Good Friday

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)

Good Friday is a religious observance primarily by the Church, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Observed on the Friday of Holy Week, Christians all around the globe gather and recapitulate what's been dubbed "The Seven Last Words" or "The Seven Last Sayings" uttered by Jesus, as preserved in the gospel writings, during the final and agonizing 6 hours of his life on the cross from approximately 9 AM to 3 PM.

Conveyed within these last seven sayings are spiritual principles germane to understanding the message of the gospel. In these seven sayings, we find the purpose and power of the gospel; we visit the scene and are allowed to hear the conversation and conversion of a criminal; we learn of a familial connection cemented by this cross; we hear the tortured cry of one cursed for another; we are given confidence in the fulfillment of Scripture; we hear the acclamation of a victor; and we hear the unshakeable confidence of a surrendered sovereign soul.

Take a moment to reflect back almost 2000 years ago to the precursor of the resurrection, to the place of reconciliation and redemption, and hear the voice from the cross. Click link to Seminary Now videos on the Last Seven Sayings of Christ on the Cross. These videos offer insight from well-respected New Testament scholars.

1. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) | https://youtu.be/Shq_L4KMtwA?si=uUfbnx5jk74OSCWk
2. "This day you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43) | https://youtu.be/5GVbEFnJXyk?si=Y_DV9sXvnyuqm3WI
3. "Woman, here is your son...[John] here is your mother." (John 19:26-27) | https://youtu.be/Lc1AcGTVxWc?si=S0VsmBFnPw4pO4r8
4. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46) | https://youtu.be/BjJ4_x6xHBU?si=FtH6jJwZWQWuNiA8
5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28) | https://youtu.be/c_b3kA1xnFY?si=2oGXhDqBhrLsWkFp
6. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46) | https://youtu.be/Dej8W09hUcE?si=CMJPnSBHaNN3P7mD
7. "It is finished." (John 19:30) | https://youtu.be/HkYGEC8ktZo?si=w95DwFLE-XcBGiTO                                                                                                                                                                                  Without the cross there is no Christianity. The preaching of the cross and the death of Christ is the center of the Christian gospel message.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:23-24 (KJV)

Copyright © 2024 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven III is Principal of Johnson Beaven III Ministries LLC. He serves in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) as Executive Secretary and Director of Education in the International Department of Evangelism, and Chairman of District Superintendents in the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction. He's also a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. He is a former pastor, local site coordinator and instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program. For information, check Linktree. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @jbeaven and @jbiiiministries.

Make It A Happy New Year

Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:15 NKJV

Being still in the month of January, let me start out saying—"Happy New Year!" But what will make it happy? Maybe wishful thoughts that all of the past year’s troubles will somehow mysteriously disappear with prospects of all things becoming new. It may be the birth of a child, being in good health, having a great family, or being gainfully employed.

For some, the New Year has not started with what we typically ascribe to happiness. Someone is wondering how their family is going to make it through the first month of the New Year. Some may have spent the first few weeks in the hospital visiting a severely-ill family member, or at home tending to the care of a family member. Others have or may experience the loss of a spouse, having to endure the emotional pain and grieve all year long.

If your New Year has started with a bang, I'm sure your friends celebrate with you. If your New Year started with a boom, hopefully someone has cried alongside with you. Regardless of how it started, God is concerned and cares for you whether you have many friends or no friends at all. God will be there with you all year through.

Victory is Possible

 

 

“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God…” Luke 8:1 (ESV)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)

The Nike groundbreaking “Just Do It” television advertisements in the late 1980s highlighted sports superstars showcasing their stellar skills that gave them the edge in gaining the most victories in the field of athletics. The message communicated in these advertisements is you can win and be victorious, so just do it. "Just Do It" eventually became more than just a slogan. It is a mindset for achievement in life.

 

On the field of everyday life, many do not always cross the finish line or hit the game winning shot. For many people, victory is something only witnessed at sports events of someone else being victorious. It is only a thought, an elusive idea; never an actual, personal experience.

 

Victory is something God wants, and has made possible, for everyone to experience. Its possibility is through what is called “The Gospel.” The gospel is most unique because of what it is—good news.

 

But what makes the gospel good news? The gospel is good news declaring the message of the cross. As one travels through the tapestry of the grace of God, one experiences the power of the message of the cross. The apostle Paul makes the bold assertion that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), and rightly so because it adequately handles that which hurts and harms humanity the most, preventing victory—sin. Thus, the gospel in its power carries the message of the cross, which is a message of forgiveness, peace, grace, change, love, victory, and hope.

