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).

A Place to Study:

Something To Think About A Place to Study:

(Bio-warning:  All STTAs are autobiographical, me being the "auto."  This one is more so.  So if you aren't interested in reading some thoughts from an old preacher, mostly about being an old preacher, then you might want to look up something else to read.) I remember when, as a twenty three year old new pastor I first set up shop in the little, maybe eight by ten feet, room designated as the "Pastor's Study."  Over the next couple of years one of the guys in the church gave me an old desk, which we refinished.  Another helped me build some shelves.  A desk chair and maybe one more seat were obtained.  I can remember some of the significant discoveries, discussions, and  breakthroughs that took place in that little room.  I proudly--in the right sense, I hope--referred to that little space off the right end of the platform in our little building, as "my study."  About eight years into my time here at Covington Bible Church, we built a new building, still not big, but much less small than where we were.  I was very grateful that as folk worked on the drawings for out new facility they wanted to make sure that sufficient space was set aside for the Pastor's Study.  In the downstairs of our building all the floors were bare concrete when we moved in, all but my study, which was covered with carpet.  It had a lot of red in it.  It was my study.  The refinished desk was moved in.  A nice easy-chair was put in one corner.  Eventually some fish took up residence there.  Again, I was privileged to hang out in that room while significant events, matters of eternal import, took place.  A few years ago I undertook a major remodeling project.  Most of the cherry lumber that was used for shelves and cabinetry was from trees my Father-in-law, the man who was my pastor in my youth, had cut down.  The old, now way outdated, carpet was replaced with laminate flooring, and the fish had a custom-made place for their little tropical world.  A bit later my wife helped me put together a one-of-a-kind table.  When I built the shelves, and laid the floor, I did the arithmetic, not just calculating length and width, but time.  I knew that I was building a space for someone who would come after me.  A little over six months ago, I packed up my books and stuff, and moved out.  Most of my things are still boxed up.  Thankfully, over the last decade or so, more and more of my "books" are digital.  What used to take up feet of shelf space now is stored on a hard drive I can hold in my hand.   Part of the time, now, I work from home.  When I'm at Covington Bible I work out of a very adequate space that doubles as a classroom.  I'm doing some work on the room.  I'd like to leave it better than I found it. My where-I-sit-to-work migration isn't finished, though.  In preparation for thenext phase of ministry that Kathy and I are undertaking, I recently purchased a piece of luggage.  I confess it was the label Samsonite put on the piece that first caught my attention--"Mobile Office." As I look back over the places where I have been privileged to sit down and study God's word, prepare lessons, and messages, and meet with people in need, I am very thankful.  What has taken place is far more important than where it took place.  In a short time I'll pack up again.  Since most of my stuff is still in boxes from the last move, it won't take long.  I'll pray for the next person--likely someone a lot like that dark-haired kid who moved into that little eight by ten room more than four decades ago.  I'll put my computer in my mobile office and we'll roll on. A friend of mine would say, "It's all good."  And it is.  Beyond doubt,GOD IS GOOD. It's STTA. I was recently privileged to share a message at a sister church, where some friends of mine faithfully study and minister, one of them has been my colleague and friend for forty years.  I was there for a day this congregation had set aside to show their appreciation to their pastors.  I can almost guarantee that you have never heard a message preached from the passage I chose to use in honoring these men for their faithfulness.  If that piques your interest click here.

It takes a while to know if we have done anything worthwhile.

Something To Think About, Preaching:

I have the privilege this week, and next, to speak to a group of budding preachers.  It is intended to be what Paul did for Timothy and Titus.  In preparing--and it is very much an ongoing process.--one of the things I'm doing is putting together a list of--with apologies to Solomon--"Proverbs for Preachers."  Probably the wise king of Israel used parchment to record his Proverbs.  I'm using PowerPoint.  Here is one:     As my pastor during my teen years used to remind us. Pastors*  are just like the rest of us.  When they get up in the morning, they put their pants on one leg at a time."   As such, the sticks and stones of criticism often hurts, sometimes the pain is bone deep.   Often, I deserve the criticism that I receive, in fact I probably deserve more than I get.  Being human, nothing I do is faultless.  To use a term that has grown common in the internet era, I'm "just saying."  It seems like mistakes are recognized and consequences brought to bear much quicker than successes. I've known preachers who were fired, or hounded out of their ministry.  Leaving aside for a moment whether the termination was justified,  the time from the offence to the final showdown was pretty brief.  I've known other pastors who faithfully labored year after year, and only found out a long time after--a very long time--that they had had any success at all.  I figure some faithful servants won't know until they hear that "Well done," from the Chief Pastor. This is not a plea for folk to go out and be nice to their pastor, certainly not to this one.  (Though if you want to be nice to the one who ministers to you and your family, I sure won't stop you.)  This is really addressed to pastors and anyone who does anything in service to our Lord, and that group is much bigger than those who have a role like mine.  We just need to know how things work.  Isaiah, Jeremiah, "others" (Hebrews 11:35-38)  were treated horribly.  Note what Hebrews 11:38 says, "They were too good for this world."  Even our Lord was a "Man of Sorrows." Serving the Lord for immediate gratification is a sure route to frustration, and probably worse.  It is a task that needs to be motivated by faith, faith in the one Who is faithful, and that ministry needs to be conducted faithfully.  I put that picture on the slide because it is a reminder of that need to be faithful.  the guys at the table with me are guys in whom I was privileged to invest.  Later, I came to see some of the fruit of that investment.  The true accounting will take place later still.    For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)    It's STTA.

