Podcasts about Homiletics

My Story   Talk 25 Our Relationship with the Students A key to the success of any organisation, whether it be a business, church, school, or college, is the quality of relationship between those who work, worship or study there. St. Paul's use of the human body as a picture of the church is a great illustration of this principle. Each member of the body is unique and has a different function from the others, but all the members are equally important. Whatever our role, our aim should be to edify others rather than ourselves. And it's the responsibility of those in leadership to encourage and facilitate the harmony that makes this possible.   As I have already indicated, my relationship with staff and faculty members was, I think, a fairly happy one. Of course, there were times when I got it wrong, but I am sure that the success we enjoyed at Mattersey was due to the favour God granted us by giving us a team who were willing and able to work together in achieving the vision he had given us for the College.   But what about our relationship with the students? This inevitably varied as the college grew, and although I shall be referring mainly to my personal relationship with the students, much of what I say will apply to other members of faculty and, to a greater or lesser extent, to members of staff too. For a body to be healthy, all the members must be in a good working relationship with each other.   And this biblical principle applied to every area of College life. It was expressed in the example we set in our commitment to Christ, in our pastoral care and discipline, in what we taught and how we taught it in the classroom, in our worship and ministry in morning chapel and at church on Sundays, and in our social and recreational activities.   Pastoral Care Before I became Principal I thought that it would be great to develop a personal relationship with every student, maybe by seeing each of them for about ten minutes each week. But I soon realised that this would be completely unworkable with even as few as the 48 students we had when we started. I also began to understand that not every student would appreciate having to see the Principal once a week! Relationships can't be forced. They have to develop naturally.   My first contact with the vast majority of students was when they came for their interview after they had applied to come to Mattersey. Some were understandably quite nervous about this, but this was an opportunity for me to reassure them, advise and encourage them. And as many of them came by public transport, either Eileen or I would often pick them up at Retford Station and the ten-minute journey back to Mattersey helped to break the ice and reassure them that we were human!   And, of course, developing any kind of relationship with someone requires at the very least remembering their name. My father had been the headmaster of a Comprehensive School with a thousand boys, and he once told me that he knew the name of every boy in the school. I was fairly sure that such a feat was way beyond my capability, but I did make an effort to remember the names of all our students.   I began by spending the first lecture period I had with first year students asking them one by one to remind me of their names. We did this going round the class two or three times and by then I was usually ready to repeat their names by memory. I'm not really sure how valuable this was, but at least it showed them a basic level of personal interest in them.   A far better way, however, was what we eventually did once our children had moved away from home. We invited all new students, in groups of about a dozen, for a pizza evening at our home, which was on the College campus, and got them to wear a name badge to jog our memories. We played games like Jenga and Twister with them and tried to make them feel at home and to set an example of balancing academic studies and spiritual fervour with taking time to have fun together.   And of course, these were not the only times we had fun with the students. Our annual Christmas concerts, preceded by a traditional Christmas dinner where faculty members served the students, were hilarious times together when we learned things about each other that would never be learnt in the classroom. Which was also true of the occasion I challenged the winner of the student table tennis competition and, to the delight of the students, narrowly lost by two games to one.   But if such activities might not normally be considered as pastoral care, they were certainly helpful in forming relationships, which is surely a prerequisite of pastoral care providing at least some understanding of the person you are caring for. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that these activities were clearly not enough for us to form a significant relationship with students that would last throughout their time with us at Mattersey.   And that's where we began to realise afresh the value of team ministry. We knew already from pastoral life in church that an individual member might well relate better to one leader rather than another, and it was just the same in College. This was particularly true of the girls, many of whom, quite understandably, related better to Eileen than to me. In fact, so did some of the boys!   As Principal I was ultimately responsible in maintaining discipline in the College which, for some at least, might have inhibited too close a relationship with me. And Eileen as matron was more easily available and did a great job in lending a listening ear, giving wise counsel to all who came to her.   But as the College grew we began to feel the need to provide a facility for pastoral care that was readily available to every student with clear information on how to access it. We began by appointing a personal tutor for every student. This responsibility was shared by every full-time member of faculty and appeared to be successful until it became clear that it wasn't working for everyone. Some students did not feel able to share their personal problems with the people who would be marking their academic work, and although the fear that it might affect their grades was in my view unfounded, it was clear that we needed to think again.   What's more I soon discovered that other Bible Colleges were facing similar problems. I learnt at a meeting of the Association of Bible College Principals that to overcome this problem some colleges were considering appointing chaplains who were not part of the regular teaching faculty to be available to give confidential advice to students and, after discussing the matter with the resident faculty and the Board of Governors, we decided to do the same at Mattersey.   We decided to appoint former students who had both experience in ministry and understood what it was like to be one of our students. Our first chaplain was Roy Turner who did an excellent job for a few years until he left us to train for the Anglican ministry despite my efforts to dissuade him. Roy was followed by Steven Jenkins, another former student, who shared the chaplaincy with his wife Deborah so that the girls could have access to a female chaplain if they so desired.   This arrangement worked well and by no means detracted from the relationship that those of us had who were part of the faculty. Until she retired in 1999 students continued to seek advice from Eileen and other staff members, and there was always the opportunity for faculty to have a chat with students in the lunch break or between lectures.  So overall we enjoyed a friendly relationship with our students, but that did not mean that there was never a need for discipline.   Discipline A happy relationship in any society is dependent on mutual consideration and respect. Jesus taught this when he said: In everything do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12).   When I started as Principal I naively thought that there would be little need for rules. If everyone behaved as mature Christian ladies or gentlemen rules would not be necessary. I soon discovered that I was mistaken! Our students came from such a wide variety of backgrounds. They came from different families, different nations, different cultures. They had very different ideas about what was appropriate behaviour. And when you're all living under the same roof in a remote country village, there are bound to be problems unless clear guidance is given as to what is acceptable behaviour.   So, as a result, we produced a set of rules which I explained to the students at the beginning of the College year. They covered a range of topics including attendance at chapel, lectures, meals etc., and especially relationships with the opposite sex. (Same sex relationships were rarely an issue in those days). Most of the students accepted these regulations without complaint, but one overseas student refused to do so and chose to leave College immediately.   I had no regrets about this but decided that in future we would send all new students a copy of our rules and say that their acceptance at College was dependent on their agreement to abide by them. This we continued to do throughout my time as Principal. It may have had the disadvantage of giving some students the impression that we were becoming too legalistic, but more mature students realised the line had to be drawn somewhere and that our rules were not unreasonable.   Perhaps the main exception to this was with regard to relationships with the opposite sex. A situation arose early on in my time at Mattersey when one of the girls who had formed a relationship with another student was devastated when the boy suddenly terminated the relationship. She was so upset that she felt unable to return to College to complete her course.   As a result one member of faculty who knew the girl very well suggested that it was time for us to make some ruling that would stop such things happening. This was clearly impossible, but I did realise that we had a responsibility to protect the vulnerable as much as we could. This resulted in a series of regulations including things like not forming a relationship during your first six months at College, informing your personal tutor when a relationship had been formed, and so on.   The fact that we felt the need to vary these regulations over the years in an attempt to improve them shows that none of them were entirely satisfactory and in some cases did more harm than good. Towards the end of my time at Mattersey I apologised to a couple for the distress these regulations had caused them when, in their final year at College, they came to me and confessed that they had formed a secret relationship two years previously and had been feeling guilty about it ever since. I know the fault was partly theirs, but I really wondered if we had made a mistake in the first place by possibly overreacting to the situation I described earlier. And anyway, there's no point in making a rule if you have no reasonable means of enforcing it.   So, looking back on it, I'm not sure that we always got it right, but right or wrong our motive was always to do what we felt was best for the College community as a whole and I am grateful to all our Senior Students who played a great part in informing me of student opinion and, where necessary, reminding their fellow students of what was expected of them as men and women preparing to serve the Lord Jesus.   Finally, I hope that the way we handled these matters showed the students the importance of discipline and the spirit in which it is exercised. Church leaders in the New Testament were described as both rulers and servants following the example of Christ who, though he was Lord and ruler of all, took upon himself the role of a servant and washed his disciples' feet. He taught by example, and nothing we say is of any value if it is not backed by the example we set. But that brings me to the subject of teaching.       Teaching We usually associate the subject of teaching with what goes on in the classroom, and there was certainly plenty of that at Mattersey. There is, of course, less opportunity in the classroom to form relationships with individuals, especially when the class is large and the teaching method is the lecture.   I well remember in my first term at Oxford an Economics lecture attended by over 200 students. In something of a monotone, the lecturer read what he had written and there was no opportunity to ask questions at the end. In those days attendance at lectures was not compulsory and a week later student numbers had diminished considerably.   I stopped going after the third lecture and was not surprised when it was announced on the College noticeboard that the series of lectures had been cancelled ‘due to an indisposition'! Needless to say, my relationship with that lecturer amounted to zero. There were clearly three reasons for this. The lecturer had inadequate communication skills, the class was too large, and there was no opportunity to ask questions.   Fortunately, at Mattersey all our lecturers were able communicators, and although at times our class sizes were larger than ideal, there was usually time for questions. I personally have always preferred to take questions at the end to ensure that I have covered all the material necessary. In fact, very often students who have wanted to ask a question earlier have discovered that the question was answered later in my lecture.   However, at whatever point of the lecture questions are invited, the value in doing so is undeniable. It not only gives the student the opportunity to get clarification on anything they have not understood but also helps the lecturer to understand a little more about the student, their personality, their needs, their aspirations and their concerns. Not to mention their level of intelligence!   And of course, the answer to a question can benefit not only the student who asks it, but potentially the whole class. What's more, valuable lessons may be learned from the way the question is answered as much as from the answer itself. At a recent EPTA conference I was delighted to meet up with a former College student who told me that although he was grateful for all I had taught him at Mattersey, the most valuable lesson he had learned was from the way in which I had answered a particular question.   He told me that on one occasion another student had asked a ridiculous question at which he and the rest of the class were groaning inwardly. Had he been asked the same question he would have dismissed it very quickly, possibly ridiculing the person who had asked it. Young people, even Christian young people, can be very unkind at times and Mattersey students were no exception. But apparently I had treated the student with respect, as I have always tried to do, despite the stupidity of the question. I confess I was greatly moved to hear this and am reminded that people learn more from our lives than from anything else.   So teaching at Mattersey was by no means confined to the classroom. I had valuable conversations with students when we were travelling together in my car or in the College coach. And of course, there were our Wednesday morning chapel services, which were longer than on other days, and when a member of faculty or a guest speaker would preach. Students could see us in a different mode than in the classroom and I'm sure they were learning, often without realising it from the example we set.   I was once preaching at an EPTA conference in Erzhausen, Germany, when I noticed that Don Smeaton, a colleague from another college, was quietly making comments to a young man beside him. After the meeting he came and apologised in case he had distracted me, but he was giving the young man who was one of his students a lesson in Homiletics using me as a model!   We do learn by watching and that's why it's so important that church leaders set a good example in these things, whether it be in preaching, or the exercise of spiritual gifts, or how they pray for people to be healed or receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Students often received the baptism under my ministry, either privately or in the chapel or classroom. And on one occasion a student listened to my teaching, watched me put it into practice in the classroom and, following my example, that evening saw several young people filled with the Spirit as he laid hands on them during the youth meeting.   I am so grateful to God for the great privilege I have had in playing a part in training and preparing so many such people who are now leaders in the church today. It is my sincere prayer that they will train others following the principles I have outlined in this talk. The precise details of how we did are not so important, but the principles taught in God's word will never change.   Next time: Life beyond the Mattersey Campus

Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the challenging texts for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost (September 7, 2025). This Rally Sunday episode tackles some of the most difficult discipleship passages in Scripture, including Jesus' radical call to "hate" family in Luke 14:25-33 and the powerful "choose life" message from Deuteronomy 30. The hosts explore what it truly means to count the cost of discipleship, examining Jesus' hyperbolic language about hating family members and giving up all possessions. They discuss how these challenging texts might actually be good news for believers, especially as congregations gather for the new program year. The discussion includes practical insights for preachers preparing Rally Sunday sermons, exploring how these texts speak to commitment, community formation, and the transformative nature of following Jesus. Commentaries for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-23-3/commentary-on-luke-1425-33-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007. Subscribe for weekly episodes and find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rNM0-lfyQQk.

Welcome to "I Love to Tell the Story," the podcast exploring the Narrative Lectionary! In this episode for September 14th, 2025, Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis tackle one of the most challenging and theologically rich stories in the Bible: The Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). Join us as we dive deep into this difficult passage, exploring: * Why Jews call it the "binding of Isaac" while Christians call it the "sacrifice of Isaac" * The theological significance of God's promises to Abraham * How different religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) interpret this story * The rich Hebrew literary techniques that make this narrative so powerful * Connections to the Gospel of John and Good Friday traditions * Practical approaches for preaching this challenging text Our hosts provide historical context, discuss rabbinic interpretations, and offer insights into how this ancient story speaks to questions of faith, trust, and relationship with God. Whether you're a preacher preparing for Sunday or simply interested in biblical interpretation, this episode offers valuable perspectives on one of Scripture's most profound narratives.

