Spiritual Disciplines of a Healthy Church – Preaching Ministry
Teaching Notes for Session Titled: The Preaching/Teaching ministry of the local church MARK: A healthy church understands the preaching ministry not as an independent cluster of sermons, but as a body of work intended to transform the people of God. The preaching ministry of the elders is the primary means by which God saves and grows His people in the local church. What Preaching Is Preaching Defined Don Whitney says, “Preaching is the proclamation of God’s truth by any and every legitimate means.” It is done in various venues, such as Sunday School, private discussion, public debate, print media, and of course from the pulpit. Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 1:21, “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who...
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I am taking my church through a new study on Sunday evenings. I am utilizing these three books in developing this study. So far, the first two messages have been well received. Many in attendance have remarked that these messages should be preached in the Sunday morning service. I agree. Last Sunday evening, I spoke on the importance of meaningful church membership and sought to answer the questions: Is church membership biblical? Why join a church? I also gave discussed what should be the minimum expectations of any member, old or new, in our church: Gathering, Giving, Praying and Serving. This past Sunday evening I spoke on the importance of attending, or the Gathering expectation. Is Church attendance mandatory, essential, or unnecessary. No doubt many will...
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