Catholic
been reading the latest issue of Modern Reformation which contains a series of devastating interviews with those who have left mainstream evangelicalism for Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy,
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Why I am a procrastinator
is a hard book review to write. Why? Because in the review I am about to give I will reveal something of my heart and a lot of my sin. That's unavoidable. As soon as I tell you that this
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The freedom of self-forgetfulness
spent a profitable hour yesterday reading Tim Keller's little book The freedom of self-forgetfulness. It's essentially a sermon on 1 Corinthians 3.21-4.7. As such, its 46 pages tackle
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Introducing Expositional Preaching
of the most encouraging things I saw in the US was the desire to promote and practice expository preaching in the local church. In fact, this is one of the affirmations of the T4G
short book is all about why the prosperity gospel is wrong. Not really a book for the UK, you might think? Wrong. You would be surprised at the reach. But I think, through a combination of
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T4G: a few reflections: the value of free
number of free books you get given at US conferences is Stupid (spelt with a capital letter deliberately). This despite the fact that one of them was UK Celebrity Pastor Christopher Ash's
favourite interchange of T4G at dinner one day when I sat down with a bunch of strangers from West Virginia: West Virginia Pastor: Hey, where are you from? Me: England WVP: Wow, I
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T4G: a few reflections: Celebrity Pastors
the remainder of this week I'm going to offer a (very) few observations arising out of T4G. I had the privilege of going (along with a few other Brits). For a more detailed report
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Book review: different by design
have just read Carrie Sandom's recently released book Different by Design: God's blueprint for men and women (Christian Focus, 2012) and want to recommend it very warmly. This is a
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Learning about preaching from Paul
need to always remind themselves of Paul's own view of preaching. Here are five important principles taken from his first letter to Timothy: 5. Preaching requires a devotion to
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Learning about preaching from Paul
need to always remind themselves of Paul's own view of preaching. Here are five important principles taken from his first letter to Timothy: 4. Preaching must be based on a
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Learning about preaching from Paul
need to always remind themselves of Paul's own view of preaching. Here are five important principles taken from his first letter to Timothy: 3. Preaching requires appropriate
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Learning about preaching from Paul
need to always remind themselves of Paul's own view of preaching. Here are five important principles taken from his first letter to Timothy: 2. Preaching is based on a clear
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Learning about preaching from Paul
need to always remind themselves of Paul's own view of preaching. Here are five important principles taken from his first letter to Timothy: 1. Preaching flows out of a passion
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Easter weekend
office is closed today and Easter Monday for the UK bank holiday weekend. But what a weekend! Every Sunday is a time to remember the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. But having
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Refreshing your Hebrew
am working over my rather inadequate Hebrew with a resource recommended to me by James Robson, who teaches Hebrew at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. It is called Living Biblical Hebrew and is
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Learning Greek
you want to learn Greek, there are lots of resources around. Corey Keating has a list of online resources here. Some of the links are worth following through. I learnt in a class using the
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Do languages matter....?
a preacher need original languages? This post could go on for a long time. I think the simple answer is "no." Understanding original languages is not a qualification for being
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Ephesians and the church on fire
just been doing the final editing for Teaching Ephesians, due out in a couple of months and ably written by Simon Austen. What I love about his book is that he relates everything in
up whose preached through Exodus and got faster when it comes to all the Tabernacle building regs (chapters 25-30). Thought so. Me too. But these chapters are hardly incidental. In fact,
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A colourful phrase
suggested on Tuesday that using notes allowed one to make use of one or two memorable phrases, phrases with colour and life and vitality. Here's one example I've just read in our
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Holiday reading
was asked this week what books I was taking away at Easter (a week's holiday then a five day trip to the US for T4G, but back at home base for Good Friday and Easter Sunday). I must confess
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Sermon notes
few people have asked for examples of sermon notes. I'm extremely hesitant to do this because, quite simply, what works for me is unlikely to work for you. And vice versa. However, having
a follow up to this post about preaching without notes, here are some more thoughts; I've had these because I've just listened to a recording of a sermon. I try to do this fairly
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It's all in the projection
of us preside over church meetings/services (choose your language as appropriate). And an increasing number of us do that in churches which don't use hymn books or printed sheets but by
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Human hands, God's fingerprints
scanning through the latest issue of Leadership magazine and came across an article which was asking church leaders to explain how they 'planned worship experiences that generate
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Can we see without special effects?
same issue of Leadership I mentioned yesterday also contains an interesting article by John Ortberg. He is arguing that we do not need special effects to see Christ. Amen to that. But I'm
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iSingWorship
here's an interesting idea. Some churches/groups struggle in meetings without music even though they would like some. There's now an iPhone/iPad app that provides music for songs and
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Princeton Library online
Princeton online library is an enormous and valuable resource. It is full of rare and useful books, over 55,000 of which have been digitsed. I have been reading, for example, The war and
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Not the end of books
up a confession. I love books. I love the feel. I love the smell (especially of old books). I love the crack when I break the spine of a new book in order to read it comfortably. But
the IX marks journal there is a largely positive review of David Murray's How sermons work. I enjoyed the book (five of your English pounds well spent), but there were one or two places
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Online magazines
of our favourite online journals have new issues out and are worth checking out. The new edition of Credo is about mission and reads like an old fashioned missionary mag. I love it. A
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Resources for the psalms
posted a few times in the last week about the difficulty of preaching from the psalms. I maintain that they are not easy Bible passages to expound well, especially as we seek to
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ekklesia: just a few facts
are some interesting facts based on my trusty Logos software: Uses of ekklesia in NT: 114 translated as church/churches 108 times (ESV) translated as assembly 4
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My only comfort
saw last week that it was important to remember that the Old Covenant is not the New. This is especially true, I suggested, with some of the Old Covenant promises which only find their
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Joshua Harris and the Simeon Trust
interesting testimony here from Joshua Harris about preaching workshops that they run with the Simeon Trust. Like us, the Simeon Trust try to work on expository preaching with those
looking through some books for the EMA and I've just started reading this one: a collection of contributions edited by Carson and Keller entitled The Gospel at Center. In the opening
ambition is Alister Chapman's new assessment of the ministry of John Stott: 'critical yet sympathetic' so the dust jacket goes. It was written in Stott's lifetime, with
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Preachers Day
was a good day. I really enjoyed the interaction with occasional preachers. Good for me, at least. Hope it was good for them too. If you live in the Colchester area, your moment is
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The Old Covenant is not the New
a day on Saturday teaching occasional preachers about how to teach from the psalms. It's an interesting topic - most occasional preachers might be asked to preach every now and again
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Meaningless words
of the things about preaching is that it involves words. You may have noticed. I guess that many of us who are preachers don't use full manuscripts; even those who do probably stray off
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Happy World Book Day!
if there aren't enough celebratory days already.....but here's one that's worth celebrating. Since the times of the printing press, Christians have loved books. That's no
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What is the importance of preaching?
a small group of us were listening to this talk by Peter Adam from the 1993 Senior Ministers Conference. The purpose of our gathering was to explore the question "what is the
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Silence is not so golden
The Artist is the best film of last year. Not so sure myself, but then they didn't ask me (*). This represents the final nail in the coffin for visual over audio, apparently. The twentieth
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Last chance for London Preachers Day
the last chance to book for the London preachers' day here at Willcox House this Saturday. How to preach/teach the psalms.... More information
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Spring Senior Ministers Conference
Hall, Leicestershire, Monday 30 April to Thursday 3 May 2012 All ministers need encouragement and help to keep going with the gospel and with the task they have been given, of
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Why quotes don't work
been doing some thinking about quotes in sermons and I want to share my conclusions with you. In fact, to be more precise, I want to tell you why quotes rarely work. It's because
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Prophecy in the church today. Or not.
video is now almost a couple of years old, but a repost is worthwhile. It is from the 2010 EMA and is a discussion on prophecy in the local church between Ian Hamilton (Cambridge Presbyterian
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How to be a sermon hack
day yesterday when I gave the East Anglia Gospel Partnership meeting my top ten tips for "how to be a sermon hack and other ministry shortcuts." One minister said to me
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The language of a sermon
Sunday, one of our congregation came up to me after I had preached Jude 20-25 and said "nice speech, pastor." I was a little bemused. I suppose, in some ways, my sermon was a speech
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How to read the Bible through the Jesus lens
is a book I really wanted to like. Each book of the Bible is taken in turn and using a biblical theological framework the theme of the book is explained (in a pithy sentence) together with
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Weakness and authority in preaching
have been reading very slowly through 2 Corinthians in my personal bible reading; it has been doing me a lot of good. In chapter 13, Paul is grappling with the tension between weakness and
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Evangelical Ministry Assembly 2012
are some fascinating EMA stats: in the last twenty years over 5,500 different people have attended the EMA in the last five years over 2,500 different people have attended the
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Books of the Bible like never before
normally link to things from Challies blog - everyone reads it anyway!! But, just in case you missed it, this is very pleasing indeed. Free downloads in high
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London evenings
a great joy to have David Cook back with us. David is the recently retired principal of the Sydney Missionary and Bible College and he will be leading three evenings on the book of Acts
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Preaching for your heart
is Vaughan Roberts at the Women in Ministry conference last month, preaching on the heart. Session 1 is a biblical overview on the heart, then session 2 a sermon on Psalm 27 and session 3 a
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Rewriting hell
an evening at the opera (*) last week with Mrs R. I say 'enjoyed' but it all actually ended in disappointment. It was fine, lovely even, almost until the very last minute. We went
not long finished reading this excellent book. It's a collection of sermons (twenty five of them), together with some short explanatory introductions preached on a variety of
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Spring Younger Ministers Conference
year's Spring Younger Ministers Conference takes place from Tuesday 8th May to Friday 11th May. We've got David Cook and Evangelist/Historian John Dickson coming (both from
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Cornhill, then what?
often ask us whether PT Cornhill serves as an adequate training for pastor/teachers. The simple answer we've always given is "no" - here's a little bit more flesh on the
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A word is worth a thousand pictures
been wondering about the power of a film/movie. Carolyn and I went with our daughter to see "The Iron Lady" just after it came out (you can't say we're not on the
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Preachers and Preaching by Lloyd-Jones
quoted a bit from Lloyd-Jones' Preaching and Preachers a couple of weeks ago I noticed that Zondervan have reissued it in the US, packaged as a 40th anniversary edition
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So, what did you do this weekend?