My Story   Talk 24 Developing the curriculum and choosing the faculty Welcome to Talk 24 where I'm reflecting on God's goodness to me throughout my life. Last time I was talking about all the improvements we were able to make to the campus at Mattersey. We were, of course, grateful to the Lord for these improvements, especially for the provision of sufficient finances to build the new hall of residence and the beautiful new Chapel and classrooms. But these were never an end in themselves. They were the means to an end. Their purpose was to facilitate the training and education of men and women to understand the Bible and to become more effective servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.   But even more important than the erection of buildings was the development of the curriculum and the choosing of the faculty. And to do that it was first necessary to determine our aims and objectives. What follows is taken from one of our early college prospectuses. If the terminology sounds a little old-fashioned today, please remember that it's now almost half a century since I first wrote them. The NIV had only just been published and much of our preaching was based on the text of the Authorised Version (KJV) of the Bible.   But even if the language might need updating, I believe that these aims and objectives would still be highly appropriate for any pentecostal or charismatic Bible college today and would form an excellent basis for its curriculum. They should certainly be the goal of every local church!   Aims and Objectives The general purpose of the college is to train men and women for Christian service at home and overseas. This training involves not only the imparting of a comprehensive theological education but also emphasises the development of Christian character and spiritual growth.   Because the college takes a positive stand for the authority and inspiration of Holy Scripture, its aims are essentially biblical. They may be summarised as follows:   1.     That opportunity might be given to those who are called to the work of the ministry to fulfil the will of Christ that his servants should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach (Mark 3:14). 2.     That through their ministry the gospel might be preached to every creature (Mark 16:15) and that disciples might be made of all nations (Matthew 28:19). 3.     That the gospel might be preached with signs following (Mark 16:20) and the churches be established in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4). 4.     That God's servants might be able always to give a reason for the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3: 15) and to speak the things which become sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). 5.     That God's workmen might be approved unto God, being able rightly to divide the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15) and to contend earnestly for the faith once for all time delivered to the saints (Jude 3). 6.     That God's people might come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and that each individual part of his body might so function in its proper order that the church will make edification of itself in love (Ephesians 4:13-16). 7.     That the word of God may be entrusted to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). 8.     That those who seek to love God with all their heart and soul might also love him with all their mind (Matthew 22:37). 9.     That the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit might be manifested in the lives of all God's people (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Galatians 5:22-23). 10.That the church which is the bride of Christ might be ready and prepared for his coming (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11: 2; Revelation 19:9, 21-22). Developing the curriculum In using the word curriculum, I am referring to the entire College programme, not just the academic timetable. This included worship in chapel five mornings a week, weekly student prayer groups, days of prayer at least once a term, and church on Sundays with opportunities for students to sing, testify or preach, as invited by the local pastors.   We experienced some wonderful times of blessing, particularly in our Wednesday morning Chapel services, which were longer than on the other days and where the resident faculty and staff were present as well as all the students. It was the spiritual life of the College that provided the inspiration and motivation for the academic discipline of study in the classroom.   But there was, of course, plenty of inspiration in the classroom too. That derived from the quality of our teaching staff – more of which in a moment – and the subject matter of the courses most of which were directly related to the Bible, the inspired word of God.  Of course, the structure of the timetable varied over the 27 years I was Principal, but the underlying principles remained the same. What follows is just an example of what we were offering towards the end of my time as Principal. Courses available included:               Certificate in Biblical Studies (One Year)             Diploma in Biblical Studies (Two Years)             BA in Biblical Theology (Three Years)   and for suitable candidates who completed all three years we also awarded our             Diploma in Christian Ministry.   In addition to all this we were also validated to award an             MA in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies which was a part-time two-year course. This was much appreciated by people already in church leadership some of whom had no formally recognised theological qualification. This was only possible because we had sufficient faculty members who had earned a Ph.D. But, without question, our most important course for people who wanted a thorough preparation for Christian ministry was our three-year B.A. in Biblical Theology combined with our Diploma in Christian Ministry. Over the three years these included teaching on the following   YEAR ONE Bible Survey, Hermeneutics and Homiletics, Evangelism, Care and Counselling, Christian Doctrine, Christian Leadership, Church History Survey, Children's and Youth Work, Other Faiths, and New Testament Greek. (For those who did not opt for Greek, there were special courses on the English Language, John's Gospel, and Luke/Acts).   YEAR TWO O.T. General, N.T. Christian Origins, Early Church History, The Holy Spirit, Mark in Greek, Christian Apologetics, Christian Ethics, 1 Corinthians in English, Romans in English, Anthropology, Hebrew, Media Work, Church Planting.   YEAR THREE O.T. Theology, N.T. Theology, Pentecostal Distinctives (The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Divine Healing), History of Revival, Philosophy of Religion, John in Greek, Hebrew Set Texts, Christian Missions, Ecclesiology, Youth Work, Pastoral Training.   But no matter what course we provided, our aims and objectives remained the same throughout. Any qualification gained was never intended as an end in itself. Personally, I saw my own academic qualifications rather like the apostle Paul saw his Roman citizenship. He certainly would not glory in it. It meant nothing compared with the excellency of knowing Christ, but he wasn't afraid to make use of it when appropriate (Acts 22:25-28).   I knew that the success of the curriculum could only be measured by the extent to which its aims and objectives were being fulfilled in the lives of the students. And that could certainly not be accomplished by academic learning alone. Our students were accepted on this understanding. Any academic achievement they might gain would be a bonus. Their primary motivation must be a sense of calling, a desire to serve Jesus.   Choosing the faculty And, of course, our biblical aims and objectives so important to the development of our curriculum were equally relevant to the choosing of those who would be teaching its courses. They must not only be in agreement with our AoG Statement of Faith but also be people of experience in the work of God and have a divine anointing to teach. Academic ability in itself was not enough. I had had enough experience at Oxford where some of those teaching no doubt had great academic ability, but whose communication skills left much to be desired!   But of course, however great your ability to communicate, you need to know what you're talking about! I have listened too often to people with great communication skills preaching absolute nonsense! Even in some national and international conferences! So our choice of faculty was influenced by the need to find people who believed the Bible, were filled with the Spirit, knew their subject, and had a God-given ability to teach it.   And that meant the ability, not to make simple things sound difficult, but to make difficult things easy to understand. I think the greatest compliment I was ever paid about my preaching came from old George Hurt when he said to me, The thing I like about your preaching, Pastor, is that you never say anything I can't understand.   And if Eileen were still with us, she would readily confirm that wherever we went people would say the same. I am so grateful to God for that ability. I did not learn it. It was just the way he made me. But not just me. It's the true evidence of the ministry of every teacher, and I'm so grateful for those the Lord sent to work alongside me endowed with a similar gifting.   I have already mentioned Ernest and Joan Anderson who moved back into pastoral ministry in 1980 and John Carter who died at Mattersey in 1981 and their significant contribution to the life of the College. After their departure I was so pleased that Colin Warner, who had started with us as a visiting lecturer, accepted the invitation to come to us in a full-time capacity as our Director of Studies in 1980 and saddened by his decision to leave us in 1983.   Colin, who is now with the Lord, was a gifted man with great academic ability and did much in those early years to steer us towards a more academic curriculum. His decision to leave arose from a difference of opinion between us and I am aware that I could probably have handled things better. However, I'm glad to record that he went on to a fruitful ministry in the Coventry assembly and as a lecturer at Birmingham Bible Institute. A few years later we also worked happily together on the AoG Executive Council.   David and Beryl Allen joined us in September 1983 and faithfully served the College throughout my principalship, retiring in 2005, a year after me. Beryl taught the first-year English course and as College Librarian did a great job in turning what had previously been little more than a collection of books into a well organised and properly classified library. Towards the end of her time she was assisted by Anne Dyer, who caried on the great work after Beryl retired.   Dave, as he preferred to be called, had, like Beryl, formerly been a schoolteacher before entering the AoG ministry. He taught a variety of subjects including Church History, his knowledge of which never ceased to amaze me. He later became the College Dean, taking the responsibility for matters of discipline. Dave is now with the Lord, but I, along with many generations of Mattersey students, have every reason to be grateful for the massive contribution he and Beryl made to the success of the College.   Colin Hurt also joined us in 1983. Colin and Julia had been AoG missionaries in Malaysia and, on hearing him preach, I instantly recognised a man with an outstanding teaching ministry. Colin had no formal theological qualifications, but, for that matter, neither had I! Julia had received a word from the Lord that I was going to invite him to teach in the College, so when I asked to see him he happily accepted and the served the College full-time from 1983-85 and again, after a few years back on the mission field, from 1988-93. He taught a wide variety of subjects and was greatly appreciated by students and both he and Julia, who assisted Eileen on the domestic side, were great assets to the life of the College.   William and Anthea Kay joined us in 1984. Eileen and I already had a strong relationship with William and Anthea because of the years we spent together in Basingstoke. My only reluctance in inviting them to come to Mattersey was that I wasn't sure if the Board of Governors would approve. Three things might count against William. He was a personal friend, and the appointment might look like favouritism. He was not an AoG minister, and he had a PhD which might be seen as a negative rather than a positive because of the anti-academic attitude of some of our ministers at the time.    But the Lord encouraged me with a verse in Isaiah which lit up for me as I was praying about William: I have called him, I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission. So I shared my concerns with the Board and was delighted to hear George Forrester, the chairman, say, Well brothers, I think that if David feels that we should appoint this brother, we should do so and the Board unanimously agreed.   Anthea ran the College's Correspondence Course Department for several years and William taught a variety of courses until his departure in 1994 to a post with the University of Wales. But his main contribution to the College was his firsthand knowledge of Higher Education, his personal encouragement to me to do an MTh and then a PhD, and his help in enabling us to get accreditation for our BA in Biblical Theology. He went on to help other Pentecostal colleges across Europe and beyond to gain similar accreditation and did indeed succeed in the mission to which God had called him.   The next member of faculty to join us full-time was Vernon Ralphs who served as Director of Studies from 1986 until his retirement in 2000. Along with those I have already mentioned, Vernon was a key player in helping the College upgrade its academic programme. He also had a clear prophetic edge prophesying in 1986 that within three years the Iron Curtain that divided Eastern Europe from the West would be removed, and it was of course in 1989 that the Berlin Wall was broken down.   Teaching staff who joined us full-time late on included Richard Davis, Glenn Balfour, Andrew Davies, Dave Garrard, and Robin Routledge.   Richard Davis replaced Brian Quar as Bursar but also taught some of our courses after he had completed our MA in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies. He served the College from 1994 until some time after I retired.   Glenn Balfour and Andrew Davies were both former students who had taken our London BD course back in the eighties. They had gone on to acquire Master's degrees and eventually PhDs in Theology. They started to lecture part-time in 1994 and in 2000 took up permanent posts with us. They continued to serve well beyond my principalship, Glenn becoming Principal for a short period and Andrew a Professor at Birmingham University.   Dave and Ruth Garrard were Canadians who served as missionaries in Africa. They came to Mattersey in 1996, Ruth working with Eileen on the domestic side, and Dave, who had a PhD relating to Missions, bringing fresh insights on the subject and teaching a variety of other courses too. He was still teaching at Mattersey when I left.   And finally, at about the same time, Robin Routledge joined the faculty. A local Baptist minister with a charismatic experience and a PhD in Old Testament Studies, Robin was a highly valued member of our team and eventually became full-time during Paul Alexander's time as principal.   But of course the full-time faculty, important as they were, were by no means the only reason for the success of the College. Over the years there were many visiting lecturers, as well as various chaplains, secretaries, cook supervisors, kitchen and domestic staff, gardeners, and maintenance engineers. These all got a mention in my final report to Conference in April 2004 the text of which I will include in a later talk. For now, it is enough to say that I will always be profoundly grateful to all concerned for their contribution, however great or small. As I have often said, We could not have done it without you.  