Preaching: Is Anybody Listening?

Something To Think About, Preaching, 2:

STTA started out as a radio program.  I'd go down to the local radio station and sit in from of a console and a recorder.  I age myself when I tell you I started out with a reel to reel.  I'd sit there with a stopwatch in my hand and read from my script.   Sometimes it came out right.  Often times I'd have to start over.  I made good use of the rewind button.  When I finished, the tech-guy at the radio station would put my spots on a cartridge that looked a lot like the old eight-tracks that used to be in automobiles. "Something to Think About" was broadcast right after Paul Harvey.  After his iconic, "Good Day," my, "Hello, my name is Howard Merrell, this is Something to Think About," would go out to radio-land. Back in the day it used to be common for local businesses to play the local radio station over their public-address systems.  A few times, I was giving my order to a waitress, or getting my change from a checkout clerk when my radio-voice came out of the speaker.  Some made the connection, others just kept counting nickels.  It never was really clear whether anyone really listened. Is anybody out there tuned in? I'm not on the radio anymore, but it is still a question I ask whenever I preach.  People may look like they are paying attention, and often they are--to their cellphone, a grocery list, a mental replay of the fight they recently had with their spouse, or even "twenty-five reasons why this guy is all wrong." When the preacher steps down from the platform or the teacher finishes the lesson, we are never quite sure what has been accomplished. Anything? From time to time we preacher-types get word from the other side.  It happened to me recently.  Somebody took the time to come and let me know that yes, indeed, someone was listening.  Somebody out there in the sea of faces zeroed in on the message in the message and applied it to their heart.  A life was changed. Is anybody listening? Most of the time we don't know. Preaching is an act of faith.  I believe in the power of God's word (see here).  To teach Sunday School, to preach, to read the Bible to your kids before they go to sleep, involves believing that God works through His word.  It's encouraging to have that trust reinforced from time to time.  I'm thankful to my new friend for giving me a peek at what's going on out there. Yes, somebody listened.   It's STTA.   A fictional preacher-friend of mine has the same question in his heart that many of we flesh and blood preachers struggle with.  Sometime it seems like Nobody is listening.  You might identify with Parson Smedley's musings.

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.

Something To Think About "He listened!", 9/2

In order for this to make sense, you have to think on one side of a couple of Theological truths.  Jesus is God incarnate, the God-man.  Think on the human side of that.  The Bible is a book given by God in such a way that both as to words and to the overall content it can be accurately called the "Word of God."  Yet, God chose to use people in the writing of those books that make up the canon of Scripture.  The people, with their unique backgrounds and personalities are so involved in the process that it is accurate to say, "David says," or, "Peter wrote." If that gives you a headache, go get an aspirin and rejoin me in a minute. OK, I'm not asking you to deny Jesus Deity, or think of the Scripture as less than God-inspired, I just want you to allow the human side of things to inform this conversation. For three years, that we know of, Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher and preacher.  While He spoke on occasions to large crowds, Jesus' prime audience were the twelve men who were His apostles--eleven of whom remained faithful and changed the world.  I'm on really shaky ground, here, because I'm going to compare myself to Jesus.  I, too, am a preacher/teacher.  Nothing brings me greater joy, as a communicator, than to receive feedback that what I have attempted to teach has actually been learned.  When I hear from a person, or, even more, when I see in a person's life, that they got it--WONDERFUL! We've been working through the book of 1 Peter.  Peter was one of those twelve whom the Lord had chosen to be with Him so He could pour his life and teaching into their hearts.  I have to think it caused the Lord great joy to hear Peter say, "   “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,” (1 Peter 3:13–14).   You see, Jesus had preached a message about that concept to the Twelve, just before He sent them out on a ministry tour.  You can find it inMatthew 10.  Though Jesus tells Peter and his comrades that they will be like sheep in the midst of wolves, and that they will face all kinds of opposition and persecution, He tells them to not be afraid.      “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, NASB95)   When Peter challenged the persecuted believers with the echo of his teacher's question, I imagine a smile must have come across the Lord's face.  "He got it!  That loud-mouthed fisherman was actually listening." Let's make the Lord smile today. Let's encourage those who faithfully teach God's word (here). Listen, do, teach others.   It's Something to Think About.   Here is an interesting picture of what is wrong with the world and how God's message makes it right.