Monday morning conversation in the PT office: Me: So, Crystal, what did you do this weekend? Crystal: (our office administrator and my PA): Went to Cannes Me: Cannes,
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Why I'm proud to be a library user
are many excellent reasons to be a proud card-carrying library user in the UK (free). I can go my local library, sip espresso and read The Economist, for example. Oh, and I can also borrow
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Wrong date on training flyer
those who were at the South East Gospel Partnership day on Saturday and received a flyer about training, you may have spotted that it's got the wrong date on it. The ILPG London preachers
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Slaves not servants, and a free Study Bible
managed a bit of the SEGP day with Phillip Jensen on Saturday, looking forward to catching up with some of the audio. But session 1 was a passionate defence of the language of slavery as
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When caricatures don't help
don't always agree about everything and even within orthodox evangelical Christianity there are differing opinions on some things which must surely come within the realm of
reckon that one of the endemic weaknesses in much of my preaching is that I am so keen to squeeze all the good material into my allocated time, that I cram them full of cognitive content and
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Lloyd-Jones on the main thing
a little more from Lloyd-Jones on finding and keeping the main message (we would say, theme) of a passage: The thing I am concerned about is that you make certain that you
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Over the pond? Don't despair....
was 1991 when Dick Lucas and around a dozen or so pastors sat down in a room at Tyndale House Publishers in Carol Stream (a suburb just north of Chicago). They studied 1 Corinthians 13
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His masters voice
various reasons which are too complex to explain I've been flicking through Lloyd-Jones Preaching and preachers again (now, sadly, out of print). There are some real nuggets here and
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Grace and the Old Testament
the Old Testament is part of the unfolding story of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 8.9), then it must follow that every Old Testament book can be couched in those terms. Dane Ortlund
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The Corinthian Question
am about to start teaching 1st Corinthians to the second year students. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the mass of commentaries that have been written on this letter. And it is equally
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2012 Catechisms
year, my boys and I are trying to memorise a catechism each. My sons are six and five, and I’ve started using with them Carine Mackenzie’s excellent little book My
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Good letter in the Times last week
every now and then there is one, you know (a good letter, that is). It was last Thursday, but it's taken me until now to post it. Sir, Delighted as I was to
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New Credo issue available now
of the best new things on the internet is Credo magazine, OK, as a baptist, I may be biased, but this serious publication is not in-your-face baptistic. In fact, in this particular issue, you
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Urgency in preaching
was teaching John 9 at Cornhill earlier in the week and we were puzzling over Jesus' words when he says "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when
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Parish Nursing
a brief chat the other day with John Sparks who is a trustee of Parish Nursing. This is an interesting organisation which encourages the provision of nurses to churches (not just Anglican
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How to be a younger minister
got a great tape archive that we are gradually getting around to putting online. Here's one we've been meaning to do for ages. It's Phil Jensen on "How to be a younger
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Weekday evening training with David Cook
those in or within reach of London, we've got three weekday evenings planned with the excellent David Cook. These evening lectures are an introduction to the book of Acts, especially for
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god in a box
favourite piece in last week's newspapers was a story about Indian airport security. There is already a list of categories of people who do not have to go through security (army chiefs,
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Yep, it's another one
making many [marriage] books there is is no end' (Ecclesiastes 12.12). Everyone seems to have to have a marriage book. The latest is Mark & Grace Driscoll's Real Marriage, the
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The glorious church
an excerpt from PT's latest title (publication expected in the summer) - Teaching Ephesians by Simon Austen. It's strong, as you would expect, on the doctrine of the church and
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Preaching as an encounter with Christ
am reading through 2 Corinthians very slowly in my quiet times and was struck by this (from an older commentator quoted by C.K.Barrett), commenting on 2 Corinthians 5:20
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The third minority
preachers have probably always been in a minority. In fact, for a long time they've been in a second minority. Christians (in the most general sense) are themselves a minority in the UK
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Happy Christmas
closing down for the Christmas season. Too many parties to attend. Sorry, that should read, too many Christmas sermons to prepare/give. So, we'll be back in the new year. With all
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Preaching into the wind
been a long while - too long I hear you cry! - since Cycling Confucius had anything to say, so by popular request, he is back: Cycling Confucius, he say If you're
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Time for the Messiah
Off to Christchurch Spitalfields for a production of the Messiah, that perennial seasonal favourite, and rightly so. It's biblical theology in musical form. If you've never
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We're with Cromwell, fun at Christmas
senior staff are all with Cromwell on Christmas. Sort of. 'Midst all the frivolity, it's important to be serious. Here's our effort for the students. I doubt this will go
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Easter cuteness
almost Easter (!). As little Isabel reminded us at breakfast today. "Daddy, when's Easter?" "Isabel, it changes every year." "Why?" How to explain
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What are our spiritual weapons?
preaching soon on 2 Corinthians 10 and this morning I've been wrestling with one question from verse 3. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the
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Old EMA, back to 1988...
about the 30th anniversary of the EMA (2013) we've been doing some research on old EMAs. Here's the cover publicity for the 5th EMA (1988) called "Into the World".
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WWJD?
interesting BBC News article here about What Would Jesus Do? in the light of the Occupy movement outside St Paul's. Generally, a very informative article. Interesting too that the original
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Christmas Open Air
with some trepidation, I'm going open air Christmas preaching at an East End market frequented by Muslim groups. Should be interesting (although that's not the word that
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What not to wear
Trinny and Susanna. Do you know that preachers should think carefully about what they wear? Not that what they wear really matters, not eternally. But we "make sure that we put no
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Review: Engaging with Martyn Lloyd Jones
with Martyn Lloyd Jones: the life and legacy of the "Doctor" Edited by Andrew Atherstone and David Ceri Jones, £16.99, Apollos, 365pp I guess this is a book that is
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The power of the gospel
never forget the power of the gospel to change lives. I was reminded of this by a story from the life of Archibald Brown, our first pastor at the Tab. He was a remarkable man who
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Sermon or lecture?
morning I've got part three of four sessions with the Cornhill students on the book of Numbers. I'm going to start the day by preaching to them a sermon based on Numbers 5-6. It's
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Advent. Both comings.
difficult to read the OT advent prophecies without coming to the conclusion that both the first and second advent belong together in Bible thought. This is sometimes seamless, sometimes
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Archibald Brown, my new hero?
of Truth have got a new biography out. Written by Iain Murray (one of our best biographers), it's the story of Archibald Brown, our church's first pastor. He led the church through
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Dick Lucas on 2 Peter
the video for Dick Lucas' sessions on 2 Peter at our recent conference. Session 3 is particularly useful. You can access audio only
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Serving Undiluted Wine
am working slowly through 2 Corinthians in my Quiet Times in the mornings, and was this morning reading chapter 2, verses 14-17. The scholars struggle with the transition from the end of verse
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New staff appointment at PT Cornhill
am very pleased to announce that Dr Jonathan Griffiths will be joining the PT Cornhill teaching staff in September 2012, in time for the next Cornhill year. After studying theology in Oxford,
preached 2 Corinthians 6.14-7.1 this last Sunday. There's a curious sentence: "What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" Who is this Belial? Some study work required. First
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Some useful links for Bible translation help
to the Times last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking at the 400th anniversary of the KJV, warned "against making Bible texts more accessible." He is
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Carl Trueman on preaching and the Trinity
gave us three sessions on the Trinity last week at our autumn ministers conference. Session 1 was some historical background - 500 years of history in 45 minutes, a useful recap. You can
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Autumn Ministers music
of the delegates asked what we sang at the autumn ministers conference and whether we could post a list and links. So here goes: Great is thy faithfulness I will glory in my
is 25 minutes well spent. Vaughan introduced our recent autumn ministers conference with a brief look at Luke 6 and challenges for all those in ministry about keeping going. Turn off the
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What is the mission of the church?
deYoung and Greg Gilbert's new book is an important one, I think. I enjoyed reading it pre pub and now it's out. Even if you don't agree with it all, it's a model of gracious
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Just so you know what I'm worth
a preacher, my worth is not derived from: the time I start in the office the time I finish in the office how early I get up to pray how good a preacher I
should not do impressions. Impressions rarely work as this rather hilarious Jimmy Saville clip from straight-laced Peter Donaldson doing the six o'clock news bulletin on Radio 4
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Sure you've got the torn curtain sorted?
