Why I Prefer Expository Preaching (CLM 668)

From: Lance Lawton

Thu, 17 Dec 1998

I'd like to endorse the sentiments of Ps Ron Schultz in favouring Expository Preaching, over against topical. This conviction grows stronger for me by the year. I'd just add, though, that I see an important role for topical preaching provided it is secondary rather than primary in a pastor/preacher's toolkit. I believe it is an important means for addressing some significant issues which for various reasons (e.g. complexity, pastoral sensitivity, major relevance to one's pastoral context) need a longer and deeper focus than is possible as one point in an expository sermon, or even as the main point of one whole sermon. My discipline over the past few years has been to preach in series', cycled evenly between OT, Gospels, Epistles and topical. That pattern is not original to me I must emphasise. I picked it up at a workshop some years ago, and with regret I can't recall who it was that recommended it! Anyway I have found it a very helpful way to fulfil God's commission to feed his sheep, by teaching the whole counsel of God. It helps me to keep an appropriate balance between keeping myself under the authority of God's word, and at the same time being sensitive to the ways in which I discern the Spirit to be speaking to His Church. Yours in Christ, (Rev.) Lance Lawton Anglican Church of the Epiphany, Hoppers Crossing, Vic. ____________________________ Clergy/Leaders' Mailing List (Moderated) This mailing list is open to all Christians via Internet e-mail. Submissions welcome: (in DOS ASCII Text format please if 'attached' or 'imported') To subscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au with SUBJECT reading SUBSCRIBE To unsubscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au with SUBJECT reading UNSUBSCRIBE Copyright: Postings may be re-sent ONLY with all copyright notifications intact.

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