Welcome to the first episode of the new Narrative Lectionary year (Year 4)!  Join hosts Rolf Jacobson and Kathryn Schifferdecker, along with special guest Karoline Lewis, a homiletics and New Testament expert, as they dive deep into Genesis 1 and its connections to John's Gospel. In this episode, we explore: * The poetic structure and litany format of Genesis 1 * The relational nature of God's "goodness" in creation * The image of God and what it means for humanity * Connections between Genesis creation and John's prologue * The significance of Sabbath as a "sanctuary in time" * Practical preaching ideas for a fall sermon series Karoline Lewis brings her expertise in John's Gospel to illuminate the connections between "In the beginning" in Genesis and "In the beginning was the Word" in John 1. We discuss how both texts reveal God's fundamental character as creator and God's commitment to relationship with creation. Perfect for preachers, seminary students, and anyone interested in biblical narrative and lectionary preaching.

Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson on Sermon Brainwave as they explore the readings for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost (August 24, 2025). This episode dives deep into Luke 13:10-17, the powerful story of Jesus healing a woman with a crooked back on the Sabbath - a healing that's really about liberation and freedom. The hosts unpack the unique aspects of this healing story, including why the woman is called a "daughter of Abraham" (the only time this phrase appears in Luke), what it means that she's "set free" rather than simply "healed," and how this story challenges our assumptions about bodies, health, and spiritual freedom. They also explore the Sabbath debate and how Jesus operates firmly within Jewish tradition while expanding our understanding of what the Sabbath is truly for. Additional readings discussed include Isaiah 58:9b-14 (or Jeremiah 1:4-10 for semi-continuous readings), Psalm 103:1-8, and Hebrews 12:18-29. The conversation touches on themes of liberation theology, biblical interpretation, prophetic calling, and the pastoral care embedded in challenging theological concepts. Commentaries for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-21-3/commentary-on-luke-1310-17-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007. Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ZIfjXXNjzGI.

Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the lectionary readings for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost (August 17, 2025). In this episode, they explore the challenging theme of division that Jesus brings, not as his goal, but as an inevitable result of following his way. Our hosts unpack Luke 12:49-56, where Jesus speaks of bringing fire rather than peace, and discuss how this passage connects to the realities of following Christ today. Whether you're a preacher preparing for Sunday or someone seeking a deeper understanding of these challenging texts, this conversation offers thoughtful biblical interpretation and practical wisdom for navigating the complexities of faith in community. Commentaries for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-20-3/commentary-on-luke-1249-56-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/P4na2z2CK_c. Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, your trusted source for preaching resources since 2007.

Join Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for another episode of Sermon to Brainwave as they dive deep into the lectionary texts for August 10th, 2025. In this episode, our hosts explore the rich connections between Genesis 15:1-6 (Abraham's covenant and the promise to count the stars), Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 (God's call for justice over empty worship), Psalm 33:12-22, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (faith as a journey without a round trip), and Luke 12:32-40 (the little flock, treasure, and watchful servants). Whether preparing a sermon or simply wanting to go deeper into Scripture, this episode offers fresh insights and practical applications. Commentaries for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-19-3/commentary-on-luke-1232-40-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/t1Ds7ijdNb0.

The Rich Fool, Ecclesiastes, and Finding True Wealth. Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the challenging texts for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (August 3rd, 2025). This episode explores Luke's parable of the rich fool, examining what this wealthy man actually did wrong and why Jesus calls him "fool" rather than "sinner." The hosts tackle tough questions about wealth, possessions, and what it means to be "rich toward God." They discuss how the parable connects to our modern struggles with storage units, financial security, and the subtle ways greed can creep into our lives - even when we're just trying to be responsible. The conversation also explores the challenging pairing of this text with Ecclesiastes, examining the wisdom literature's perspective on vanity (Hebrew: hevel - like smoke or vapor) and the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. Plus, they delve into the beautiful poetry of Hosea 11, where God's parental love and tender compassion shine through despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Commentaries for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-18-3/commentary-on-luke-1213-21-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/OUArBuV3u2g.

Seminaries teach hermeneutics — but do their preaching courses follow the same rules? In this episode, I explore the disconnect between biblical interpretation and sermon preparation, and ask: when does faithful exposition go off the rails — in the classroom, or the pulpit?

Seminaries teach hermeneutics — but do their preaching courses follow the same rules? In this episode, I explore the disconnect between biblical interpretation and sermon preparation, and ask: when does faithful exposition go off the rails — in the classroom, or the pulpit?

Preaching for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nina Santos Laubach offers a reflection being peace makers in an uncertain world and church: "Our Gospel today is asking us to cross thresholds as peacemakers. A threshold is a boundary, a liminal moment where we experience crises, decisions, or change. And our task as peace-makers is to offer the possibility in these moments for Shalom, for restoration of wholeness, for fullness of humanity."Nina Santos Laubach is pursuing a Ph.D. in Practical Theology and Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary. Her doctoral interests focus on sacramentality within the Catholic imagination and how it is expressed in homilies and preaching for the contemporary church. She lives with her husband and two teenage children at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where she serves as an accompanist, liturgist, preacher and mentor for the Catholic community.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/07062025 to learn more about Nina, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the lectionary texts for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (July 6, 2025). This episode explores the fascinating dynamics of Jesus sending out the seventy disciples in Luke 10, where traditional concepts of hospitality get flipped upside down. The hosts bring their trademark blend of scholarly insight, practical preaching wisdom, and occasional humor as they wrestle with these ancient texts and their relevance for today's church. Whether you're a preacher preparing for Sunday or someone interested in deeper biblical engagement, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on mission, community, and the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. Commentaries for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-14-3/commentary-on-luke-101-11-16-20-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007. Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/g4h9ZLyfUlQ.

What if the Trinity isn't about doctrine but about God's desire to be known? Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson live from the Festival of Homiletics 2025 in Atlanta as they unpack the lectionary texts for Holy Trinity Sunday (June 15, 2025). From Proverbs to Psalm 8 to Romans and John, they explore how the Trinity makes God visible in wisdom, creation, and love—not as an explanation, but as an experience. Commentaries for the Holy Trinity Sunday can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/the-holy-trinity-3/commentary-on-john-1612-15-6. *  *  * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/FonUCOudo94.

Brian is joined remotely by Dr. Thurman Williams to discuss the importance of sound preaching and some of their favorite pastoral influences. Dr. Williams is the director of homiletics at Covenant Theological Seminary and is the pastor at New City Fellowship - West End in St. Louis, Missouri. LMPC looks forward to hosting Dr. Williams for the 2025 George Long Preaching Series on June 29th where he will preach the morning (9:30am and 11:00am) and evening (6:00pm) worship services.Host: Brian SalterSpecial Guest: Dr. Thurman WilliamsProducer: Ben WingardMusic arranged by David Henry and performed by David Henry and Hannah Lutz.To contact Pillar & Ground or to submit a question that you would like to hear addressed on a future episode, please email podcast@lmpc.org. 