interesting aside from last week's conference was that Carl suggested that we may have got the torn curtain wrong (or at least, not wholly right). He explained that the tearing verb was
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Please pray
pray for our brother David Robertson, minister of St Peter's Free Church of Scotland in Dundee. He is very seriously ill with a heart infection which seems to have spread and it seems touch
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Notes on 2 Peter 2
our Autumn Ministers Conference] For a midweek Bible lecture it might be feasible to run through this shocking chapter section by section, verse by verse. For a Sunday series on 2 Peter,
are my rather garbled notes from Carl Trueman's session last night. An excellent apologtic for faithful preaching. Just a week and you can have audio/video as well! Words are the
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Moralising Narrative
time I teach Esther at Cornhill I am reminded of the dangers of unwarranted moralising, by a series of published bible study notes on Esther. The author of the notes assures us
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OK, so some quotes are OK
been listening to a wonderfully heart warming sermon by Johnny Prime at the FIEC leaders conference. Having said that we should use quotes sparingly last week, Johnny proved me wrong with two
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The brick Bible
something we've used from time to time - the Bible in LEGO. Yes! I'm not kidding. The brainchild of Brendan Powell Smith, his site now has loads (and I mean loads) of Bible
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London evenings: video
you would have liked to make it to the London evenings on Numbers but were unable, here is the entire content in video form. There are six videos - we had three evenings with two sessions per
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Quote unquote
a rule, I think pastors shouldn't use quotes in their sermons. There are a number of reasons for this: quotes tend to come from written material rather than spoken material and,
happens to us all. Last week I was on holiday, then ill, then stepping in for someone at the last minute. A pretty chaotic set of circumstances that meant by preparation was poor, prayerfulness
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Don't be distracted by the famous texts
not agin preaching texts. In fact, this last Sunday (Reformation Sunday, in our church at least) I preached Romans 3.22. "Good, good" said the wise sage Dick when I told him.
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X Marks the Spot: Preaching Chiasms
have had an exchange of e-mails with a pastor-preacher I greatly respect, about how best to preach a passage where the structure is chiastic. We were not sure, but between us had three
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Choosing names matters too....
more lighthearted observation - at the same ceremony mentioned yesterday, I was wakened from my reverie by one of the names read out. And the prize goes to...Amber Lin. Dear
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Why careful language matters
can sometimes be rather sloppy with theological language. There are many reasons for this: laziness, misunderstanding - and perhaps some of us who stand at the front of churches get too
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Book review: A minister's wife
takes all sorts to be a minister’s wife”. That’s what Rachel Lawrence writes in ”The Minister’s Wife”. If that’s true, is it possible
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It's not just the preaching...
tend to focus here on preaching, and are right to do so, but preaching has a context which is normally (narrowly) a worship service in church and (more broadly) a pastoral ministry
the standard evangelical application; worthy if a little predictable - read your Bible more; pray more. But what if we've got those two essential ingredients of our quiet times wrong?
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Calvin on John's gospel
the privilege of sitting in on some Cornhill teaching last week as they embarked on a mammoth series in John's gospel. Christopher kicked off with this helpful Calvin quote. A
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PT Cornhill
a day at a theological college this week and met up with some past Cornhill students. Delightful. One told me that, when it came to preaching, it was noticeable (even after three years)
not talking about the covenant of course!! I'm thinking about commentaries on 2 Corinthians. (What? You didn't spot that?) One of my favourite commentary sets is Eerdmans New
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Why good arguments often fail
of Why Good Arguments Often Fail by James Sire (IVP). This is one of those increasing rarities, an IVP US book that makes it onto the IVP UK catagloue. We're richer for it though.
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New online journal
a new online journal out called Credo. OK, so it is written by baptists (hoorah!) but it looks very serious and thoughtful and I've enjoyed the one or two articles I've read so
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New strategies for reading the Bible
front page headline in this month's Christianity Today caught my eye Why leading evangelical scholars are arguing for a new way to interpret Scripture Got me worried! Novelty
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What language shall I borrow?
recently had the privilege of attending the West London Ministry Meeting at Duke Street Church in Richmond. Mike Reeves of UCCF was speaking to us about Richard Sibbes’ book originally
their preaching groups, our second year Cornhillers are working through Colossians - a tough book for them, a real stretch. Last week we got to Colossians 2 and that particularly vexing baptism
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Reading week: a thoroughly good idea
Stott used to have this reading plan: one hour a day, one three hour period a week, one day a month and one week a year. I'm not sure I can keep up with that much structured reading
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Doing the numbers
you're planning a sermon series, there comes a point when you have to decide how you're going to divide up the book. Note this is even true if you take one week at a time and
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Something missing?
R and I had a hot date last weekend going to see Bach's St Matthew's Passion at the National Theatre. Wonderful stuff if you like that sort of thing. And many of the words (it was an
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Drawing lines of application
last weekend I preached 2 Cor 2.12-3.6 - a passage in which Paul defends his ministry to the Corinthian brothers. In many ways it's a fairly straightforward passage to exegete. There are
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Blind spots and inconsistencies
all have them - and we often need others to point them out. Not so long ago I went on a long journey with a fellow pastor who was hot on Sunday observance but drove the whole way at 90mph (on a
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New conference audio - only 19 years late
a small staff, but we're gradually getting round to transferring old conference audio from tape to digital. Latest are four talks by Peter Adam from the Senior Minister's
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Psalm 150, Luke 6 & Ezekiel 1
you want some audio to start the week with, here are the most recent sermons from the PT directors: Christopher preached last Sunday at St Mary's Maidenhead. He took the church
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What do you do all day?
the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Joanna asks Huck what it is that ministers actually do. "Oh, nothing much. Loll around, pass the plate - and one thing or another. But mainly they
has a bit of everything - law, story, poetry, prophecy - which makes it an exciting book to read and preach. But it also means that the tricky issues raised by OT preaching
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Why context really does matter
bit more banging of the drum. Have a quick look at Numbers 30. Woah! One verse on oaths for men and 15 on oaths for women. Or, more precisely, why oaths for women can always be overridden by
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A new start: recommended audio
is the audio from Vaughan Robert's talk at our Spring Wives Reunion last week. It's based on Luke 6. Although some of the application is targeted specifically at the wives, it's
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Playground friends for pastors
Isabel (7) proudly told dad that she is to be a playground friend. What does that mean? "I have to help people who are arguing and make sure everyone has someone to play with." I
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Summer Wives Reunion
we had our spring wives reunion and a great time it was - not too formal, just a chance for those who come on the spring conference to get together and encourage one another. We've
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A different kind of funeral?
always seem such a miserable send off. A poorly attended mid week meeting or, worse still, 90 years of life crammed into 15 minutes at the Crematorium. So here's what we used to do at
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It's the gospel, isn't it?
be repeated in an Indian voice). I'm just back from India and, as always, such trips are good for my soul. For one thing (amongst many), I see more clearly there than I do walking
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London evenings with a talking donkey
you live or work around the London area, why not come along to our three London evenings on the book of Numbers? These are designed to unpack a Bible book, with a particular focus on teaching
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Why here?
essential part of any preaching any passage is to ask why it is there in the first place. It's not always obvious. Take Numbers 15 Numbers 11-14 begins to describe the terrible downward
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Top Numbers Commentaries
those who have been asking, here are the commentaries I have found most useful in studying and preaching Numbers. They fall into two categories, what I call analytical (i.e. verse by verse)
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Preaching with a manuscript
sometimes seems that preaching without notes is something of a holy grail for preachers. I dispute this. To think that somehow preaching can only be powerful and Spirit filled if we're not
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Why preachers must embrace missions
happen to think that missions is an imperative for the church and, thus, not something that a church leader can choose to ignore. But a church is quite able to be committed to
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Paul's guide to applying Numbers
do you go about applying a book like Numbers? There is a wrong path, of course. We might call this moralising. It's where one takes a story in the Old Testament and simply wrenches it out
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Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Geddit?
should a preacher make of a passage such as Numbers 7.12-83 which contains a long list of offerings brought at the consecration of the Tabernacle? Each tribe is represented in an
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Illustrations and Paul's wife
Mead has an excellent blog on preaching and this kind of post (taking care over illustrations) is pure gold. Also saw today a post (H/T Justin Taylor) about Paul being a widower, something
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The world tilting gospel
just finished reading Dan Phillips' latest book, The world tilting gospel. Dan is part of the Pyromaniacs blog team (always thoughtfully provocative). The book is essentially an
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Why context matters...