Something To Think About, Gettng Something out of Church: 2/24

OK, I'm an old preacher, so anytime I see that a child has written, in big bold letters,  "SERVE THE LORD!!" you have my attention. Covington Bible Church is privileged to work with and through the Davis family, who serve near Wellington New Zealand.  Like all good missionaries Pink Davis (Yes, that is his name.) is working hard to work himself out of a job.  While doing so, he and Selena are raising three lovely girls.  Recently a proud parent posted this picture of the  two older girls' notes from a recent message. Go Girls! We live in a world where most people carry in their pockets a device that is able to produce whiz-bang effects that would have left a movie producer of just a short time ago slack-jawed in amazement.  Dancing bears no longer amuse us.  The bruins must also change colors in rhythm to the music, talk in several languages, and wear a customizable wardrobe, that will trumpet our favorite sports team's logo at the click of a key.  In this techno-glutted world there are still guys like me who stand up every week and just talk.  We open a 2,000 year old book and tell people what it says.  We may try to insert some technology in our talk, but even the really big churches can't keep up.  Those of us in the ranks of the "also-rans" can't even hope to stay close.  Yet I am convinced that this ancient mode of communication--preaching the message of the Bible--is an effective means of passing on the message.  Rather than moving away from preaching the Word of God, we preacher-types should renew our commitment to it.  I'm not speaking  against PowerPoint, or any of the other audio-visual aids that have become a part of 21st Century church life.  I am speaking for talking a First-Century, and older, text into the lives of 21st Century people.  If we are going to do that, and do it well, there are some commitments we need to make: First, to preachers:  Preach well! One reason preaching has lost favor is because preachers have lost fervor.  I speak not so much about fervor on the platform as I do about diligence in the study.  Those of us who stand up and say, "This is what God says. . ." ought to do our best to say it well. Second to listeners:  Listen hard! Too many take their seat on Sundaymorning, bleary-eyed from the night before, punching in one more text, and pretty well determined to be bored.  They are often not disappointed. This is where Eliana and Aleyah are leading the way.  They sat down on Sunday morning expecting to hear something important.  If something important is going to be said, I probably ought to take note of it.  And they did! Lead on ladies! It's STTA.

Lash me to the Mast--spell that B-I-B-L-E

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT 9/11 .    Are there any two other numbers that bring up such memories?   This year the anniversary of the horrendous attack on our nation intersects with a presidential campaign.  I'm thankful that both major candidates have declared a moratorium on negative campaign ads for the day.  Both candidates and their staffs are working hard to look suitably somber.  They want to make the point that their election is the "key" to the salvation of our nation, yet they must do so without appearing to "use" this sad remembrance.  It is an  interesting dance to watch.   Let me try a dance of my own.  (A strange image for an old Fundamentalist.)  On the one had I want to speak to some of my friends who have succumbed to a cynicism that spreads like early morning fog.  After two or three or twenty election cycles it is easy to say, "It doesn't matter."  Vote for Tweedledee or Tweedledum.  It really makes no difference.  Broken campaign promises become the fodder of the next opposition ads.  The syndrome creates jokes like the one that begins, "Consider liars and politics."  and then continues with, "Oh, I'm sorry.  I've repeated myself."   That kind of cynicism doesn't help.  It leads to decent people surrendering the process to the scoundrels.  I'm grateful for decent, honest, in some cases, even Godly people who wade into the political swamp and try to make it better. On the other hand, especially, those of us who claim to speak for God need to resist the siren call that becomes all but deafening every four years.  Odysseushad himself tied to the mast of his ship so that he would not abandon his course and crash on the rocks.  The mythic tale warns of a very real danger. As preachers of the Word of God, we need to be lashed to the Book.  We are not a-political.  We aresupra-political.  One of the images of the Bible is that it is a fire.  We ought to preach the Word in such a way that we hold the feet of those who listen to that fire.  The Bible ought to inform and shape all of our lives.  That has to include the great responsibility that we Americans have to vote for our leaders, and responsibly participate in our representative form of government.   Without the least bit of arrogance--in fact with a great deal of humility--I say that there are those of us who need to stay so tightly tied to the Word of God that we can be a guide through these dangerous waters.    It's STTA.     The heart of that message to which I am committed is found below:   http://covingtonbiblechurch.com/lifesmostimportant.html    Here is a good word from another preacher who is tied to the Word.