preaching
Barby and I have just completed five days in Denmark – the land of Lego, Soren Kierkegaard, Hans-Christian Anderson, a royal princess from Tasmania, Vikings, inflammatory political cartoons, Hamlet, Babette’s Feast, and those industrious windfarms (while 15kms away Sweden positions a nuclear powerplant!)I was attending the biennial meetings of a global scholarly society of teachers…
READ MORELong-time-no-write … because Barby and I find ourselves in Copenhagen for a conference (more on that later) with the flights over here providing the opportunity for watching some movies. We’ve come a long way from The Sound of Music, a linear story (beginning at the beginning and progressing to the end) with basically a single…
READ MOREAs many readers of this blog may be aware, I announced my resignation as Principal of Carey Baptist College last week. I have been appointed Associate Director (Langham Preaching) and will be starting in this role in 2009. The plan is to be based in Auckland for 3-4 years before relocating to somewhere in South…
READ MOREI just love the moment when he opens his mouth to sing, the intensity and pathos of his expression as he sings … and then the gradual evolution of the smile across his face. nice chatting – but no singing from me Paul
READ MOREI have just come from my TV. A few weeks ago I discovered Christian programmes running on four different channels all at the same time. I lingered with each one for awhile. I moved on to the next one. But each time my response was the same – sad, to the point of grief. My…
READ MOREFor those of you interested in the ministry of preaching… There is a spirited discussion going on in the pages of the magazine of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand at the moment. David Allis – with a breadth of experience in church and mission life in NZ and overseas – contributed an article in…
READ MOREOh yes, master changing techniques – most definitely!BUT first be mastered by unchanging convictions. Oh yes, learn to unpack the biblical text – most definitely!BUT also learn to unpack your listeners, your world, and your self. Oh yes, long for the Spirit’s anointing on your preaching – most definitely!BUT also acknowledge his inspiring of the…
READ MOREA little further on preaching … I appreciated that website offered by Sean (on the “Windy Place” posting) and those comments by Kim Fabricius. In it he returns to what I find to be the most ‘frequently asked question’ I hear on the subject of preaching: ‘what about powerpoint?’ Fabricius writes the following:“Technically, Richard Lischer…
READ MOREI’ve just finished reading another book from within the Emerging Church movement (this time it is Doug Pagitt’s Preaching Re-imagined). I like opening myself up to what they write. I enjoy the challenge of reflecting on things from another angle. I find myself responding in much the same way as I have done in the…
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.