PT made rock, it would almost certainly contain the word CONTEXT. You can't think about context enough if you want to handle the text faithfully. Here's a very brief
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Autumn Ministers Conference 2011
you're back from holiday and nice and relaxed, why not think about joining us at the Autumn Ministers Conference at Hothorpe Hall. The dates are Monday 7 - Thursday 11 November
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Preacher, don't forget the little words
don't normally post on a Sunday, not being a work day, but I've just finished preaching 1 Thess 2.12-13 in a Hindi language service and I've been vivdly reminded of the importance
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Three titles - all helpful
modern Bibles the book of Numbers is called Numbers because it's about....numbers. There are two massive census counts that bookmark the book and, as I argued yesterday, structure the book.
of the things we teach students on the Cornhill Training Course is to think carefully through how books of the Bible are put together. They are not just a random collection of thoughts pasted
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EMA@30
just started planning the 30th EMA to be held at the Barbican in 2013. We've done an interesting exercise to map out all the timetables from the last 30 years and this wordle is
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When is a cat not a cat?
it's a dog, of course. Sometimes, things are not always what they appear. For example, take the infamous "trial by ordeal" in Numbers 5.11-31. On a first reading it seems
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Numbers, exciting numbers
must get in a post about cricket. England have just whitewashed India, the number one test nation in the world, drubbing them 4-0 and gaining the number one spot themselves in the
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Applying Romans 14/15
a very practical illustration of the application of Romans 14/15 in our church setting. It's all to do with Halal meat. We live (and our church is situated) in a Muslim
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Simplicity in Preaching
have been reading a wonderful forthcoming book by Derek Prime about Charles Simeon, and loved this, from Simeon, about simplicity in preaching: “The distinguishing mark of the
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Sinclair's Decalogue of Preaching
new edition of Themelios is out and preachers ought to read Sinclair Ferguson's article on what he wishes he'd been taught about preaching. I don't think I'm spoiling by giving
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Making of the KJV app
excellent Bodleian Library have created a really good app for the iPhone and Android based around their making of the KJV exhibition. It's not free (sadly) but still worth a
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Why your church needs pew Bibles
post from Ian Metcalfe, Director of Publishing at Hodder Faith As Publishing Director for the UK's largest Bibles publisher I do have to declare a vested interest in this
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Keller: preaching teams
Redeemer they preach series and the preaching team all participate. How does Tim manage that process? Here he answers the question. Again, useful snippets of wisdom for those leading preaching
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Keller: prayer IS your life
I interviewed Tim Keller at this year's EMA, prayer was a very strong and useful theme. How pastors need to hear
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Keller: pastoring larger churches
some more from the Tim Keller interview at this year's EMA. This time around it's some useful thoughts about pastoring larger
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Keller: pastoring and preaching
this year's EMA, Tim Keller on the relationship between pastoring and preaching and how that differs in a larger church. Also some stuff on how Keller "learnt" to
final part today! The connection between 2:20 and 3:1 should not be missed. An established pattern of Christian relationships (3:1-4:6) is aptly joined to the main matter of the letter.
2:6-7: The core appeal from Paul to the Colossians was ‘Remain true to your beginnings’. ‘The virtual identification of the tradition of the facts about Christ
on Colossians 2.1-5 These are concerned with, Discouragement (2:2) Elitism depresses the humble saint, who feels ‘disqualified’ and inadequate. (John
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Paul's Message: Notes on Colossians part 8
Col 1.25-27: Paul’s commission was ‘to preach without reserve the whole Gospel of God’ (Lightfoot). The mystery (singular), long hidden, has now, by deliberate divine
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Paul's Ministry: Notes on Colossians part 7
strikes home here is the implicit rebuttal of ‘triumphalism’. Paul presents a pattern of ministry very different to that of the Elitist. For the church’s sake Paul
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Notes on Colossians part 6
Word of Exposition (Colossians 1.15-23) = "This is the Gospel" Never ending speculation as the provenance of this section can divert us to the recognition that, This
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PRAYER: Notes on Colossians part 5
Prayer, Colossians are further reassured. 1. Their spiritual Privileges (12-14) Future secured (12) Present secured (13-14) 2. Their spiritual Progress
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HOPE: Notes on Colossians part 4
key word in Colossians is HOPE: Hope in Colossians refers to that which is stored up for the believer in heaven (Col 1:5), as well as at Christ’s future appearing (Col
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Notes on Colossians part 3
Word of Endorsement (1:3-14) In Thanksgiving, the Colossians are reassured:- 1. That they had received the authentic apostolic gospel (1:5,6) A word of Truth A
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Note on Colossians part 2
one way of dividing the text that I shall follow: Synopsis Initial greeting (1:1,2) Word of Endorsement (1:3-14) Word of Exposition (1:15-23) Word of
2011/12 resource guide is now available online. Hard copies are only sent to UK residents due to the prohibitive costs of mailing it abroad. So, if you are interested in our work or want
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Notes on Colossians part 1
note: starting today we have a two week set of posts from the pen of Dick Lucas based on work he prepared for a conference in Scotland. Enjoy this rare treat!] My overall
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John RW Stott (1921-2011)
at the Proclamation Trust gladly pay our tribute today to John Stott as both friend and example. Soon after WWII it was he, as the new Rector of All Souls, who set an unsurpassed standard of
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Keller: cancer and resurrection
this short excerpt, Keller explains how having cancer was like a death and resurrection
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Keller: dealing with criticism
one of the snippets we'll post from my interview with Tim Keller at this year's EMA. This one has some helpful things about dealing with
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John Stott with Christ, better by far
just heard that John Stott died peacefully today. More information
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10 things to do before you die?
cycling through the Rotherhithe Tunnel is one of the "ten things to do before you die" - or, possibly, one of the ten things that will bring this moment forward. It is
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Summer reading
love reading and spend a lot of my time reading, as do many pastors. So what do you do over the summer break? I leave the Christian books at home. At least, when I'm on holiday I take
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Keswick delight: Word to the world
away from the office at the moment speaking at the 2011 Keswick Convention. This is my first time, and it seems to be a great occasion, though obviously I am biased. Keswick in the
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The value of a good no.2
all over. For the one regular reader (hello, PS!) who loves cycling too, the Tour de France is gawn. One of the best that I can remember with twists and turns right up to the end.
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PrayerMate
the last few weeks I've been trying out a new iPhone app designed by our IT manager here at PT, Andy Geers. This is the sort of thing he knocks up in his spare time (in fact it was a
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Sex, marriage and ministry
day. Another fall from grace. I'll spare you the details. But it is another marriage and another minstry ruined. Tears. Grief. It brings into sharp focus a seminar that Mrs R and I
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The tender heart
just finished reading one of Sibbe's sermons kindly sent to me by Mike Reeves (one of next year's EMA speakers). It has been produced by Banner of Truth in one of those little
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Le Tour, c'est ça
OK - this has nothing whatsoever to do with preaching (though I can make a connection....don't tempt me). However, I love cycling and I especially love the Tour de France. Not only is
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Autumn Ministers
is now open for the Autumn Ministers Conference. It runs from 7-10 November at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire and is a good mix of teaching, group work and fellowship. This year it's
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Culture and (not) Christianity
a day off this week (it's one of the Ten Commandments, don't you know?*) because of a heavy up-coming weekend. Did some real culture-things (apart from watching some of the Tour de
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The Three Commandments
I know there are Ten. But some of us at PT have been helping out in Chessington Evangelical Church's recent series, so here are the audio links for Dick Lucas on You shall not make
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Christ in the psalms
on from yesterday's post here's a more practical outworking of the messianic implications of the psalms. Let's take a simple psalm, say Psalm 1. We could argue a lot about
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Understanding the psalms
psalms are, without doubt, a treasure trove for the believer. But how do we preach them as Christian literature? My colleague, Christopher Ash, has some helpful pointers when he teaches this
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Christian contentment
preaching on coveting (or rather on not coveting) at Chessington Evangelical Church this Sunday. The secret to keeping the commandment is Christian contentment and I am always much moved
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EMA Rap: Tim Keller, nice fella
the words of session chairman, Vaughan Roberts, "I can confidently say that was the first time we've had rapping at the EMA." Brilliant, just
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Summer Wives Conference
day away at Hothorpe. One more day a year here and I would have to enter the place as a second residence on the census form! Each day, though, is precious and valuable serving
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Free Kindle ESV
little while ago US Kindle users could download the ESV for free to their device. For the moment, UK users have the same offer. If you have a kindle, don't miss out. Click here. H/T
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Summer Systematics
of this blog will know that here at PT we’re about expository preaching. As well as doing what Martin Luther said and ‘beating our heads against the text until it
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Carl Trueman's Republocrat
just spent an enjoyable day reading Carl Trueman's Republocrat (it's not a long book). I didn't bother with it when it first came out because I thought it would be focused on
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EMA 2011 - David Foster Wallace quote
also had a few emails asking for the David Foster Wallace quote. Wallace was an avowed atheist who committed suicide in 2008. Keller says this is a useful quote in evangelism. It is taken
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EMA prayer (and public praying)
had a couple of emails this morning about the opening prayer on Day 2 of the EMA. Is it written down somewhere - i.e. did I nick it! Well, yes... and no. I';m a great believer in
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EMA 2011 Peterson Acts quote
referred several times to David Peterson's Acts commentary (in the Pillar series). Sadly, we only had a couple in the bookshop becasue (a) we didn't know he was going to refer to it
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A different kind of mid week meeting
in church ministry knows that it can be hard to make midweek meetings work. Substandard Bible leaders, unenthusiastic members, tired contributors, bypath meadows - these are the bane of
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EMA 2011 music
a lot of people have asked me for a list of the things we sung at this year's EMA - so here goes. Where they are available online, I've linked to the source. I've done them in
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Carson article from EMA
people have asked Tim Keller about the Carson article he was referencing in yesterday's EMA. Here it is. H/T The Gary
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What has the internet done for you?