Recorded live in Kampala, Uganda, this episode features a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation on the practice of church leadership in a variety of contexts. Pastors from Calvary Chapel and Baptist traditions come together to address anonymous audience questions on everything from altar calls to tongues, from tithing to women in ministry, and from spiritual gifts to church planting proximity.With grace, humour, and biblical grounding, panelists explore:When (and why) to invite a public response after a sermonWhether Christians are cursed if they don't titheWhat spiritual gifts look like in different church culturesWhy some churches do not ordain women as pastorsHow to teach clearly about demons in spiritually sensitive culturesAnd the wisdom of planting churches near existing onesYou'll hear personal stories, pastoral insight, and moments of sharp theological clarity - all shaped by the lived experience of ministry in Uganda and beyond.Featuring:Eric Lockheart, lecturer and administrator at Uganda Baptist Seminary. He holds an MDiv in Christian Ministry and a ThM in Applied Theology, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC). Eric served as a pastor in the USA for 14 years before moving with his wife and four sons to Uganda in 2018 to serve under the IMB Baptist Mission. He loves teaching Hermeneutics and Homiletics, and enjoys sports, reading, fishing, and time with his family.James Senyonjjo Okurut, lecturer at Uganda Baptist Seminary since 2020, with over 20 years of ministry experience. He holds a BA from Makerere University (specialising in Communication), a BTh from UBS, and is pursuing a Master's from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.Zeddie Muzungu, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kampala and Director of Calvary Chapel Bible College Uganda. He is passionate about teaching God's Word and training future church leaders. He is married to Hope Muzungu.Ed Compean, lead pastor of Shoreline Calvary in Morro Bay, California. He previously served in Nairobi, Kenya, as a church planter and coach to emerging leaders, and is actively involved with the Cultivate Church Planting Initiative of Calvary Global Network.Join Mike Neglia and Brian Kelly at the upcoming CGN Ministry Conference June 22-25, 2025 This conference is designed for church leaders and their ministry teams to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Dive deep into John 13–17, The Upper Room Discourse, with our main session speakers, and attend workshops led by experienced leaders in key areas such as Lead and Senior Pastors, Executive and Associate Pastors, Women in Ministry, Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Worship, Small Groups and Care Leaders, Tech Teams, Administration, and Lay Leaders. Whether you're a pastor, ministry worker, or volunteer, this event is for your whole team. Join us for an inspiring time of learning, fellowship, and renewed vision for the work God has called us to!For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollectiveDonate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Sermon Brainwave! This week, our hosts Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson dive deep into the lectionary texts for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (May 11, 2025)—including John 10:22-30, Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, and Revelation 7:9-17—with a special focus on Good Shepherd Sunday. We've all heard the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but what if your understanding of that metaphor is incomplete—or even "lame," as the hosts boldly say? What if the image of shepherd is not just pastoral comfort, but a royal claim, a radical act of intimacy, and a call to relationship?

Tara is joined by Christina Gordon to discuss the 2025 Festival of Homiletics. They explore themes of connection, spiritual centering, and healing through faith and community. Christina shares her journey and insights about promoting faith narratives through the festival. They also discuss the importance of renewal for faith leaders and some actionable tips for church workers looking to participate in the event. The episode features a Celtic Daily Prayer meditation, personal stories, and an uplifting blessing for listeners.Send Tara a Text MessageThe Balance of GrayGod, doubt, and proof walk into a podcast... it goes better than you'd expect!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showRev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary's Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America). She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

Welcome to I Love to Tell the Story, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary from Luther Seminary's Working Preacher. In this episode, Professors Rolf Jacobson, Jennifer Pietz, and Lois Malcolm explore the powerful and provocative story of Stephen from Acts 6 and 7.

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Jerusha Neal, who is Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Duke Divinity School and the author of Holy Ground: Climate Change, Preaching, and the Apocalypse of Place (published by Baylor University Press). In this conversation we talk about climate-informed homiletics and specifically what Dr. Neal gleaned from indigenous preaching that others can learn and incorporate into their preaching.Use the code 17PROMO for 20% off! Team members on the episode from The Two Cities includes: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Grace Emmett. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 10, 2025 | Rev. David Ward Rev. David Ward, adjunct faculty in Homiletics and director of the Compelling Preaching Initiative at...

Preaching for Ash Wednesday, Dr. Jessie Thomas offers a reflection on living each day as Ash Wednesday:"While the Lenten journey only lasts for weeks, our journey of life is forever. Every day is an opportunity to ask for God's forgiveness. Every day you and I must be an outward sign of our faith as well as an expression of our repentance..."Dr. Jessie Thomas is a Lay Pastoral Theologian in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She holds a master's degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Athenaeum of Ohio and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology St. Louis University. Dr. Thomas has served as adjunct faculty for the Diaconate Office in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati teaching Homiletics. She is also a regular presenter and guest preacher throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03052025 to learn more about Dr. Thomas, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

 The McGrath Institute for Church Life, together with the John S. and Virginia Marten Program in Homiletics and Liturgics, is hosting a homily contest on preaching the Blessed Virgin Mary. We invite ordained Catholic bishops, priests, and deacons to submit a five-to-seven-minute homily (in either English or Spanish) for one of three Marian solemnities: the Annunciation (March 25), the Assumption (August 15), or the Immaculate Conception (December 8).Winning homilies will draw on a homiletic methodology that brings together careful treatment of Scripture (including the lectionary and the various propers of the Mass of the day) with a spiritual exegesis that unveils the meaning of the Marian feast for the lives of the faithful today. We have more information about this competition and means for submitting homilies in our show notes for this episode. Today on the show, Msgr. Michael Heintz of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and Notre Dame's Department of Theology joins me to talk about the craft of preaching, the importance of Mary in the life of the Church, and renewing the sacramental imagination of the faithful.  Follow-up Resources: Announcing the Preaching Mary Homiletic Competition. Submissions should be emailed to ndcl@nd.edu no later than March 25, 2025. The Marten Program at the University of Notre Dame.Reading Backwards: Figural Christology and the Fourfold Gospel Witness, by Richard B. Hays (mentioned in the episode)“On the Formation of Future Priest, with Msgr. Michael Heintz,” podcast episode via Church Life TodayChurch Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

For Black History Month, we are going back through the archives and listening to the voices of some of the incredible Black Women who have been on the show.Rev. Mahogany Thomas: A New Love Ethic“To know God in this moment is to be grounded in a love that surpasses us and that truly shifts how we interact with the world, and that then brings us hope and healing.”Transforming what she calls the “spiritual malpractice” of harmful theologies of sin, Rev. Mahogany redefines sin as the absence of love. Too often, the theology of sin has been used to abuse and oppress people - telling them they are inherently bad, inherently unlovable. Ultimately, it has been used by people in power to keep them in power. But by redefining sin as the absence of love, Rev. Mahogany invites us into a theology that leads us towards freedom, equity, and grace.About Rev. MahoganyRev. Mahogany S. Thomas is a native of Columbia, Missouri and an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. She has served churches around the country, from Connecticut to Chicago to San Francisco, and she has even preached in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.Rev. Thomas is a graduate of Yale Divinity School (YDS), where she received her Master of Divinity. Her scholarship at YDS included Homiletics, Womanist Theology, and Practical Theology at the intersections of the Black Church. She was the recipient of both the Andover Newton Seminary Diploma Program and Black Church Studies Certificate. Rev. Thomas received her Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and graduated summa cum laude. Her undergraduate studies focused on Religious Studies with an emphasis on sex and gender in the Christian tradition.In both her teaching and radical proclamation, Rev. Thomas is passionate about serving God and God's church. She brings gifts of administration, wisdom, and passion to her work. Ministry for Rev. Thomas is defined far beyond the pulpit as she believes in radiating the love of Jesus through both her joy and witness.Connect with us!Donate today and support our work!Sign up to receive a little Gospel in your inbox every Monday Morning with our weekly devotional.Join our FREE bookclubCheck out our website for various resources - including devotionals, journaling prompts, and even curriculumGet some Lady Preacher Podcast swag!Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook

