by Brad Blocksom | Aug 31, 2020 | Devotionals, Discipleship, Preaching
Mark (p. 1776) They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Books*) “and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39, ESV) Who is Jesus? The disciples don’t know at this point. They are clueless...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 29, 2017 | Church Life, Cultural Engagement, Leadership, Messy Church, Practical Theology, Preaching
I have a huge interest in homiletics, the art of preparing and delivering sermons. I’ve read dozens of books on the subject, written a lot on it, and trained a lot of preachers in the past decade, not to mention having taken a number of courses in my undergrad...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 14, 2017 | Church Life, Cross-Cultural Ministry, Cultural Engagement, Disciple Making, Discipleship, Evangelism, Leadership, Messy Church, Missional, Practical Theology, Preaching
Over the years I’ve been approached by a few people who wanted to either use the gifts they believed they had or be trained and equipped to minister through speaking (e.g., preaching, teaching, training, etc.). In simple terms, they wanted opportunities to speak...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 6, 2017 | Leadership, Missional, Practical Theology, Preaching
Preaching is the art of provoking hearts and minds toward Jesus and his kingdom. I believe it’s an art because I’m convinced it’s similar to painting or composing music. You can take a class on painting and learn the basic mechanics of brush strokes,...
by Robby McAlpine | Dec 22, 2016 | Discipleship, Evangelism, Practical Theology, Preaching, Revival, Social Justice
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord…” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with...
by Brad Blocksom | Sep 27, 2016 | Church Life, Church Planting, Cross-Cultural Ministry, Cultural Engagement, Disciple Making, Discipleship, Evangelicalism, Evangelism, Family, Leadership, Messy Church, Missional, Money, Practical Theology, Prayer, Preaching, Small Groups
I came across these podcasts and, quite frankly, they were pretty eye opening for me (they’re kind of all related). So I wanted to share them here and see if we could get some good discussion going in the comments below. And, here they are: This one talks about...
by Robby McAlpine | Apr 16, 2016 | Ethics, Leadership, Practical Theology, Preaching, Revival
I’ll freely admit, right up front: this is a tough topic. Whenever I see leaders/preachers resort to manipulation, it really steams my shorts. I’ll try my best to be civil. To that end, I’ll focus on the slippery techniques they employ to manipulate their listeners’...
by Brad Blocksom | Jan 13, 2016 | Devotionals, Discipleship, Ethics, Evangelicalism, Evangelism, Leadership, Messy Church, Practical Theology, Preaching
2 Cor. 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful and underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (ESV) Wow, this...
by Able Baker | Dec 3, 2015 | Preaching
I am not the greatest preacher. Not even close. I work very hard to make sure my messages are as accurate and correct as I possible can with what knowledge and understanding is available to me during my preparation. It is very important for me to be biblically and...
by Michael Sterns | Jul 24, 2015 | Church Life, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Engagement, Ethics, Ethnic Reconciliation, Family, Forgiveness, Healing, Immigration, Leadership, Messy Church, Practical Theology, Preaching, Social Justice, The Vineyard Movement
Last week, I wrote on Rich Nathan’s discussion on biblical leadership which he gave at the International Vineyard Conference held in Columbus, Ohio. Now, I will try to highlight another speaker. During the morning session at the conference on Thursday July 9,...
by Brad Blocksom | Mar 25, 2015 | Church Planting, Cultural Engagement, Devotionals, Discipleship, Evangelicalism, Healing, Missional, Practical Theology, Prayer, Preaching
Mark 6:12-13 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. (ESV) Jesus sends out the twelve in pairs giving them His (not their own, inherent) authority to perform...
by Luke Geraty | Jan 30, 2015 | Devotionals, Discipleship, Missional, Practical Theology, Preaching, Small Groups, The Vineyard Movement
For the past few months I’ve been working on writing a booklet for Vineyard USA, edited by my good buddy Ramon Mayo, on the Lord’s Supper. As many of you know, I’m a huge advocate for the regular celebration of the Lord’s Supper. In fact, the...
by Brad Blocksom | Jan 6, 2015 | Disciple Making, Discipleship, Evangelicalism, Evangelism, Missional, Practical Theology, Preaching, Revival, World Misions
That’s right! I’m calling for an end to Fire Insurance theology as the central thesis of Evangelicalism! Or at least the out-of-balance, singular emphasis on “soul-winning” – especially at the expense of discipleship. Another way to talk...
by Brad Blocksom | Dec 30, 2014 | Church Life, Evangelicalism, Leadership, Practical Theology, Preaching
In this post I’d like to address that ever so popular, yet misused, over-used, and abused phrase: “The Bible says ________.” Because we hold to a high view of scripture within Evangelicalism, anytime that we want to lend credence or authority or just...
by Able Baker | Dec 29, 2014 | Preaching
Here is a tip for the new pastors out there ready like race horses to preach “the whole counsel of God” to your people. Just because it’s in the Bible does not mean you should preach it on Sunday. I’m an idiot. God likes to call idiots to the...
by Able Baker | Dec 27, 2014 | Preaching
As a pastor, I find it t’s easy to pour through theological books and articles during the week. I love them. If you’re like me you’re not a fan of simple practical canned pastoral monologues concerning the text from which you’re preparing to...
by Luke Geraty | Dec 7, 2014 | Church Life, Cultural Engagement, Missional, Practical Theology, Preaching
What is “#UglyChristmas”? If you are a Christian and you love the Christmas story you might be asking what is “ugly” about the birth of Jesus! You might also be wondering I am suggesting that we deeply celebrate #UglyChristmas. So what’s the intention behind...
by Luke Geraty | Jun 4, 2014 | Gender Issues, Leadership, Marriage, Missional, Practical Theology, Preaching, Social Justice
I guess blogging is as good a place to be introspective and anecdotal as anywhere else, right? I’ve decidedly chosen to “think out loud” here at ThinkTheology.org for a number of years now, so this isn’t really all that new. I’ve written...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 6, 2014 | Cultural Engagement, Practical Theology, Preaching
When I was in seminary, I had to read Inspired Preaching: A Survey of Preaching Found in the New Testament, written by C. Richard Wells and A. Boyd Luter. It was actually the first graduate course I had that was related to homiletics but was way different than what I...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 4, 2014 | Preaching
Lent starts tomorrow. For most of my life, Lent hasn’t been a tradition that I participate in and I’ve gone back and forth as to whether or not Evangelicals should participate. I’ve come to the conclusion that participating in Lent can be a really...