Wells second session at the EMA yesterday was about the effects of the internet. Sadly, I couldn't get to it all (conference director's plague) and I will have to catch up with
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EMA: a prophetic word
year's EMA kicked off well yesterday despite rain storms, floods and power cuts (all included in the admission). I want to blog about David F Wells' session which which was extremely
and about recently, I sat through several services where the mighty Spirit of God was talked about in a very unhelpful way. It's no wonder that our people have strange ideas about the
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That bad? Really?
now. Dare I say it? I realise this is a political hot potato, but I quite like the new NIV (2011 the edition). I noticed recently that the Southern Baptists (who have their own translation,
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Why Bibles make me see red
getting round to buying a print edition of the new NIV. I'm not persuaded by the negative publicity that surrounds it - not yet, anyway. But reading through the NIV catalogue from
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Introducing the 2011 EMA exit books
year we secure a number of books available for just £1 at the EMA exit. We introduced this as an idea last year and it was enormously successful. This year, we've gone for three
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Introducing the 2011 EMA books (3)
Day 3 stage recommendation for the EMA is Fred Sanders Embracing the Trinity (as it's known in the UK). It is also sold under its US title, The deep things of God: how the Trinity changes
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Introducing the 2011 EMA books (2)
day at the EMA we have a stage recommendation. Day 2's recommendation is Preacher, keep yourself from idols by Derek Tidball. I recently reviewed this for the Churchman journal. It's
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Introducing the 2011 EMA books (1)
day at the EMA we have a special stage recommendation. Day 1's recommendation is Preaching to a post-everything world by Zack Eswine. This is a really useful book with some great help.
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Introducing the 2011 EMA
now one week to go until the 2011 Evangelical Ministry Assembly. That means the office is a bit, well, hectic. But it's exciting too. We have 831 delegates -
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Asking the right questions of a text
faced with out-of-the-ordinary situations in Bible passages, our minds immediately fill with questions. It's difficult, as preachers, not to dwell on these questions, particularly if we
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In good company and the tone of the text
a really very helpful post by Piper here on the preacher's tone and its connection to the text. Well worth a couple of minutes of your time. I notice too that Piper manages to
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Working with women Part 3
part today: Recognise most women staff are more emotionally involved in their ministry and find it harder to switch off. Women may not have the same output levels as
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Working with women Part 2
continues with godly tips for working with women: Initiate meeting up / have a regular meeting to talk about their work – women need to do this. When
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Working with women Part 1
of us work with paid female staff. Those who do not nearly all work with unpaid female helpers of one kind or another. At our recent senior ministers conference we invited Brenda Beckett from
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It's not fair (Olympics and Ministry)
not fair. Despite applying for loads of Olympics tickets I received none. It's not fair. I even went for some really obscure ticket choices, after all second round men's
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The parting of friends - a sobering story
just started reading a now-out-of-print book that a good friend bought for me. It's called "The Parting of Friends" by David Newsome and it was published in 1966. My copy
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Consistent preaching
your preaching consistent? I know you hope, pray and work for excellence, but the bottom line is most of our preaching is a bit hit and miss. I wonder, though, if congregations really
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Tremendous Technology
now and again technology astounds me. Sometimes it astounds me with it’s capacity for evil (like the current web of gossip, deceit and betrayal unearthed by Twitter), and at other
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Does God have a bank holiday?
another bank holiday in the UK and everything is closed. It got me thinking about what God does on his day off - not a bank holiday of course, but his Sabbath. Some very brief
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Hearing the Spirit
new book Hearing the Spirit is now out. There will be plenty of copies available at the EMA, but for those who are unable to make it there, it's already on sale at
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Early Diary Dates
is not yet open for our next season of conferences (it opens on 1 July) but many of our conferences now get booked up early so it helps with planning to have the dates in the diary now.
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BTW: you're not the Messiah
a helpful reminder. Read Christopher's short and very sharp exposition of Psalm 131 here (May 2011 Evangelicals Now). If a spiritual listening device were switched on in our
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Senior Ministers: New Music
had Philip Percival with us last week helping with music and were able to learn three new songs, the first of which we even managed in three/four part harmony - amazing! Behold our God
week we spent some wonderful time with Iain Duguid in the book of Numbers. Here's some helpful stuff on Numbers 33 which might also help you with clear thinking about some of the other
brief notes from Iain Duguid's second session: Why are there so many stories in the Bible? "In our culture, stories are for children and for the beach in the summer. We tend
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Duguid: Why we need the gospel that changes
at the Senior Ministers' Conference at the moment and enjoying the ministry of Iain Duguid. Iain is a great OT scholar and is at Grove City College (if you're from the US you
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Called to the Ministry?
Sunday I had the privilege of speaking to over 100 students at a lunch at St Andrew the Great Church in Cambridge. I was asked to speak on the question, ‘who is called into paid
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@thecross
is a new book by John Benton published by EP. It grew out of sermons that John preached at Chertesy Street Baptist Church in Guildford. From the start it's obvious that this book is
week was a bit of a struggle in the PT office. We had moments of great joy, especially in planning for and thinking about the future, but also in seeing students grow and develop. We had
short strapline ("When God's word is faithfully preached, God's voice is clearly heard") causes some to stumble. We know that. And it's always going to be the case that
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Why Tim Chester wrote You can change
you've been following these blogs you'll know that we had Tim Chester at last week's younger ministers conference. We've not yet posted the video and audio, they're worth
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Rich beyond measure
folk up at High Church Hilton (Aberdeen) have written a book which they have used evangelistically and which I've enjoyed reading over the weekend. Entitled Rich: The reality of
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How do we pastor one another?
from Tim Chester's second session at last week's Younger Ministers Conference. How do we pastor one another: We pastor one another every day. This is certainly the biblical
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Preacher, walk closely with Christ!
taught two seminars last week on the importance of maintaining a close communion with our living God through his Son and in the power of his Spirit. It was based on a rather enigmatic
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Pride is our greatest enemy
second year Cornhill student recently asked me a very good question: ‘what sins are our Cornhill year group particularly in danger of?’ This Sunday I am preaching on the shortest
a beautiful morning in Leicestershire and we're sitting under the ministry of Tim Chester, author of You can change. He's talking about...change. Here are some
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Jesus' manifesto and our plumb line
away at the Younger Ministers Conference with a really good group of guys, eager to grow and learn and keep going in gospel ministry. This evening we've kicked off with William
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PT Cornhill - apply now and/or pray now
the new full length promo video for PT Cornhill. Perhaps you have people in your church who would benefit from the course? Even if not, please do pray for this important part of our
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Office shut today, so here's a joke instead
a bank holiday today so the office is shut (I know, another one, though we do, overseas readers, have less than most countries....). Here instead is a preaching joke, purloined from the
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A better royal wedding
you might expect most of the PT staff are avowed republicans (ever heard of irony?) so tomorrow we'll all be playing golf rather than watching the royal wedding (yep, irony again). But
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Rejoicing in the active obedience of Christ
evangelicals we love the work of the cross. We rejoice in the fact that are sins and impurities are washed away - yes! All of them, wiped clean. But justified does not mean
been preaching this weekend on Hebrews 9 and I am confirmed in my suspiscion that my church has a rubbish name. Theologically, that is. East London Tabernacle. Trouble is, there are
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Happy Easter
today we're shut for the Easter holidays until Tuesday 26th April. Then we're back for a couple of days before we are graciously given another day off for a royal wedding. (On which
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Why do kings have jesters?
third of Carl Trueman's church history track talks from New Word Alive focused on Blaise Pascal. I confess that, other than as a mathemetician, I knew very little about him. Perhaps his
"Luther" and "preaching" and the chances are you may be drawn into the debate about whether Luther believed in mediate regeneration. In particular it's this quote
this is convicting for every preacher, isn't it? Let therefore the man who undertakes the strain of teaching never give heed to the good opinion of the outside world, nor be
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David Cook at New Word Alive
is the last day of UK Christian holiday/festival New Word Alive. It's normally a great time away. However, I'm writing this post before the event, so I can't say whether 2011 is
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Bock on Luke
Cornhill students are currently doing some practice classes with evangelistic messages - not easy. This week they're using Luke's gospel and I've been doing some prep using Darrell
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PT Media Papers
are three media papers on the PT website, all available as free downloads. We don't really produce these any more, but these three are top quality. Sinclair Ferguson has written an
there is smoke, there is fire. Criticisms are never completely baseless’ In the run up to this year’s EMA, we have just made the audio from EMA 2007
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EMA booking open - seminar details released
2010 Evangelical Ministry Assembly is booking fast! We're about 75% full which means if you want to come, you need to book soon. We're really pleased with the way the programme is
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It can go both ways
of the time the Christian press reports how Christians are restricted in speaking out about those things that Christians believe in. But it does, occasionally, go the other way too. Here is
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Practical Ministry Seminars
best reviewed conferences are also the hardest to fill! I don't know why that is, perhaps because the thought of a few days away of intensive ministry and training seems a little daunting.
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Just a rain shelter?
heard one of the Jensens (forget which one now) once say about churches..."they're just rain shelters." Amen. Well, perhaps slightly more, but that is the essence of it.