On this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, we take a look at the history and legacy of Lutheran homiletics with guest Pastor Isaac Johnson. Isaac is the translator of Reinhold Pieper's Evangelical Lutheran Homiletics, available now on cph.org.  Show NotesListen now as host Elizabeth Pittman and guest Isaac Johnson talk discuss his translation of Reinhold Pieper's Evangelical Lutheran Homiletics, which offers a fuller understanding of the history of preaching within the LCMS as typified by C. F. W. Walther. Pieper, a student of Walther who would serve as a homiletics professor and president of Concordia Preachers' Seminary from 1891–1914, dissects the task of preaching from start to finish as inspired by the classic German homiletics textbook by J. J. Rambach. Isaac talks about who Reinhold Pieper was, historical context behind Pieper's writing, how Pieper has influenced his own work, and advice for pastors and the challenges they face in today's fast-paced world.  QuestionsWho was Reinhold Pieper?In the foreword, Dr. Adam Koontz writes Reinhold was “the heir of much and the preserver of more.” What motivated Reinhold to write this book, and what were the influences that he was working to preserve? How does this work reflect the influence of Reinhold's teacher, CFW Walther?How does this book complement Walther's Law and Gospel as a preaching guide?What was the historical context in which Pieper wrote this book? How did this context shape his approach to preaching?How was this book used at LCMS seminaries before the transition to English?Pieper emphasized “strictly textual” preaching. What does this mean, and why is it important?Walk us through Pieper's approach to sermon preparation.What does Pieper have to say about the preachers personal style, and how pastors can balance individuality with faithfulness to the text?How has Pieper influenced your own preaching? If you could ask him any questions about preaching in our modern context, what would you ask him?What advice might you expect Pieper to give to pastors today who are faced with the challenges of preaching in a highly digital and fast-paced world? About the Guest Isaac Johnson is the pastor of New Hope Lutheran Church in Charles City, Iowa. He is married to Kaite Johnson, and they have five children: Elise, Clara, Lyla, James, and Annie. Besides ministry and family, Johnson is involved in the translation of German and Latin, focusing on the field of early Missouri Synod homiletics. He is currently enrolled in the reduced-residency Ph.D. program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in the Culture and Theology department with an emphasis in homiletics. He enjoys preaching, reading aloud to his family, classical guitar, and choral music. 

In which Ethan and Jo talk about preaching and tips about reading the dense stuff in the work of Carl Michalson, a twentieth-century Methodist theologian with some cool ideas who died in a plane crash. Want to follow along with our reading? It's Worldly Theology, Chapter 11, which you can read here: https://archive.org/details/worldlytheologyh0000mich Find all things WTHIAP at wthiap.com.

Gael Chandler, based in Los Angeles, was nominated twice for a Cable Emmy for comedy editing and has trained hundreds of professionals on digital editing systems and students on editing systems, practices, and theory. Additionally, she taught editing practices and history at Loyola Marymount University and California State Universities at Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Northridge. She is the co-writer of the topic of the show, Scripting a Sermon. The Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan is Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. This year she is celebrating 25+ years of ordained ministry and the publication of a new book, Scripting a Sermon:Using the Wisdom of Filmmaking for Impactful Preaching (WJKP, 2024) co-authored with filmmaker, Gael Chandler. Scripting a sermon is a book for preachers encouraging them to look at and try the techniques film makers use to reach and impact audiences in creating their sermons. For more information about Carole Dean and From the Heart Productions please visit www.FromtheHeartProductions.com. 

To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God.'

Join us for Episode 4157 of Day1, featuring The Rev. Dr. Mark Andrew Jefferson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Howard University School of Divinity. In his sermon titled "What Have You Done?" Dr. Jefferson explores John 18:33-37, delving into the question Pilate asked Jesus and how it resonates in our lives today. Drawing from his expertise in preaching and theology, Dr. Jefferson provides profound insights on faith, power, and the mission of Christ in challenging times. Tune in for this inspiring message that calls us to reflect on our actions and testimony in light of Jesus' transformative work.

Brandon Nappi and Ned Parker discuss scriptural perspective, to whom we're giving our hearts, and perfect love in Mark 13:1-8. The text is appointed for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28, in Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary.More Yale Bible Study resources, including a transcript of this episode, at: https://YaleBibleStudy.org/podcastBrandon Nappi is Executive Director of Leadership Programs at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School. Ned Parker is Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement at Andover Newton Seminary at Yale and Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School.Connect with Yale Bible Study: Facebook: @YDSCCE Twitter: @BibleYale YouTube: youtube.com/c/YaleBibleStudy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/yds-center-for-continuing-education Thank you for listening!

We kick this week's show off with the State of Sciarappa address. Fr. Anthony lets us know how things have been going in his world: including being pastor for a week, lighting heavy things & more! Taylor shares a hot take about homilies that may stir the pot a little bit! It's a topic we all struggle with but often don't talk about. Then, they introduce a brand new game revolving around scripture memorization. How much do Catholics know about the Bible! We will find out as our two contestants take turn narrating famou Scripture passages while the other has to fill in the blanks. We hope you enjoy this hilarious new game! Play along and let us know how you did! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Brandon Nappi and Ned Parker discuss balance, grace, and being called to account in Hebrews 4:12-16. The text is appointed for the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, in Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary.More Yale Bible Study resources, including a transcript of this episode, at: https://YaleBibleStudy.org/podcastBrandon Nappi is Executive Director of Leadership Programs and Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School and Ned Parker is the former Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement at Andover-Newton Seminary at Yale and former Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School.Connect with Yale Bible Study: Facebook: @YDSCCE Twitter: @BibleYale YouTube: youtube.com/c/YaleBibleStudy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/yds-center-for-continuing-education Thank you for listening!

Send us a textHow does the laity influence the homily?  We dive deep into the essential role of the laity, drawing from pivotal documents like "Fulfilled in Your Hearing," "Preaching the Mystery of Faith," and "Evangelii Gaudium." We emphasize the preacher's responsibility to connect scripture with the lived experiences of their audience, ensuring that each homily resonates with the faithful inspiring them to live out the gospel in their daily lives.Authentic preaching requires clergy to truly understand their congregants' experiences. Hear how Father Jim Bacik sets a remarkable example by engaging with university professors, students, and community members to gather diverse insights. This chapter reflects on the broader role of the faithful as bearers of the prophetic spirit and stresses the need for humility and listening by the preacher. By balancing theological knowledge with an understanding of their congregation, priests and deacons can ensure their messages resonate meaningfully.Passion and preparation are crucial for impactful homilies. Discover varied preparation methods from praying with scriptures to rehearsing in the car, and learn the art of storytelling within a homily. We share personal anecdotes and influential sermons that have significantly impacted spiritual growth. Emphasizing brevity, authenticity, and finding one's unique voice, this episode offers practical advice on honing the craft of preaching, from feedback and collaboration to the emotional weight of love and commitment in scripture. Tune in to explore how dedicated and prepared clergy can shape and inspire their congregations.Church Search goes to St. Francis Xavier in Medina, OHReadings for this week can be found here

Todd Townshend is the 14th Bishop of The Diocese of Huron in the Anglican Church of Canada. He was Ordained to the diaconate on May 14, 1992, ordained to the priesthood on November 30, 1992, and Consecrated a Bishop and Installed as the 14th Bishop of Huron at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, ON on Saturday, January 25, 2020.Bishop Townshend has served in several London parishes. Townshend also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Huron University College between 2013 and 2019. Prior to assuming his role as Dean of the Faculty, Townshend taught at Huron University College since 2002 in a variety of roles including Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology and Associate Professor of Contextual Theology.

John Whittaker speaks about the need to hone our homiletical skills so that we can connect with our congregations as complicated individuals, rather than a block of abstract "listeners."  Homiletics is the study of how to effectively communicate the message of the Christian faith through preaching and teaching. It involves understanding the biblical texts, the needs and concerns of the audience, and the use of language and other communication techniques to convey the message in a way that is meaningful and impactful John Whittaker is a preacher, teacher and pastor. He holds theology and ministry degrees from Boise Bible College, Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and a doctorate in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - the only reason for all of that is to help bring God's word into the lives of people more effectively. John has been serving in ministry for 30 years. He has served as a Professor of Preaching and New Testament at Boise Bible College for 19 years. During that time, he also helped plant a church in Kuna, Idaho, where he led the adult education ministry and preached for 11 years. He has taught classes for Eternity Bible College and taught and preached in various places around the country and the world. Most recently, he served for nearly 4 years as one of the teaching and campus pastors at The Pursuit, in Boise and is currently on the preaching coaching team at Calvary Boise. You can learn more about John Whittaker at https://www.johnwhittaker.net/ Additional Resources: Listeners Bible Commentary: https://www.listenerscommentary.com/ The Listener's Commentary provides clear, accessible teaching through each book of the New Testament in audio format so you can learn and live the Bible.  Tucker Maile: https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2022/10/3/getting-your-sea-legs-and-finding-your-own-voice-with-tucker-maile  Douglas O'Donnell : https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2022/7/30/the-beauty-and-power-of-biblical-exposition-with-douglas-odonnell  Eric Cartier : https://www.expositorscollective.com/podcast/2021/12/7/sermon-prep-involves-time-work-and-prayer-eric-cartier Resources Mentioned:  Jim Wilson's message from earlier in the day https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/expository-preaching-enables-transformative-encounters-with-god-himself Wesley Towne's message from earlier in the day https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/the-journey-from-the-ancient-text-to-the-contemporary-culture Connect: Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com  The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/ Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

In this informative episode accomplished professor of Homiletics, Robert Jarvis, offers some basic tips on Bible Study.  

