Comments for http://kiwimadepreaching.com ...an initiative of langham partnership new zealand Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:50:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on george wieland – what do they hear when you don’t say anything? by Nige http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/11/wieland-what-they-hear-when-u-dont-say-anything/#comment-4630 Nige Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:50:24 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=903#comment-4630 Fantastic post. I think hearing from the margins is really important. As 1 preacher to another, I wonder if we need more of this style of listening to the word to balance the preacher-preached diet? Fantastic post. I think hearing from the margins is really important. As 1 preacher to another, I wonder if we need more of this style of listening to the word to balance the preacher-preached diet?

]]> Comment on george wieland – what do they hear when you don’t say anything? by Thalia Kehoe Rowden http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/11/wieland-what-they-hear-when-u-dont-say-anything/#comment-4616 Thalia Kehoe Rowden Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:20:39 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=903#comment-4616 Every word of this is so helpful, George. Thank you. Every word of this is so helpful, George. Thank you.

]]> Comment on brett jones – preparation: prepared and revealed by John Phillips http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/brett-jones-preparation-prepared-and-revealed/#comment-3821 John Phillips Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:58:13 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=899#comment-3821 Moving on from defining terms, I can think of occasions when great preachers I have been privileged to hear (eg John Niven, Prezzy and Gordon Fee) soared away from their notes and preached scripture from their heart. They were clearly extremely well prepared but also willing to follow the prompting of the s/Spirit. As one who is primarily a preachee I say long live the tension, and I would like to see more of it in preachers. Moving on from defining terms, I can think of occasions when great preachers I have been privileged to hear (eg John Niven, Prezzy and Gordon Fee) soared away from their notes and preached scripture from their heart. They were clearly extremely well prepared but also willing to follow the prompting of the s/Spirit. As one who is primarily a preachee I say long live the tension, and I would like to see more of it in preachers.

]]> Comment on brett jones – preparation: prepared and revealed by Rhett http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/brett-jones-preparation-prepared-and-revealed/#comment-3554 Rhett Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:09:22 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=899#comment-3554 Brett, if I hear you right you're not suggesting Revelation on a biblical level takes place, but rather that in preaching, the truth of scripture (with the help of the supporting rungs of tradition, reason and experience) is revealed to our hearts and minds in a way that brings transformation. So, as you say, "little 'r' revelation" That would seem to reflect 1 Corinthians 14... "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people." (ESV) Brett, if I hear you right you’re not suggesting Revelation on a biblical level takes place, but rather that in preaching, the truth of scripture (with the help of the supporting rungs of tradition, reason and experience) is revealed to our hearts and minds in a way that brings transformation. So, as you say, “little ‘r’ revelation”

That would seem to reflect 1 Corinthians 14…

“Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” (ESV)

]]> Comment on brett jones – preparation: prepared and revealed by Joe Fleener http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/brett-jones-preparation-prepared-and-revealed/#comment-2886 Joe Fleener Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:43:34 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=899#comment-2886 Hi Brett, If I understand your use and definition correctly it would seem like you are defining the theological term "illumination" and using the theological term "revelation." illumination. The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian person and community in assisting believers to interpret, understand and obey the Scriptures. Illumination is a matter of faith as well as intellectual assent—the Spirit’s goal in illumination moves beyond mere intellectual assent to propositions of Scripture to the moving of the human will to trust Christ and obey him. Stanley Grenz et al., Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 62. In other words I don't think the word "revelation" (according to it's historical/technical/theological meaning) fits your use or description. Whereas, "illumination" seems to be a better fit. Joe Hi Brett,

If I understand your use and definition correctly it would seem like you are defining the theological term “illumination” and using the theological term “revelation.”

illumination. The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian person and community in assisting believers to interpret, understand and obey the Scriptures. Illumination is a matter of faith as well as intellectual assent—the Spirit’s goal in illumination moves beyond mere intellectual assent to propositions of Scripture to the moving of the human will to trust Christ and obey him.

Stanley Grenz et al., Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 62.

In other words I don’t think the word “revelation” (according to it’s historical/technical/theological meaning) fits your use or description. Whereas, “illumination” seems to be a better fit.

Joe

]]> Comment on brett jones – preparation: prepared and revealed by Brett Jones http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/brett-jones-preparation-prepared-and-revealed/#comment-2691 Brett Jones Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:44:22 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=899#comment-2691 Hi Joe, I thinking of revelation (small "r") as "revealing the nature and will of God". I am also thinking of it as a moment(s) in which this revealing takes place for the preacher and the congregation. I am assuming that a backdrop of Revelation (big "R") exists for the preacher and the congregation including the scriptures, the person of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Spirit. Hi Joe,

I thinking of revelation (small “r”) as “revealing the nature and will of God”. I am also thinking of it as a moment(s) in which this revealing takes place for the preacher and the congregation. I am assuming that a backdrop of Revelation (big “R”) exists for the preacher and the congregation including the scriptures, the person of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Spirit.

]]> Comment on brett jones – preparation: prepared and revealed by Joe Fleener http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/brett-jones-preparation-prepared-and-revealed/#comment-2679 Joe Fleener Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:38:30 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=899#comment-2679 Hi Brett, How are you defining and using the term "revelation" here? Thanks, Joe Hi Brett,

How are you defining and using the term “revelation” here?

