A Master of a Sacred Craft

Thank you, Haddon

“I heard Dr. Ironside tonight. Some people preach for an hour, and it seems like twenty minutes. Others preach for twenty minutes and it seems like an hour. I wonder what the difference is?” Haddon Robinson spent the rest of his life trying to answer that question.(https://www.dts.edu/read/truth-poured-through-personality-smith-steve/) Along the way he helped thousands of us become better preachers. Not great preachers, Robinson said there are no great preachers, only a great Christ. Robinson entered the presence of His Lord July 22. Not only did Robinson teach at Dallas Theological Seminary, Denver Seminary, and Gordon Conwell, he taught and encouraged many more of us through his books and articles. The thoughts of two capable preachers of a great Christ captures much of power his example and teaching had.   "“Preaching,” said Phillips Brooks, “is truth poured through personality.” Haddon Robinson understood that. “We affect our message,” he wrote in Biblical Preaching, his best-selling manual now taught in over 140 seminaries and colleges. “The audience does not hear a sermon, they hear a person—they hear you.”  And they have." (same artcile) Over the years, I have gained from Robinson's input on preaching. From him I learned that expository preaching is not only preaching from a given text of scripture, but allowing that Bible passage to guide me as I put the sermon together and shared it. I can't remember whether I heard him say it, or read it in an article, but he reminded me that everything in scripture is there for a reason. It is important. I've tried to remember that. I hope you won't think I'm disrespectful when I say that Haddon Robinson was one of three or four preachers who encouraged me because of what one would normally consider as a negative trait. Robinson didn't score very high on the good-looking scale. If anyone set out to draw a picture of a powerful spokesman and ended up with a picture that looked like Haddon, it would be because they weren't a very good artist. With all my shortcomings, I looked at Robinson, and thought, if that guy can stand in front of a group of people and effectively communicate the word of God, perhaps there is hope even for me. Though I never met him, Haddon Robinson encouraged me to be a better preacher. I hope in some small way I can encourage other communicators of the Word. I'm confident that there is coffee in heaven. I also figure we'll all be good looking in "up there," yet we'll retain an essence that makes it clear that we are who we are. I look forward to spotting Robinson along the golden street, sitting down over a steaming cup, and talking about the craft of uplifting the name of Christ in preaching. I don't see why a little thing like death should keep us from continuing to work on such a noble craft. It's STTA (Something To Think About).

Talking about Preaching

Something To Think About, Preaching:

"It's a weird way to make a living." I remember sharing that commentary about being a pastor and preaching to a group of people every week.  I was talking to a younger colleague.  Not only has it been the way I have earned my living for all my adult life, preaching/pastoring has been my life. Today, and five more times over the next two weeks I get to talk to a group of guys about preaching to, and being a shepherd to, a congregation.  It is a great privilege. As I prepare, I am reminded of some who have taught and/or been an example to me over the years: My late Father-in-law, Eugene Marsceau was my pastor through my formative teen years.  He modeled faithfulness.  That is the trait that is the chief requirement for those of us to whom a message has been entrusted. Lester Pipkin was the President of Appalacian Bible Institute where I received the training that impacted me most.  He was a great example of powerful preaching.  Words can move people.  The Word of God is powerful. Billy Price has been my colleague in ministry for almost my whole career.  He has modeled what it means to love others with the love of Christ.  He has been my friend. I can't say I knew the man, but I learned from Joe Stowell that sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is to say nothing.  It's harder than you think.  I have never seen a man with a more powerful presence, I saw in Glenn Mathews a rare combination of passion and intellect. I observed as I listened to Victor Decker, my pastor during two years of college, and J. Don Jennings, whose ministry I sat under several times, that God not only uses us in spite of our handicaps, He actually uses our handicaps as a means for showcasing His word.  We have the treasure in clay pots.   I could go on, but let me just say that I'm humbled to step into the room with these men, not, as has been true in the past, in the role of student, but as one who seeks to shape the next generation of those who Preach the Word. I'd appreciate you praying for me.  I know it sounds quaint and old-fashioned, but we need some guys who can preach the word.  If I can have any positive influence to that end.  I'll be very thankful. Let me know in about fifty years how it works out. It's STTA.