The first session of the lectures given by Dr Adam Koontz in October 2022 about homiletics at Trinity Lutheran Church in Denver, CO. Watch the rest of the lectures here Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Many thanks to our sponsors, Blessed Sacrament Lutheran Church in Hayden, ID, and Luther Classical College Dr Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Send us a Text Message.What does it mean to be a spiritual leader for young adults? The Rev. Dr. Neichelle R. Guidry, the Dean of Sisters Chapel at Spelman College, brings her rich, ecumenical background to the table, sharing how her diverse religious experiences inform her inclusive ministry. Dr. Guidry and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the expansive love of Jesus Christ and how it goes hand in hand with relational presence and proximity. Dr. Guidry opens up about the challenges she encounters when ministering to young adults and underscores the value of embracing a wide spectrum of spiritual beliefs in an academic setting. Listen in for the full conversation. The Rev. Dr. Neichelle R. Guidry (she/her/hers) is a highly sought-after teacher, preacher, leader and commentator. Dr. Guidry currently serves as the Dean of the Chapel and the Director of the WISDOM Center at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. A womanist homiletician and practitioner, she is the author of Curating a World: Sermonic Words from a Young Woman Who Preaches.She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University (BA) and Yale Divinity School (M.Div.), where she was the 2010 recipient of the Walcott Prize for Clear and Effective Public and Pulpit Speaking, and the 2019 recipient of the William Sloane Coffin Alumni Award for Peace and Justice. She is also a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Liturgical Studies, Homiletics concentration). Her dissertation was entitled, “Towards a Womanist Homiletical Theology for Subverting Rape Culture.” She is a member of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, the MLK Jr. International Chapel Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Learn more about Dr. Guidry at www.revneichelle.comSupport the Show. Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Topics: Sermons, Preaching, Romans 10:14-15, How Will They Call on Him In Whom They've Not Believed, In Whom They've Never Heard About, How Will they Hear Without Preaching, How Beautiful Are the Feet of Those Who Preach the Gospel, Pastor Preaching Sermon, Pastor Isn't in Romans, Gatherings Isn't in Romans, Preach Means to Speak, Romans 10 Is About Unbelieving Jews, Needed to Hear About Jesus, Someone Giving Sermons Because It Says Preach, What Does Preach Mean If Not Sermon, To Speak, Not One Time Do We See Pastors Preach in the Bible Nor Give a Sermon, The Word Sermon Not in the Bible, Sermon on the Mount, Sermons Common Because of Tsunami-Like Force of Man-Made Tradition, Jesus and Paul Warned Against Tradition of Men, Only Follow Traditions From Us, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Following Tradition of Church Fathers and Reformers, Can't Know Anything About God Without Sermon, Remove Sermons and Church Is a Bunch Singing and Money Collecting, Even All the Chairs are Pointed Toward the Man Giving Oration, Error Practiced for Half a Millennium, “Best Part” of Church Service, Subjective Monologue Which Inspires or Scares, Sermons Why Most Christians Go to Church, People Think Sermons Are What The Sinners Need to Hear to Get Straightened Out, What If Sermons Never Mentions the Gospel, Judge Church Service by How Sermon Went, Sermon Was Great, Sermon Convicted Me Of My Sin, Sermon Wasn't For Me, Didn't Get Anything Out of the Sermon, Can't Know Anything About God Without Hearing Weekly Monologue, Preaching and Teaching in Bible but Not Sermons, Preaching and Teaching Always About Jesus and the Gospel, Women and Donkeys Speak More than Pastors in Scripture, Men and Women Preach, Early Church Fathers and Reformers Said Women Must Shut Up and are not Valuable, Preaching in Bible Always Addressing Circumstances, Interjection Was Always Involved, Jesus Never Gave Sermons but Preached Informally, Apostles Preached in Acts but Was Sporadic and Never Called Sermon, They Didn't Preach Sermons at the Temple but Evangelized the Unbelieving Jews, Apostles Invited to Speak but Interjection Happened not a Sermon, Interactions Responses and Dialogue, Dialogical not Monological, 2 Timothy 4:2, Preach the Word, Timothy Not Pastor Preaching Sermons From His Bible at Church, Everyday Life Not Gatherings, Timothy Not Pastor but Evangelist, 2 Timothy 4:5, Imma Preach the Word While Holding Bible, The Word Wasn't the Bible, Logon, That Which is Said, What Was Said was the Gospel, Always Be Ready to Speak about Jesus to Jews and Greeks, In Season and Out of Season, Preach the Word as a Sermon Began With Reformers, Sermons Have No Biblical Foundation, Began Hundred of Years Before Jesus, Became Common in 2nd Century, Solidified by the Fourth With Constantine, Greek Thing Not Christian Thing, Greek Philosophers Named Sophists, Orations for Pay and Prestige, Eloquent Monologues, Sophists Were Seen the same as Movie Stars Entertainers and Athletes, Sermons Gave Them Fame and Fortune, They'd Wear Special Clothing to Stand Out, Sophists Had Celebrity Status, Give Sermons and Certain Time and Place for Pay, Sermons About Emotionalism and Eloquence, Sophists Immortalized Through Statues, Applauding Began With Sophists, This Style Known as Homiletics, Where We Get the Homily From, Many Early Church Fathers Were Sophists, Cyprian of Carthage Augustine and Chrysostom, Sermon Means Deceitful Argument, Sophist Where We Get the Word Sophisticated, The Early Church Never Gave Sermons, Speaking Was Always Conversational, 1 Corinthians 11-14 Explains Our Gatherings, Sermon Set Aside for Eucharist, Martin Luther Brought Sermons BackSupport the Show.Sign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

In this episode, Martha Tatarnic welcomes Jason Byassee to talk about church growth in a Mainline church context. Jason discusses the importance of churches embracing their own limitations and uncertainties. He emphasizes the need for churches to recognize that their only hope lies in the resurrection of Jesus and to be willing to give away their assets to those who can fill them. Byassee also highlights the significance of funerals in conveying the meaning of life and the role of the church in providing a message that is worth hearing. He explores the commonalities among thriving churches, including a willingness to try new things and a focus on character rather than charisma. Ultimately, Byassee encourages pastors to have hope in a God who raises the dead and to trust in the future of Christianity. Jason Byassee is senior pastor of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, ON. He previously taught preaching and held the Butler Chair in Homiletics at the Vancouver School of Theology. He is author or editor of 20 books on Christian faith, biblical interpretation, thriving congregations, leadership, and church history. Learn more at www.jasonbyassee.com.    Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.    Supporting Sponsors: Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.   Theology Beer Camp https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/theology-beer-camp-24/   Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Danny Burton - Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer

Brandon Nappi and Ned Parker discuss domestic violence, discernment, God's presence, and collaborative reading practices in 2 Samuel 7:1-14a. The text is appointed for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, in Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary.More Yale Bible Study resources, including a transcript of this episode, at: https://YaleBibleStudy.org/podcastBrandon Nappi is Executive Director of Leadership Programs and Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School and Ned Parker is Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement at Andover-Newton Seminary at Yale and a Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School.Connect with Yale Bible Study: Facebook: @YDSCCE Twitter: @BibleYale YouTube: youtube.com/c/YaleBibleStudy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/yds-center-for-continuing-education Thank you for listening!

