To the Point:
Others again have reproached me with my style, which has not the solemnity, nay, better, the dryness of the schools. They fear lest a page that is read without fatigue should not always be the expression of the truth. Were I to take their word for it, we are profound only on condition of being obscure.
- Jean Henri Fabre
One of the indictments of civilizations is that happiness and intelligence are so rarely found in the same person.
- William Feather
Men of science
claim that there can be no real answer to prayer; that this would be a
violation of law, a miracle, and that miracles have no existence. The
universe, say they, is governed by fixed laws, and God himself does
nothing contrary to these laws. Thus they represent God as bound by his
own laws; as if the operation of divine laws could exclude divine freedom.
Such teaching is opposed to the testimony of the Scriptures. Were not
miracles wrought by Christ and his apostles? The same compassionate
Saviour lives to-day, and he is as willing to listen to the prayer of
faith as when he walked visibly among men. The natural co-operates with
the supernatural. It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which he would not bestow, did we not thus ask.
- EGW, The Spirit of Prophecy, v. 4, p. 348
Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
- Mark Twain
They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse.
- Emily Dickinson
Got a favorite quote? Send it to BestPractices@ameritech.net. |
|
|
|
 Innovative Preaching:
Instant Feedback!
Michael Campbell, Montrose, Colorado
(Getting ideas like this from young pastors is exciting! This is the kind of thing I'd never have thought of. But what a great way to engage young people! LGS)
As a ministerial student I learned from one of my homiletics teachers, Dr. Derek Morris, the value of feedback from your listeners. Feedback is important before, during, and after your preaching to help hone the relevance of your sermons for your congregation.
A significant number of my members, especially my young members, have cell phones and constantly text message-sometimes during church. What if I could creatively harness this text messaging energy for feedback during the worship hour?
So I asked my parishioners to text message me during the sermon!
One sermon was based on the story of Zaccheus. My cell phone number (which I use exclusively for church business) is listed in the bulletin, and I put it on PowerPoint up on the screen just to make sure everyone has it.
I also put up a question: "What would you do if Jesus came to your house today?"
The last part of my sermon was about Jesus coming to the home of Zaccheus. I introduced the section by saying that some had shared with me what it would be like to have Jesus come over to your home.
As I read back what my church members had texted to me, there was rapt attention. People leaned forward to listen to what others around them had just sent in. One thirteen-year old said that although his house would be dirty, it would be OK because he would make Jesus a root beer float and talk. Another person texted that they would be grateful to talk about their spiritual life and how they could get to know Jesus better.
When I finished the sermon and greeted my members as they left, one teenager come up to me with a big high five. "That's so cool, pastor!" he said excitedly. "I want to come to church now and listen to you preach."
Contact Michael at pastorcampbell@montrose.net.
|
|
Reading for Pastors
by Best Practices Editor, Loren Seibold
Michael Campbell had a great idea (above) for using technology. This week: a few sites on ministry and technology.
___________________________________________________
|
|
|