 

One of the great messages communicated through the cross is the message of victory. The gospel is good news because in it God, through Christ, gives us “the victory” we could not win for ourselves and on our own (1 John 5:4; 2 Cor. 2:14).

Victory is something God wants everyone to experience and has made it possible through Jesus Christ.

The words overcome and victory in 1 John 5:4-5 are the same Greek term nike. The term has various nuances: 1) to conquer, vanquish, or subdue something in life; 2) to prevail or overpower someone in battle; 3) to overcome or come off superior in a judicial sense of legal action. Nike simply means “to win, to have victory.” In the Old Testament, explicit victories were won over physical forces. In the New Testament, victories gained through Christ are against the immaterial, unseen yet real entities that entangle humanity.

 

What victories are guaranteed for persons who accept and believe that Jesus is the Son of God? What victories has Christ won for us wherein we experience the good news of the gospel?

What is Ministry?

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God…” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 KJV

God’s call unto salvation is the greatest invitation ever offered to any people. To experience God’s amazing grace and redemption through the cross of Jesus Christ is unparallel to anything else in life. The cross event enables us to experience the effect of God’s ministry to humanity—salvation from sin and granting of eternal life. This reality is clearly stated in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It is important to understand that God’s call to salvation is not a call to merely come sit in a church or religious gathering to solely soak up some spiritual teaching. Learning how to walk in the newness of life in Christ is a must, for therein one learns about how to live for God and how to serve others. But one major aspect of salvation is our responding to God in service.

God not only calls us by grace into salvation, but He also empowers us to serve, within the community of faith and the community around us. Thus, God's call to salvation is also a call to service or doing “ministry.” Ministry is most often understood in the technical sense of the term, meaning work of those called to what is known as “ordained” ministry. But doing ministry is the work of all (Acts 8:1, 4; Ephesians 4:11, 12).

God's call to salvation is also a call to service.

In the Gospel of Mark 2:1-12 is the story of a paralyzed man who received forgiveness of his sins and healing of his physical ailment. It is a theologically rich story contrasting the faith of four persons in Jesus' ability to heal against the skepticism of the Scribes of Jesus' authority to forgive sins. Because Jesus is the Christ, he has both, the authority to forgive sins and the ability to heal sicknesses.

You may say, "Ok, I get that; but what does this passage have to do with ministry?" Embedded in this story are a few points about ministry and the magnitude of its possibilities:

Doing the Work of Evangelism

In the Apostle Paul’s final words to his pastoral protégé Timothy, he gives Timothy several imperatives or commands. One of them is, “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).

The execution of evangelistic effort is a multi-faceted enterprise. In other words, evangelism is not one-dimensional or one-sided. It has many forms or may employ different methods that work together toward its objective of winning souls to Christ. For instance, God used Paul to plant and Apollos to water (1 Cor. 3:6). They each had a role in the process of God causing the work to grow.

There is a three-dimensional model, called the 3 P’s of evangelism, that depicts three levels of responsible action in the ministry of evangelism—presence, proclamation, and persuasion. The evangelist’s role varies at each level, yet each level is a vital and integral part in evangelizing the gospel.

The first level is presence. This level is foundational to the other levels of evangelism because it prepares the pathway for furthering the work of evangelism. It is at this level that we show the love and good works of the gospel by letting our light shine and sprinkle the salt of savory saints (Matt. 5:13-16). This level is where we let our presence be felt and known particularly outside the four walls of the church into the community. The goal is helping and loving people—feed the hungry and homeless, provide clothing, visit the sick, advocate for the hurting, helpless and social justice. This level is the music of gospel; witnessing in warmth. Presence evangelism enables people to feel and see the “good news” of the gospel. It has been said that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Additionally in our post-modern society, people won’t come to church until we show we care first.

Presence evangelism is the music of the gospel, whereby people feel and see the “good news” of the gospel.

No Vain Labor

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) 

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. I salute everyone for your contribution which has enriched and enhanced all of our lives.

As a Christian, have you ever wondered if your labor is really worth the toil and trouble, strain and stress, ingratitude and injustice, especially when there doesn't seem to be any visible productive fruit from your labor? If you are like me, your reply is a big "YES!" No one enjoys exerting wasted effort, energy, and emotion in an exercise of futility. Although we may feel this way at times, 1 Corinthians 15:58 is a reassurance that one's labor, not so much the actual exertion but the weariness, the exhaustion of strength in the Lord isn't in vain. It isn't hollow in effort, or empty of effect. That should make somebody shout "Glory!" even if you don't feel like it.