Thanks,

Joe

]]> Comment on robyn mellar-smith – how then shall we plan? by Allen Hince http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/robyn-mellar-smith-how-then-shall-we-plan/#comment-2469 Allen Hince Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:32:20 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=898#comment-2469 Hi there Robyn - I'm in a similar position to you, sole pastor, medium size church, do the bulk of the preaching. Early on, when I started here at Feilding, I tried to incorporate others (the Elders) in the planning. All I received was blank stares, not because they had no idea how but they perceived as being 'that's-what-you-do'. So I inform them as to what I'm doing and what I'm planning and leave at that. I think, too, that as the pastor/preacher we should be the one who have a handle on the spiritual temperature (if such a thing can be measured) and have an idea as to where to preach from. I use the 'gospel-OT-Epistle approach but not within one year. I have found that I have rush to many series to fit that many in. A series for me is usually about 10 weeks in length. I have visiting speakers within that to break things up or we do special days that come up. Good books to preach - Revelation, Proverbs, and any gospel... Hi there Robyn – I’m in a similar position to you, sole pastor, medium size church, do the bulk of the preaching. Early on, when I started here at Feilding, I tried to incorporate others (the Elders) in the planning. All I received was blank stares, not because they had no idea how but they perceived as being ‘that’s-what-you-do’. So I inform them as to what I’m doing and what I’m planning and leave at that. I think, too, that as the pastor/preacher we should be the one who have a handle on the spiritual temperature (if such a thing can be measured) and have an idea as to where to preach from. I use the ‘gospel-OT-Epistle approach but not within one year. I have found that I have rush to many series to fit that many in. A series for me is usually about 10 weeks in length. I have visiting speakers within that to break things up or we do special days that come up. Good books to preach – Revelation, Proverbs, and any gospel…

]]> Comment on robyn mellar-smith – how then shall we plan? by Brett Jones http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/robyn-mellar-smith-how-then-shall-we-plan/#comment-2239 Brett Jones Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:24:22 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=898#comment-2239 Hi Robyn - I think what you say makes very good sense on the "how" of planning. I'd also go with Hamish's approach - the "who" as well as the "how". We've used 2 primary groups to help us think about the preaching rhythm for the year. We have a teaching team made up of preachers and people who love to study who work together to generate ideas for series and outlines for the series themselves. We also use our eldership as a source of discernment for what the community needs to engage and as an accountability function for the teaching team on the annual plan. We have created filters that we use to assess our annual plan and to stimulate us to create a balanced diet. In addition to what you've named we also follow the rhythm of some of the church seasons including Lent and Advent - these generally serve as discipleship series. We concentrate on our JPM's - Jesus per minute! Is there a Jesus or gospel series? To help us with this we journey with one of the gospels every year. We also pick a theological theme for a series as well - Atonement, Incarnation etc and a Missions series with a distinct focus - aid, refugees, missionary service etc. It makes for a full year but a stimulating, balanced journey through the scriptures. Hi Robyn – I think what you say makes very good sense on the “how” of planning. I’d also go with Hamish’s approach – the “who” as well as the “how”.

We’ve used 2 primary groups to help us think about the preaching rhythm for the year. We have a teaching team made up of preachers and people who love to study who work together to generate ideas for series and outlines for the series themselves. We also use our eldership as a source of discernment for what the community needs to engage and as an accountability function for the teaching team on the annual plan.

We have created filters that we use to assess our annual plan and to stimulate us to create a balanced diet. In addition to what you’ve named we also follow the rhythm of some of the church seasons including Lent and Advent – these generally serve as discipleship series. We concentrate on our JPM’s – Jesus per minute! Is there a Jesus or gospel series? To help us with this we journey with one of the gospels every year. We also pick a theological theme for a series as well – Atonement, Incarnation etc and a Missions series with a distinct focus – aid, refugees, missionary service etc.

It makes for a full year but a stimulating, balanced journey through the scriptures.

]]> Comment on robyn mellar-smith – how then shall we plan? by Hamish Baxter http://kiwimadepreaching.com/2011/10/robyn-mellar-smith-how-then-shall-we-plan/#comment-2222 Hamish Baxter Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:55:06 +0000 http://kiwimadepreaching.com/?p=898#comment-2222 Thank you Robyn, I am asking the very same questions this week as I begin to plan for next year. In fact I was about to ask on this forum if people would be willing to post sermon series that had worked well (noting that context makes a difference). When I began almost three years ago in the Baptist church I was in I made an approach to the leadership of the time with two options of what I might preach following my first series. They laughed and mentioned that no pastor had ever asked that here, so I could go ahead and do what ever I thought best! I am now aiming for a bit more of a team approach to planning but this next month will be my first attempt at that so it is to early for me to say how that will go :) Thank you Robyn, I am asking the very same questions this week as I begin to plan for next year. In fact I was about to ask on this forum if people would be willing to post sermon series that had worked well (noting that context makes a difference).

When I began almost three years ago in the Baptist church I was in I made an approach to the leadership of the time with two options of what I might preach following my first series. They laughed and mentioned that no pastor had ever asked that here, so I could go ahead and do what ever I thought best!

I am now aiming for a bit more of a team approach to planning but this next month will be my first attempt at that so it is to early for me to say how that will go :)

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