Cornhill we've just moved from preaching classes to evangelistic preaching classes necessitating a slight change in emphasis and feedback - it's not nearly as straightforward as you
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PT Cornhill - apply now
just started taking applications and doing interviews for Cornhill 2011/12. The PT Cornhill course continues to address a unique need - practical preaching and teaching training. Of
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April Fool? No - I'm too busy seeking wisdom
suppose today there should be some suitable April Fool joke - just enough truth to be almost believable, but shocking all the same. You know the sort of thing - Adrian is made
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Who's the leader now?
leads your church? No, who really does? I was reminded this week that church members are required to obey their leaders (Hebrews 13). But who, in reality, is leading the church? This issue
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Melchizedek the greatest priest
the arguments of Scripture are really quite straightforward, even when (on first reading) they seem quite daunting. Here's the next part of Hebrews where the writer is showing how
preached on Psalm 102 last Sunday (you can listen here). It is a wonderfully surprising Psalm, because at the end, quite suddenly and out of the blue, the voice speaking changes from
love living in London - and one of the best reasons is that it is the home of the British Museum. Look - I've got to be honest, when I was young I thought the BM was the dullest place in the
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Good communicators: the proof of the pudding
of us here have written anything about that book yet, primarily because we haven't read it apart from a few sample chapters doing the rounds. But I was very struck by something my good
they didn't say exactly that, but that's how the BBC news website is reporting it (you can read the report here). Not surprising - as it makes for a nice headline. But halfway down
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Useful Hebrews commentaries
just preaching on Hebrews at the moment and there are lots of commentaries to choose from. Here are some I've found particularly useful: the best one volume commentary seems to
am in the middle of preaching a little series of five sermons from the so-called Penitential Psalms at our home church (get them here) and it is doing me good (whether or not it is doing good to
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When Vera Lynn doesn't help your grief
once heard Don Carson distill pastoral work into one phrase: "preparing people for death." He's absolutely right, ultimately. Strange then that many preachers should do such a
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Every preacher should have gears
most and absolutely reverend [it's all about our standing in Christ] P. Suddell popped in yesterday to help with some Cornhill teaching. Always nice to see him as he is a fellow cyclist
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Leaving Amish Paradise
R and I (and little Alice) watched a very moving programme on BBC last night. It's on the iPlayer for a while here. It's about two couples leaving the Amish community, essentially
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I know a little Greek
a passage without giving any thought to original languages is like eating a MacDonalds without thinking "where did this beef come from?" [Wait - does that work as an
week I've got to preach Hebrews 5.11-6.20 which includes the nutty section on apostacy. It's easy to get really distracted by this section and miss the strong exhortation to maturity
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Geneva Bible prologues
years ago, a group of English Protestant scholars exiled to Geneva during the terrible reign of Mary Tudor completed a translation of the Bible. Dedicated to the new (and Protestant) Queen
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Preacher, find a friend
just returned from the Spring Ministers Wives conference for....wives. But some of the teaching from Proverbs (from Vaughan Roberts) was very pertinent to preachers. In fact, Vaughan was
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The idol of novelty
just reading Derek Tidball's excellent Preacher Keep Yourself from Idols. There's an excellent chapter on novelty as an idol with a paragraph which goes to the heart of
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Spring Ministers Conferences
away at the moment at the Spring Wives Conference at Hothorpe Hall at the moment and we're having a great time. Well, the wives are having a great time. Vaughan, Jonathan Carswell and
you might not agree with Dr Peter Masters of the Metropolitan Tabernacle on everything. I'm pretty sure he doens't agree with everything about us. Nevertheless, there are some
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Rugby, red zones and the holiness of God
This morning I started teaching the first year Cornhill students the book of Leviticus. Whilst God’s holiness is clearly one of the
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Prayerful dependence in preaching
a lot of nonsense written (and spoken at conferences) about what PT believes about preaching. Generally speaking, we don't respond to it. But for those who are a little doubtful
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The ability of Jesus
reading through and studying Hebrews at the moment. It's amazing stuff. Moreover, Peter O'Brien's excellent Pillar commentary is a good guide through. I've got to the end of
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Preachers Q&A
is the video of the preachers Q&A from the Preachers Weekend. The answers are particularly geared towards those with an occasional ministry, such as elders or lay people who preach from
Christopher and I have recently taken our wives on hot dates to go and see dead girls - not as odd as it sounds, I'm talking about the Book of the Dead exhibition at the British
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London Preachers Day: Saturday 5th March
still time to book up for our London Preachers Day this Saturday. Focused towards the ministry of occasional or lay preachers, we've already run this day in Bath and
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Vaughan and Adrian at The Preachers Weekend
just had our Preachers Weekend where Vaughan Roberts and I each spent a day taking delegates (occasional preachers and teachers) through their prep on two passages then preached those
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Rubbish Sitcoms and Easy Sin
R and I have just finished watching BBC's new sitcom made by the creator of Friends. It's called Episodes and it's been showing on BBC Two on Monday evenings. It had one or two
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Faith and Obedience
our preachers weekend conference this weekend just past, I picked up a copy of the tribute book for John Piper: For the fame of God's name edited by Sam Storms and Justin Taylor. I'd
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Why Psalms are not like hymns
have been reading Michael Lefebvre’s enormously stimulating book Singing the Songs of Jesus [Christian Focus, 2010]. It is full of thought-provoking and perceptive comment on
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Tongue tied. No more.
just finished reading a book I really enjoyed. It's not a Christian book - it's a work of fiction, somewhat in the line of 1984, but lighter and more quirkier. It was
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The key to a new world: Union with Christ
few months back I had an email from a former Cornhill student saying that he was doing a talk on 'Union with Christ' and asking me to direct him to resources to help him. So I gave
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Don't be afraid to preach to the affections
be afraid to preach the beauty of God I am reading Tim Chester’s outstandingly helpful and important book on porn (Captured by a Better Vision). I am going to
do we find it easier to preach to eager hearers? We know from 2 Timothy 4:3,4 that often people will not endure healthy teaching. And it’s very hard to go on giving healthy
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The King James Bible (2)
is interesting to see the rules the translators of the King James Version were set. Here they are. Not all were followed particularly faithfully. Of particular interest is the political slant
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KJV colour (i.e. trivia)
you're planning a talk on the King James Version or an evangelistic event like the one that Andy outlined yesterday, then it can be useful to have some trivia up your sleeve to lighten the
post from Andy Hambleton, Associate Minister at Duke Street Church Richmond In order to tie in with the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the bible being
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Encouragement in tough pastorates
the last of my posts prompted by re-reading William Still’s The Work of the Pastor, at least for the moment. Writing to encourage a man in a possibly lonely and small
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1879 powerpoint
strictly to do with preaching....but I came across this and found it interesting. This is a picture of a magic lantern being used to project hymn words in 1879 in Boston, USA. There's
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You are not the Saviour of the World
my wife Carolyn and I debrief at the end of a day, one of us often feels burdened by some painful pastoral situation in someone we love and for whom we care. And then the other
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Preachers in goatland
have been re-reading parts of William Still’s classic The Work of the Pastor and came across this wonderfully robust exhortation to preachers to make sure they feed the
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Keep standing, preacher
easy, when you're a Bible-believing, preaching-loving pastor to feel that you're one of a dying breed. Statistically, that may even be true. As a pastor, most of the nearest
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Simplicity and love in preaching
have been reading Henry Chadwick’s biography of Augustine of Hippo, and was encouraged by a number of things. One was Chadwick’s observation that, ‘All the masterpieces on
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Confidence in the Bible
occurred to me recently, talking with several church members, that Christians might say they believe in the Bible but can't actually say why, nor how we can have confidence that the Bible
Taylor recalls one of Uncle Dick's illustrations and helpfully points us towards Tim Keller's answer here. Tim is speaking at this year's EMA on "preaching that
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Book review - with a difference
night I sat down, made a drink, put Gerschwin on the stereo and read Douglas Bond's The Betrayal. It's a book with a difference (it's not the review that's 'with a
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The preacher and his side-swipes
just started reading Simon Sebag Montefiore's Jerusalem: The Biography. It's mostly excellent (so far) - very readable and insightful. SSM himself admits that for much of
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The vernacular Bible for you
week, Mrs R and I went to see the National Theatre's Hamlet with its excellent £10 ticket scheme. It was an incredible evening. I don't mind watching Shakespeare, but it is
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The King James Bible (1)
of an occasional series about how the King James Bible came to be (there are plenty of other people writing about the legacy of the King James Bible - for example, see Glen Scrivener's
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Balanced preaching and my quads
a failed rugby forward I'm always struggling to keep fit. Mostly I do this by cycling everywhere and going on the rowing machine at home. I've begun to notice that I have quads to die
who, like me, have done the Cornhill Training Course will know that they learned almost as much from the students as from the teachers. The students I learned most from were those from
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The sound of silence
worked out a while ago that in the last ten years of ministry I've preached something like 800 sermons, a pretty typical number for a sole-in-charge pastor, I guess. Not
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British Gas and the mystery of godliness
had our boiler serviced a couple of weeks ago and just recently I received this nice letter from Matthew Bateman, the Managing Director for Service and Repair. Dear Reverend Reynolds [a
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Precious parenthood
of my girls have just returned home from school. "Dad, we had a confirmation service today and we said the nicotine creed." Precious. And an interesting credal
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In praise of John Flavel
post about John Flavel reminds me to say what a hero he is of mine (Flavel, rather than Robin - though I'm also very fond of Robin!). The book that Robin is recommending (Keeping
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Ups and downs of Jonah
enjoyed hearing Angus MacLeay (author of PT title, Teaching 1 Peter) at our Women in Ministry. He's been teaching very pastorally and helpfully on Jonah - the gospel according to
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The possibilities of The Senior Service
writing from our Women in Ministry conference at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire. Hosted by Carrie Sandom and Caroline West, we've enjoyed excellent teaching from Angus MacLeay,
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Take heart - God converts the famous too
not one to gloat, but, oh man, we won the Ashes in Australia! A wonderful victory. Those England cricketers are worthy of admiration for achieving what no one has achieved for two
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Keeping the heart: help from John Flavel
really appreciated Adrian's blog post on the importance of guarding the heart - thanks Adrian!. As I am involved with training preachers on the PT Cornhill Training Course, I see
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It's sin that leads to death
the satirical press over the weekend I noticed this story which sounds like a puerile schoolboy joke but is absolutely true. It concerns an adult TV channel which broadcasts unencrypted
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Genesis 1, definite articles and hard work
preaching a four week series on Genesis 1 at the moment. Stirring stuff. Today in my prep I've been looking at the climax of creation on Day Six and how the text has some clues that
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Goodbye Major Dick
was genuinely saddened to read in the paper last night the obituary of Major Dick Winters of Band of Brothers fame (see also BBC report here). Almost unknown outside his regiment, the world
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Free ebooks
you're a techie who's into ebooks (for Amazon kindle, ipad, or just to read on your laptop or PC) you may not realise that many of John Piper's titles are available as free pdf
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Guarding your heart
been much convicted over the last six months that the cause of preaching is linked closely to the state of the preachers' heart. So, I've been seeking out some things to read to
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Confess your sins...and get writing
am struggling a bit with this Scripture memorisation. Robin and I tested each other in the office yesterday and he was pretty much word perfect whereas I stumbled over my words. Moreover, I now
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The Game Plan
of the consistently best evangelical publications we get here in the PT office has to be Modern Reformation (hopefully we'll have a sub offer in this year's resource guide
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Covenant Books
term I had the joy of doing a Bible Overview with the first year Cornhill students. We did it by looking at the main covenants God makes with people. In his
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Memorising Scripture
it's a week on in my quest to memorise Scripture. Another member of PT staff is joining me too. It's been OK this week - I've got the first few verses firmly in my head, though
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Happy Christmas Eve. In North Africa.
