preaching
It remains the most helpful mission concept I have encountered in the past twenty years. “WOW – that’s a big call, Paul.” But it is true … and it is so simple. Devised by the late Harold Turner (the Kiwi Newbigin), the suggestion is that for mission to be effective (under God’s gracious hand, of…
READ MOREAn Indian politician was on BBC yesterday speaking about the ongoing tragedy in Sri Lanka and the loss of life that is occuring. However whereas we would speak of “men, women and children”, she spoke of “men, women, elders and children”. How interesting methinks to myself. Is this a reflection of their greater respect for…
READ MOREIf you are committed to the ministry of biblical preaching in New Zealand please read on… As I shift into a role with Langham Preaching and devote myself to helping nurture biblical preaching movements in the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, I have been reminded of how helping to facilitate such a…
READ MOREWhen it comes to the ‘word’ Jesus told a foundational parable. The writers of the Gospels considered it to be so important that it appears in Matthew (ch13), Mark (ch4), and Luke (ch8). The same parable told three times is unusual. It is commonly known as the Parable of the Sower. It is a story…
READ MOREAs a preacher the other challenge I have given myself in 2008 relates to a series in my home church at Mt Roskill Baptist. Given the prevailing discomfort which people have with the Old Testament, I determined to preach a series in which I used an entire OT book as the text for the sermon.…
READ MOREThis year I’ve been reflecting on preaching in the book of Acts. Here are ten things that I’ve been learning:[NB – I have brought these observations closer to home with the use of ‘Auckland’ as it is my home town. Feel free to make the appropriate substitution!]. 1. As in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Rome, we…
READ MOREI’ve been reflecting on the ministry of John the Baptist. Not so long ago I preached on the passage about him in Luke 3. I highlighted the way John demanded a fruitfulness from his listeners and modeled a humility in the way he sign-posted people towards Jesus … and then how this combination of fruitfulness…
READ MOREWhen I first saw the billboards from the Green Party I thought immediately of worms. Two NZ-elections ago the ‘worm’ was the difference-maker. The leaders of all the political parties participated in debates and the audience responded as they listened and this response took the form of worms crawling across our screens. The main beneficiary…
READ MOREWhile I don’t commence employment until 1st April the powers-that-be encouraged me to attend the annual International Council meetings of Langham Partnership International in London this past week. There were many highlights… ONEI loved attending All Souls, Langham Place on the Sunday (my birthday!) before the meetings started. This is where John Stott has been…
READ MOREOver the past few months Barby and I have had the privilege of spending time in countries that were new to us: Thailand, Denmark, and Morocco. Each time – months in advance of the trip – we would get hold of the Lonely Planet book and pore over its pages as we planned what we…
READ MOREAbout Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.