Here are three reasons why, as a Christian, one's labor isn't vain in the Lord.

• Our Labor Has Been REQUIRED

"But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith," Phil 1:22-25 (NKJV). Believe it or not, we are useful to the Lord. As with the Apostle Paul, and as shocking it may seem, the Lord has need of us. We have something of worth to contribute to the continuing work of the Lord whereby the Body of Christ will profit from.

• Our Labor Is REMEMBERED

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister" Heb 6:10 (NKJV). Often it seems that all the good one does goes unnoticed or overlooked. It's important to keep in perspective that we really have an audience of one to be concerned about. That one is God, who has a very good memory and doesn't forget our work and labor. If God keeps track of our sorrows, catches and collects our tears in a bottle recording them (Psalm 56:8), thusly, our labors aren't overlooked. In God's book, our work is appreciated, recognized and cherished.

• Our Labor Will Be REWARDED

"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor...If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward" 1 Cor 3:8, 14 (NKJV). We are guaranteed that we will be rewarded for our labor. But it's important that we check our true motive for working for the Lord. Our labor shouldn't be solely based on the fact that we will receive a reward. Rather, it should be out of gratitude for the Lord's redemption from sin, and our love for Him, knowing that the size of our reward will be based on His righteous estimation (Matthew 20:7).

I hope you have a relaxing and rejuvenating Labor Day to continue in your labors in the Lord. Remember this: the greatest reward for the Christian, the hope of the Resurrection, makes all the effort taken in the Lord's work worth it. No work done in His name is wasted!

"...The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth..."

Rev 11:18 (NKJV)

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

Rev 22:12-13 (NKJV)

Copyright © 2023 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven III is Principal of Johnson Beaven III Ministries LLC. He serves in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) as Executive Secretary and Director of Education in the International Department of Evangelism, and Chairman of District Superintendents in the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction. He's also a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. He's a former pastor, local site coordinator and instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program. For information, check Linktree. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @jbeaven and @jbiiiministries.

Summer 2012 at The Citadel

Citadel cordially invites you to join us at any of our events and special services this summer.

JUNE

Saturday, June 9 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM  Community Fish Fry

Sunday, June 10 | 5:00 PM  Impact Missions Sunday – A special service of commissioning and financial support for short-term missions trip to Guyana South America. Pastor Emmanuel John, a missions organizer and humanitarian, will be our guest speaker.

 

Friday, June 15 | 7:00 PM  LPC Choir Reunion Concert – A memorial concert of the Let Praise Continue community choir founded by Citadel’s former Minister of Music of 20 years, the late Elder William E. Rimson. He passed away in March 2012.

Monday-Wednesday, June 18-20 | 7:30 PM 

Rehoboth District Annual Conference – 3 nights of uplifting worship and inspiring Word.

Dr. Elijah Hankerson (Senior Pastor, Life Center Int’l COGIC - St. Louis, MO) will be guest speaker Monday night.

Dr. Elijah H. Hankerson ministers at West Angeles COGIC,

 Los Angeles, CA - COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles Blake, Pastor.

 Dr. Hankerson preaching during the 104th COGIC Int'l. Holy Convocation, St. Louis, MO

November 2011

Tuesday is Women's Night. Wednesday is Official Night. Bishop Donald L. Alford, Sr., Prelate of the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction COGIC, will be a special guest on Wednesday.

Friday-Saturday, June 29-30 | Summer Youth Summit – An empowerment and educational conference for Generation Z (youth ages 12-19). Elder Eric Taylor, Youth Pastor at Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC (Detroit, MI - Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Pastor) will be our special guest.

Year End at the Citadel

A winter chill has hit Indianapolis at the end of November. As a matter of fact, an early snowfall graced us today (and it's not officially winter). Yet the chill hasn't quenched the fire that's been falling at the Citadel of Faith Church of God in Christ. I just want to share what's happening in the last month of 2011 at the Citadel.

It's hard to believe, but this year marked my 27th year in pastoral ministry. Citadel will celebrate this milestone December 3 - 6, 2011.


The people that make up Citadel are the most generous and encouraging you'll find anywhere. It's been a distinct honor and godly pleasure to serve this congregation. Thanks Citadel for being a great church!

If you happen to be in the Indianapolis area this weekend, please be my special guest and enjoy the celebration with Pastor John C. Robinson, Sr. and Bible Way COGIC (Louisville, KY), Dr. William Adams of Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC (Detroit, MI), and Bishop Alan Gregory Porter of Greater Salem Church (Charlotte, NC).