some of the oldest churches in the world (together with some of the newest) will be celebrating Christmas Day - January 7th. I'm thinking of having a day off to celebrate. More
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Another Scot lost? Or gained?
loss is the United States' gain - yet another Scot is going West. We were going to say at this year's EMA that Liam Goligher is the Senior Minister of Duke Street Church in Richmond,
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Happy New Year from Philippians...
New Year! This morning I've started to try to memorise Philippians using Tim Brister's handouts (H/T Tim Challies). I'm not finding it easy, though I know it'll be
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Simplicity in preaching
attention has been drawn to this short piece pleading for simplicity in our preaching. I thought it had a number of helpful observations and practical common
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Happy Christmas, and NO to EMA cuts
sure why the good students of the UK might think we are cutting the EMA. We're not. And booking is open!! May we wish readers a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year and
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Women in Ministry 2011
you're a woman in ministry in a conservative evangelical world, you may feel a bit uncared for. After all, we spend ages explaining and thinking through what we mean by women's ministry
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PT books
you read this, I will probably be on final approach to Inverness (see picture, although I'm guessing it's not going to look quite like this on Monday!!). I say probably because more
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Linking ideas
would be relatively straightforward to preach passages without thinking how they fit together. Here's a good example. Hebrews 1.1-4 is a stonking description of the supremacy of Christ.
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Well, it is Christmas....
Tim
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It's all in the headline (NOT)
interesting case coming out of the European Court of Human Rights this morning. It involves three women from Ireland who travelled abroad to have abortions because they weren't able to have
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Q&A to end Cornhill
week is the last week of the Cornhill term before Christmas. This afternoon that means that four members of staff are going to form a panel and answer some submitted questions. One,
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How to avoid being a sermon hack
I hope you spotted that this was a spoof - a little bit of irony. But it hurts, because it's rather close to the mark for many of us. Here's my antidote - five tips for avoiding being
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When seven point sermons can work
not normally in the habit of preaching seven point sermons. But sometimes they can work. I'm not talking about seven distinct separate teaching points, like a Puritan sermon. This
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2011 EMA launch
we're officially launching the 2011 Evangelical Ministry Assembly - our 28th. Held from 22-24 June at St Helen's Bishopsgate, our theme for 2011 will be "preaching that
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My 5 steps to easy preaching
how to be a sermon hack without really trying. I know you'll find these tips helpful: Come fresh to a passage. After all, freshness is best. Make sure that you don't look at a
got lots of commentaries on Hebrews. Some of them are OK, some are not so good (e.g. a Catholic one which is poor overall, but has some good insights here and there). Some are classics
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What helps the preacher helps preaching
raison d'être is to champion the cause of preaching and, of course, we primarily do that through helping preachers with.....preaching (radical, I know!). But the reality is that if
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Marriage & Ministry #3
Benton's session was entitled "The Minister's guide to his wife." Although much of her wisdom was obviously personal, it resonated with many of us, especially, I
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Frances Ridley Havergal on Hebrews
while back I posted a possible series outline on Hebrews and referred to a page from Frances Ridley Havergal's Bible. Well, here it
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Marriage and Ministry #2
now a little while since our Autumn Minister's Conference and I never got around to posting some of the main points from John & Ann Benton's talks on marriage and
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This week on the iPlayer
programmes worth catching on the iPlayer this week before they expire (sorry, UK users only): Ian Hislop's Age of the Do-Gooders. A rather superficial, but nonetheless interesting,
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Long passage preaching
just writing this off the back of a preach on Zechariah 10-11. Too long a passage, really, but there were reasons.... At the other extreme, in this month's Banner of Truth
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Black Cab Bonus
been in London Taxis lots and lots of times, but I don't think I've EVER had a conversation quite like
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Expository preaching
not long finished reading a book for a review in Evangelicals Now. The book is called The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Z Witmer. You'll have to wait for EN to read the review, but one
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Primary Protestants
have two primary schools right by us and which we can see out of our window. I notice that today the Catholic school is shut whilst the Protestant school is open. Is this the Protestant Primary
quote is taken from a 2008 book I'm just getting round to: Reforming or Conforming? Post Conservative Evangelicals and the Emergent Church edited by Gary Johnson and Ronald Gleason
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Do we want Apple to censor or not?
interesting question gets to the heart of some of the issues about the church in society today. For some time, I've been impressed with Apple because they won't allow porn
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Philip Project
had the joy last Saturday of teaching on Friends International's Philip Project, something I have been doing for four years or so. The Philip Project was initially set up to train Africans
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You know you've made a mistake when.....
cycle to work in the morning and then it starts snowing
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God and his whispers
Chester (speaking at next year's Spring Younger Minister's Conference) has blogged very helpfully about Bill Hybel's latest resource The Whisper of God and the normative role
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Ranking preaching
that happened in our lives recently to make me realise once again that Dull but Faithful to Scripture betters Engaging but Loose to Scripture Please, I'm
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So, what did the academic miss....?
you read Henig's letter to the TImes (below)? If so, did you spot where he might have gone wrong? It's not unimportant because these are the kinds of errors we make all the time as we
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Why we're right to keep banging on....
PT is accused of banging on about things that don't seem to matter. But there are some issues that we're right to bang on about, not least that if we are to rightly handle the
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The cross - mourn and rejoice with Cowper
got to one of the purple passages in my study of Zechariah - chapters 12 and 13. There will be mourning "when they look on me, the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for
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On hard study....
Carson thinks it's a good time to be sixty. I'm sure he's right! People are listening to sixty year olds, he says, and here's one the things we need to hear: Careful
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The key to Zechariah
are some books in the Bible which come alive when you realise something really quite simple about them. This is not a kind of 21st century gnosticism, but rather the good old fashioned
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Why I'm a preaching home-boy
a week ago last Sunday on Zechariah 5-6 and yesterday on Zechariah 7. Hope and pray it went OK. I don't think these are passages I could ever have preached anywhere other than at home
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BETTER (a.k.a. Hebrews)
just doing some thinking on planning a sermon series on Hebrews. There are two main ways to do this: a slow(ish) work through this incredibly rich and deep book. I reckon that
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Why bother with expository preaching?
this 15 minute introduction, past PT president David Jackman explains why we should bother with expository preaching. Untitled from The Proclamation Trust on
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Lennox in The Times
Times carries a long interview with John Lennox. Worth a look if you can get beyond the paywall, or you may have do the old fashioned thing and buy a print copy. I can only (for
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What's wrong with preaching?
over eight years ago, one of our former directors, Willie Philip (now minister at St George's Tron) wrote a little booklet Concerning Preaching. In it, he suggested that a useful Satanic
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IX Marks Book Reviews
November/December IX Marks eJournal has some thorough book reviews on the theme of the mission of the church, including those of: Generous Justice by Tim Keller The Mission of
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Bringing the Psalms back into use
just finishing a teaching series on the Psalms at Cornhill and have been very struck by how God has given us the Psalms to teach us how to pray and to praise him. Dietrich
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Why Vaughan comes to conferences
Vaughan explains why he comes to PT conferences and books early! Our next ministers conference is in May for younger ministers (3-6 May) with Tim Chester and William Taylor and then the
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Ministry and Marriage (1)
we are at the ministers conference and we have had two very good, thorough and challenging sessions on ministry and marriage with John and Ann Benton. For starters here are ten questions for
Jackman: don't just preach long passages to get through a long book. You will tend to be reductionist and preach framework. Pause on a verse or two. Mine the riches. Secure it in its
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Isaiah (3)
from start of David Jackman's third session: There was a time when eschatology was thought of as the last chapter of a systematic theology and the home territory of a few crankies.