Bestselling author, R. Eric Thomas, wrote “Here for It” in 2020 and it continues to reverberate in the hearts and minds of readers because of its timely topics and riveting personal story—making it a perfect “revisit” for our book club community! With humor and vulnerability, Eric shares about his memoir which is equal parts hilarity and heart–and what it took to write about his intersecting identities as a Black, queer, Christian man. Join Jen and Eric as they traverse transforming the ordinary into the profoundly funny and insightful. Book Summary: In his memoir of essays “Here for It,” Eric attempts to define what it means to be an “other” through his experience growing up in two very different worlds — the urban landscape of his parents home in Baltimore and then the wealthy, white suburb where he went to private school. He tries to figure out how to reconcile all of this, not just these two wildly different racial and class spaces, but also his Christian upbringing with his sexuality as a gay man; the exhaustion of code switching; accidentally finding internet fame; covering the 2016 election and all of that aftermath. Ultimately, he is seeking to answer whether the future is worth it when everything seems to be getting worse. He re-envisions what could be by placing himself at the center of his own story and sharing his experiences with us. * * * Guest's Links: R. Eric Thomas's Website - https://rericthomas.com/ R. Eric Thomas's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oureric/ R. Eric Thomas's Twitter - https://twitter.com/oureric R. Eric Thomas's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/R.Eric.T/ Books & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Here for It or How to Save Your Soul in America by R. Eric Thomas - https://bit.ly/3KFKdTV The Preacher's Wife - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Preacher%27s_Wife Congratulations, The Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas - https://bit.ly/3RdAY1E Kings of Baltimore by R. Eric Thomas - https://bit.ly/3PxKvQ4 Dickinson (TV Series) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8518136/ Better Things (TV Series) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4370596/ The Moth - https://bit.ly/3Vl3YFb Andre DeShields - https://www.andredeshields.com/ Clue (The 1985 Movie) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clue_(film) Amy Dickinson - https://amydickinson.com/ R. Eric Thomas's Here For It  News Letter - https://letter.rericthomas.com/ Maxine Waters - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxine_Waters  Ann Patchett - http://www.annpatchett.com/ Festival of Homiletics - https://festivalofhomiletics.com/ Connect with Jen! Jen's website - http://jenhatmaker.com/  Jen's Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmaker Jen's Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/  Jen's Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmaker Jen's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media, presented by Audacy.  Four Eyes Media: https://www.iiiimedia.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brandon Nappi and Ned Parker discuss gardening, the lectionary, and the impact of little things in reference to Mark 4:26-34. The text is appointed for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost in Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary.More Yale Bible Study resources, including a transcript of this episode, at: https://YaleBibleStudy.org/podcastBrandon Nappi is Executive Director of Leadership Programs and Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School and Ned Parker is Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement at Andover-Newton Seminary at Yale and a Lecturer in Homiletics at Yale Divinity School.Connect with Yale Bible Study: Facebook: @YDSCCE Twitter: @BibleYale YouTube: youtube.com/c/YaleBibleStudy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/yds-center-for-continuing-education Thank you for listening!

Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeshitz was one of the greatest rabbis of the eighteenth century. Even as a child, he was renowned as one of the rare geniuses of his time. Among the most revered Torah scholars of the last 300 years, Rabbi Eybeshitz was also a prolific writer, preacher, and Kabbalah master. His innumerable writings cover all areas of Jewish Learning, including the Talmud, Jewish Law, Homiletics, and Kabbalah. Carefully chosen selections of Rabbi Eybeshitz's writings have now been translated into English by the illustrious scholar Rabbi Yacov Barber, making Rabbi Eybeshitz's extraordinary ideas and insight accessible to a wider audience. In Pearls of Wisdom, you will discover Rabbi Yehonatan's thoughts on the weekly Torah portion and the Jewish holidays, as well as his insights into the Messianic Era; in Sparks of Wisdom, Rabbi Yacov Barber provides an alphabetically organized treasury of Rabbi Eybeshitz's practical guidance on many questions regarding Jewish teachings, laws, and code; and in Gates of Wisdom, Rabbi Yacov Barber has pulled together endearing and fascinating stories from the life of Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeshitz. Join us as we speak with Rav Yacov Barber about the great 18th century rabbi, Yehonatan Eybeshitz, and please visit https://eybeshitz.com/  Rabbi Yacov Barber is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker and author, and a much sought-after communicator on ethics and spiritual and personal growth. He can be contacted at his personal website. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption(IVP Academic, 2020). He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Join Profs. Karoline Lewis, Joy J. Moore, and Matt Skinner for a conversation on the Revised Common Lectionary texts for the Day of Pentecost Sunday on May 19, 2024. Commentaries for the Day of Pentecost: https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/day-of-pentecost-2/commentary-on-john-1526-27-164b-15-2 Our Spring Campaign is underway! Don't miss out on exclusive Working Preacher content for making a gift to the spring campaign between May 1-31! At the end of the campaign, we will send donors an ebook titled “Sustaining the Preaching Life.” It includes articles, commentaries, and Festival of Homiletics presentations, all curated by the Working Preacher team to help preachers care for themselves and support the preaching life. Donate now at https://workingpreacher.org/donate Check out a recent Enter the Bible podcast episode on the Gifts of the Spirit with guest Isreal Kamudzandu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-8d1k5QYBU Connect with Working Preacher Website: https://www.workingpreacher.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workingpreacher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workingpreacher/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WorkingPreacher Watch the Full Episode Here: https://youtu.be/7gVT3ZIlFSg

Join Profs. Karoline Lewis, Joy J. Moore, and Matt Skinner for a conversation on the Revised Common Lectionary texts for the Ascension of Our Lord on May 12, 2024. Commentaries for Ascension of Our Lord: https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ascension-of-our-lord/commentary-on-luke-2444-53-10 Our Spring Campaign is underway! Don't miss out on exclusive Working Preacher content for making a gift to the spring campaign between May 1-31! At the end of the campaign, we will send donors an ebook titled “Sustaining the Preaching Life.” It includes articles, commentaries, and Festival of Homiletics presentations, all curated by the Working Preacher team to help preachers care for themselves and support the preaching life. Donate now at https://workingpreacher.org/donate Connect with Working Preacher Website: https://www.workingpreacher.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workingpreacher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workingpreacher/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WorkingPreacher Watch the Full Episode Here: https://youtu.be/7gVT3ZIlFSg Register for the Festival of Homiletics (May 13-16, 2024) in Pittsburgh:  https://festivalofhomiletics.com/

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.A pre-Pesach message from our partners at Twillory: You can use the coupon code PESACH18 for $18 off all orders of $250  or more, or use the coupon code PESACH36 for $36 off all orders of $350 or more..In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with an intergenerational rabbinic pair: Rabbi Haskel Lookstein and his son, Rabbi Joshua Lookstein.Following in the footsteps of a successful parent can involve a crushing degree of pressure. In the Jewish world, perhaps the quintessential case of this is the challenge of being the scion of a prominent rabbinic family (what some might call a “dynasty”). In this episode we discuss:How did family, friends, and congregants react to Joshua leaving the family pulpit? How can children find agency amid family expectations?How do leaders of Jewish institutions manage the most foundational Jewish institution: the family? Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can grapple wisely with professional divergence across generations.Interview begins at 12:53.Rabbi Dr. Haskel Lookstein is the Rabbi Emeritus of Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan, where he served most of his entire rabbinic career. He was also the principal of the Ramaz School from 1966 through 2015. R. Lookstein has been highly involved in leadership in the Jewish community for decades. He serves as the Joseph H. Lookstein Professor of Homiletics at Yeshiva University, where he has taught since 1979. He also serves as a Vice President of the Bet Din of America. Rabbi Joshua Lookstein is the Associate Head of School at the Ramaz School. Rabbi Lookstein previously served as the Head of School at Westchester Day School and a Major Gifts Officer at UJA-Federation of New York, and as Executive Director of the S. Daniel Abraham Foundation. Rabbi Lookstein is responsible for ensuring the values of the school are sustained throughout a student's education.References:“The Lookstein Legacy: An American Orthodox Rabbinical Dynasty?” by Adam S. FerzigerThe Shawshank RedemptionWhy We Sleep by Matthew WalkerThis episode is sponsored in honor of Robert and Sandy April, loyal congregants and students of Rabbi Lookstein for many years. May they continue to learn from Rabbi Lookstein's lessons and actions for many years to come.

Charles Spurgeon was to England what D.L. Moody was to America. He was known as the “Prince of Preachers,” and was the most popular preacher in London at the age of twenty-one. Today, we learn more about him from a dearly loved retired professor of Literature, English and Homiletics , and explore All of Grace!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.