2011 Who's Who In Black Indianapolis

Congratulations to the 2011 honorees in the 7th edition of Who's Who In Black Indianapolis! These persons are positive role models and mentors impacting the global financial corporate environment, education, religion, law, medicine, media, and entertainment in making a great difference in our local community. I'm appreciative for the recognition and inclusion in this 7th edition and past editions.

The Indianapolis first edition was published in 2003. Who's Who Publishing has done a great job in recognizing and valuing the diverse contributions and accomplishments of African-Americans across the USA.

An Unveiling Reception of this year's Who's Who In Black Indianapolis was held July 28, 2011 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis.

Who's Who Announces the 2011 Who's Who In Black Indianapolis Honorees - See Who Made the List!

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Move When God Says, "Move!"

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8 ESV

 
WOW, what a year! It has been an adventurous year of faith for the Citadel of Faith Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) throughout the process of acquiring, relocating, and transitioning from the place of preparation to a place of promise.
 

Praise is due to God, who in His grace has brought the Citadel of Faith Church to a wealthy, spacious place! From our church’s inception out of the womb of very small COGIC church, to an incubator at the home of charter members, to a crib in a classroom at an old elementary school, to a laboratory in a 2,500 square foot building on less than an acre of land, God has now blessed us with a 25,000 square foot facility on 5+ acres of land in a strategic spot to do greater works for the Kingdom. God has prepared us through years of testing and learning in the laboratory at our old church location for entering into a new phase of ministry in our new church location to bring into fruition His promise and plan.

You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

 Psalms 66:12 ESV

This time last year, I couldn’t have told you with confidence that we would be in a facility one year later like we are today. We knew it was necessary for us to either expand the building we were occupying, or relocate to a larger facility (God confirmed in 2008 to relocate). Either way would require reassessing and planning out a financial strategy and campaign for at least another two years. Then in January of this year, God spoke to my heart that it was time to move, to relocate the church saying “give Me something to work with.” I looked at our needs and what we had (I think you know what that means)…it didn’t add up on paper. The only thing I had to give God to work with was the bit of finances we had and a whole lot of faith. Needless to say, GOD DID IT! It’s amazing what God can do when He’s ready to move (there are plenty of biblical stories and personal testimonies confirming that).

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”

 John 6:7-9 ESV

One of the adventurous and confounding aspects early on in this process was having our hearts set on a property we felt adequately met our needs and would allow for growth, but from the beginning of negotiations in the spring-time, everything always ended in a stalemate. We were yet encouraged with our facility having a buyer within 30 days of being on the market in June. Then in August, we became aware of the property we closed on December 1^st. The ironic thing with that is it was the very first property we viewed when we started looking at properties over two years ago when the economic market had hit rock bottom. The property had been taken off the market for sometime and was put back on the market this summer. God providentially orchestrated that, knowing exactly what we really needed. Most amazing is that we purchased the property for only 35% of what its list price was when we first viewed it! We held our first service in our new facility this past Sunday, December 12^th. We're celebrating the Christmas Holiday season in a great gift provided by the hand of God.

Whatever God may be challenging you with, if He says go, do, or move...act in faith. It's amazing what God can do when He's ready to move!

I invite you whenever in the Indianapolis area to visit the Citadel of Faith Church of God in Christ (COGIC) where we are endeavoring to transform and empower lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We're  located at 7676 E. 38th Street, between Shadeland Avenue and Frankiln Road at the I-465 overpass (Exit 42 off I-465). We'd love to have you worship with us! Please feel free to become a Facebook fan as well.


Copyright © 2010 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven is pastor of Citadel of Faith Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He serves as a district superintendent and Episcopal assistant in the COGIC Indiana North Central Jurisdiction; human resources director for the COGIC International Department of Evangelism. He is the Indianapolis site coordinator and an instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program, and a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. His Twitter account is @jbeaven.

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Not a Good Sermon Sunday

There are diferent kinds of Top 10 lists, some worth heeding, others not. I came across this one from Nelson Searcy's Church Leader Insights Blog that made my day and I had to share. It's a list he saw from Preaching Magazine (http://www.preaching.com/):


The Top 10 Signs Your Sermon Isn’t Going Well
13. Your associate pastor is warming up in the bullpen.
12. The praise band begins playing you off the stage.
11. The congregation is filling in the blanks of your outline before you get there.
10. You think the lyrics to a bluegrass song are really connecting with your audience.
9. When you pause for dramatic effect, several people giggle.
8. Your cell phone starts ringing, and you answer it.
7. The person signing for the deaf just pulled on mittens.
6. When the children are dismissed to junior church, most of their parents go, too.
5. Your sermon took shape over a glass of wine and volume three of Left Behind.
4. Your interpreter just rolled his eyes and put your last statement in quotation marks.
3. Desperate mothers are pinching their babies.
2. The ushers are handing out refunds.
1. You began your sermon with “Top 10 signs your sermon isn’t going well.”