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Isaiah (2): preaching chiasms
is just explaining, in response to a question, that understanding some of the chiasms (a particular structure of Hebrew literature) is about preaching preparation, not preaching! Use the
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Developing application in Isaiah
have been asking me on this conference [Autumn Ministers Conference] about application in Isaiah now that Christ has come. Make applications about God first. The Bible is God's
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Puritan wisdom for today's Church
just been sent “Pilgrims, Warriors and Servants: Puritan wisdom for today’s Church” which is the transcripts of the St Antholin lectures from 1991 to 2000 edited by
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Commentaries on Isaiah
I first started out preaching and teaching Isaiah, there were very few good commentaries on Isaiah. In the last fifteen years or so there have been some excellent new additions: Alec
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Rural Ministry Seminar
in England is strongest in the cities and suburbs, and we often struggle to make headway in rural ministry – so we are glad to spread the word about a Rural
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Autumn Ministers Conference: Isaiah (1)
from our Autumn Ministers Conference with David Jackman on Isaiah. Tonight it's a birds eye view of Isaiah which has already whetted my appetite for going back to Isaiah
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NIV update. Defining issue?
first heard great preaching from the RSV. It was the first time I had sat through a rigorous, applied message (40 minutes too) and I was mesmerised. The preacher - a little unknown called
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Duh! It's a donkey
reading Zechariah 9.9-10 this morning: 9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and
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Pass the sermon
100 YEARS AGO it was D.L. Moody of Chicago who said, “If you have got a sermon that is good for anything at all, pass it around!” This is basically what a number of
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Flesh. Again.
interesting addendum to my post on the NIV update. The Greek word sarx was originally translated "sinful nature" in the NIV. Now, in the update, it has become "flesh"
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Hand of Moo - updated NIV launched this week
long awaited update to the NIV is launched this week on BibleGateway. You'll have to wait until Spring 2011 for printed copies - but the online version gives you a chance to browse and
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OK, so it's pretentious, but it's true
moi? I try to be a down to earth kind of bloke. After all, I grew up in Essex, went to a state school and can't speak Latin. But I do love Opera. Sorry, but there you are. And
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The gospel that works
is difficult in many cultures to find ways to preach the cross. But we have to find ways, no matter how hard it is, because if it is difficult to do it with words, it is impossible
isn’t anything greater that can be said about this reality in this room, called the church, and all over the world. there isn’t anything greater that can be said
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'Here we stand, we can (still) do no other'
first sight biblical view of truth is obscene to modern minds – it’s arrogant, it’s exclusive, it’s intolerant, it’s divisive, it’s
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The Great Ministry of Reconciliation
we make sure that the church lives out its calling, as a sign of God's plan to bring a broken world back together? That was the subject of Vaughan Robert's (our
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10 books on preaching you may not have seen
are 10 stimulating books (which does not mean we agree with everything in them!) on preaching. So often, when it comes to preaching, the standard books are bandied around. But here are 10 you
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God 1, Enemies 0
moved reading Zechariah yesterday (which we are preaching through at church). I've got three sermons to prepare from later on in the series and I'm working through the book in my
moving testimony in yesterday's Times (of all places). Worth a look: The 33 miners entombed for 69 days beneath the Chilean desert were afraid and certain that they
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Reading apocalyptic books - God's way
started reading Zechariah. Immediately floored by the vision of four horsemen (red, sorrel, white, dark red) standing by a myrtle bush. What on earth can it all mean? It's possible,
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If the world were a village...
just 100 people, according to the latest Crosslinks magazine: only 17 would be Western 33 would call themselves Christians but only 9 might be evangelical 40 would never
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The Big Sing
week I'm leading a seminar at the FIEC Leaders' Conference on the sometimes vexed question of music and singing. It has meant that I've spent some time with my head in
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Invitation to a Practical Ministry Seminar
just planning our 2011 Practical Ministry Seminars. These innovative and intimate gatherings are held at The Oasts conference centre in Sussex and are a great way to
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Andy Gemmill joins Cornhill Scotland team
an excerpt from a Cornhill Scotland news release: I wanted to share with you some additional very good news for the future of the course, and for all of us here
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Dealing with the financial crisis
should churches respond to the current financial crisis in terms of what they do and how they pay for stuff? That's a deep and complex problem - but I have been very encouraged to read
of the joys of being a coeliac is a regular visit to the local NHS hospital for a bone density scan. Yesterday's appointment was heralded with a letter telling me, right at the end, to
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Waterloo Lunchtime (not sunset)
a great fan of doing Bible things at lunchtimes (wherever you live and work) and London working life lends itself especially to that. Susanna, our office queen (aka administrator) has
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Vaughan Roberts on George Whitefield
of the most stirring sessions at this year's EMA was Vaughan Roberts short bio of George Whitefield - focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit in his life and ministry. A must
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How to welcome people in
your church have a flash-y website (geddit?). What words greet visitors as they surf to find out a bit more about your church? I was struck by the welcome that Dale Ralph Davis gives seekers
last week I also read another book worth a mention. It's not a Christian book at all. In fact (yawn!) it's a book about military history. When I became a pastor some 10 years ago,
personally not a great fan of study Bible for their own sake. But they can serve a useful purpose if used well. Up to now, my favourites have been: The Archaeological Study Bible
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Hitting the target
last book of this year's reading week is The Archer and the Arrow by Philip Jensen and Paul Grimmond (Matthias Media 2010, ISBN 978-1-921441-806, available from The Good Book Company for
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Words, words, words
third book I've waded through this week is The Power of Words and the Wonder of God, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor and published by Crossway (2009). The ISBN is 978-1-4335-1049-6
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Why to do a covenant Bible Overview
term I am teaching the first year Cornhill students a Bible Overview. There are many ways of doing Bible Overviews, and I have benefitted so much from Graeme Goldsworthy and Vaughan
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Still bored?
of Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment: Rediscovering passion and wonder, by Richard Winter. Published by IVP US (ISBN 978-0-8308-2308-6). Available from The Book Depository for
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Your thoughts...
I started reading Richard Winter's Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment (review coming shortly). One of the things that struck me about what he says (and he is a psychiatrist,
Willimon: Proclamation and Theology (Abingdon Press) £6.99 from Amazon or £6.51 for the Kindle. It’s my reading week this week so I’ve got
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Avoiding boring sermon illustrations
preachers often suggest younger ones should start a file of sermon illustrations. There isn’t really any other way to avoid recycling illustrations everyone has heard
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Thabiti on conferences
as we're in the business of running conferences, here's a great help posted by Thabiti Anyabwile... 10 questions to ask when attending a
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Doing justice to an acrostic
preaching on Psalm 145 at the weekend. It's one of the acrostic psalms - each couplet begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I have been thinking how a preacher in the
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MLJ memorial lecture
year's memorial lecture hosted by the John Owen centre (there's a lot of this boy at the moment) is given by Stuart Olyott on the topic of Preaching that gets through - God's
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John Owen and the barn
is off to Colchester tomorrow to run a Bible teaching day focusing on the prophets. We'll be working with around 60 local Bible preachers and teachers. This is our first regional venture
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Today tomorrow
had one ear open at breakfast today (15thSeptember) when the Radio 4 Today programme was discussing the Pope’s visit. Various reports and interviews focussed mainly on the numerical
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Writing in a wide margin Bible
you're an ESV user you may be interested to know that Cambridge University Press (who produce fine Bibles) have now added a wide margin ESV to their catalogue. It's not cheap, but if
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Conference Bookings Now Open
are excited to announce that online booking is now open for all of our conferences until July 2011. This includes: Autumn Joint Ministers Conference : 8 - 11 November 2010 London
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Wives' conferences - what's it all about?
week is the second of our two annual wives' conferences. People sometimes ask why a trust concerned with the proclamation of the Word of God should be bothered about such things?
week's Evangelical ministry assembly, on Spirit-filled ministry, was a landmark in many ways. The sessions were stirring and encouraging, and many of you have asked when the
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Union with Christ
across this little summary by G Walter Hansen in the Pillar Commentary on Philippians - it describes how Paul uses the concept of union with Christ together with the preposition with. I found
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How to preach Psalm 8
the joy yesterday of preaching Psalm 8. If you've ever wondered how to do that, or want help to do it, there's a model exposition in Hebrews 2. Hebrews is a great book for knowing how
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Why preach Isaiah?
a world of preaching ‘mini-series’ and sound bites, like ours, teaching Isaiah can seem an impossibly difficult task. The book is vast; its structure is complex, the material is
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What is good preaching?
preaching is Biblical - the Bible, God's word, sets the agenda, rather than the speaker. Anything else is little better than an interesting talk. "Arsenal goalkeepers