Preacher to Preacher

From the Editors

In Thom Rainer’s book, Surprising Insights from the Unchurched,* he reports findings from interviewing thousands of persons who recently had come to faith in Christ and joined the life of a local congregation. He asked them about the factors that drew them toward the church and which things were important to them about their new congregation. The most important things, perhaps surprisingly, were not music, children’s programs, parking lots, and bathrooms! The most important things were: preaching, doctrine, and relationships.

Recently we were in a continuing education conference for Nazarene pastors where Bob Russell, pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky (the ninth largest congregation in the U.S.) was invited to speak. He was given a free agenda and could have spoken on any number of issues in leading a great church. His choice? Preaching. He believes that effective preaching is still one of the most important tools for the church of the 21st century.

We couldn’t agree more. Our hope and prayer is that is some small way Preacher’s Magazine may be a tool to help our pastors become more effective preachers. The weekly sermon is a unique and powerful opportunity to shape a congregation toward a biblical worldview. May the Lord help all of us who preach to seize the moment as we proclaim Good News to the world.

In this issue, Norman Moore presents the first set of sermons for the Pentecost season. Rev. Moore is a tenured evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene.

Ron Blake presents the next set of sermons for Pentecost season. Dr. Blake recently served as Director of the Office of the Ministry at Nazarene Headquarters. He is now senior pastor at Detroit (MI) First Church of the Nazarene.

John Nielson presents the sermons for the balance of ordinary time. Dr. Nielson is Academic Dean and Lecturer at European Nazarene College in Büsingen, Germany.

We are also delighted to feature Justine Knight in the Ministerially Speaking column. Mrs. Knight has endeared herself to Nazarenes around the world with her quick wit and sincere love for the Lord and the church.

Dr. Tom Phillips presents part 2 of his very fine article on Preaching the Bible—and Doing it Biblically, teaching us how to allow the text to refunction for today’s hearer, as it was intended to function for its first audience.

Dr. George Lyons offers a wonderful funeral sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-9, Rejoicing While You Suffer Grief, that we think will prove to be a rich resource for you in this significant pastoral act. And Dr. Roger Hahn returns in the Preaching Life column with more helpful insight on the art of preaching.

* Thom S. Rainer, Surprising Insights from the Unchurched: And Proven Ways to Reach Them, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.