If you are a preacher, I hope none of these happened while you were preaching this past Sunday. If it did, go ahead and laugh, then try it again this coming Sunday.

Copyright © 2010 Johnson Beaven III. All Rights Reserved.

Johnson Beaven is pastor of Citadel of Faith Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He serves as a district superintendent and Episcopal assistant in the COGIC Indiana North Central Jurisdiction; human resources director for the COGIC International Department of Evangelism. He is the Indianapolis site coordinator and an instructor for the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) Certificate in Theology Program, and a religion columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. His Twitter account is @jbeaven.

The Local Church is the Spot

According to recent research by International Bible Institute, approximately 100 million people in America want a quality and affordable Bible school education providing a good understanding of the Bible or to be better prepared to serve in their churches. Where do you think is the most appropriate of all locations for such education and training? Simply, the local church.

For many people, the local Bible institute serves a discipleship function as well as being a practical training ground for ministerial development and practice. -Bruce W. Jackson

If you are a pastor or Christian education leader who desires to start a Bible institute in your local church, you can through International Bible Institute (IBI) located in Santa Fe Springs, CA. As an IBI consultant, I can help you establish your own institute joining others in the growing trend and resurgence of the Bible Institute movement. According to the Hartford Institute for Religious Research, in addition to other forms of training, 20-30 percent of megachurches have maintained a Bible school or institute since 2000. The significant point isn't that megachurches have institutes but that the local church is the best location for offering training because that's where the people are, and their desire for quality and affordablility can be met.

Help for the Hope of Haiti

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Mark 13:8 (NLT)

By now you have heard, read, and seen photos of the devastation in Haiti by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck this past Tuesday. The capital Port-au-Prince is flatten and destroyed beyond imagination. Blood-stained sheets and cardboards cover bodies piled in the streets. Seemingly every standing image of help has been demolished; hospitals, schools, orphanages, governmental structures, even the U.N. Headquarters. What was once called a home for some three million Haitians no longer exists. One CNN report stated the devastation equals the effect of several nuclear bombs. The Red Cross estimates over 45,000 death toll. Last evening I spoke with a Haitian ministerial colleague who has received report that some of his family members survived but yet not a word on three siblings. He had plans for making a trip to Haiti on January 25th prior to the earthquake, and still intends to if permissible. Pray that he and his team are afforded opportunity to go to offer assistance.

In light of the life-shattering effects of this earthquake or any natural disaster, one may wonder, “Where is God in all this (if there is a God)?”...“What does God have to say about this (if anything)?”..."What can I do in response to this?" These questions pervade the mind and heart in moments like this. In our quest to find answers we often turn to theologians. I appreciated the article by Dr. Albert Mohler, especially in light of the remarks made by Rev. Pat Robertson regarding a possible cause of this catastrophic calamity. Let me share three basic thoughts.

"Listen Up Preacher!" -- My Best Advice to Preachers

Use me, O God, not because it's the hour for the message, but because you've given me a message for the hour. -Ed Towne

This past Saturday I spent most of the day doing what I truly love—teaching. I enjoy every opportunity to teach and engage with persons in learning, preparing, and improving themselves to better serve the Lord and His Church in ministry. This was the final session of a homiletics course at a C. H. Mason Jurisdictional Institute of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination with persons preparing for the ordination process. The emphasis of this course was in expository preaching, which is becoming a preferred method among Pentecostal preachers.

One typical method of classroom learning is reading textbooks written by experts and professionals, in this case professors of preaching and famous preachers because we suppose those in the halls of academia and mega-church pulpits can offer the best advice for preaching. One such book, Best Advice for Preaching (1998) edited by John S. McClure, offers as the title presumes some great wisdom on the greatest endeavor persons like me have ever been allowed to engage for the eternal benefit of others.

It is not necessary for a preacher to express all his thoughts in one sermon. -Martin Luther

I thought for this course to include an added perspective. So I posted on Twitter and Facebook, “What would be your best advice to preachers?” I just want to share some of the replies with you.