This post is a part of Rookie Anglican, a blog dedicated to Making Anglicanism Accessible. “The more things change, the more things stay the same.” ~ Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr T.F. Torrance’s astute observation applies as much to the Church today as it did to ancient Israel: “the tendency to make the sacrificial priesthood independent of the…
Preparing to Preach
It’s early Sunday morning and I am adding some additional thoughts to my sermon for today. I preached it last night at the Saturday evening service in our chapel. Preaching first in a smaller space is always a good experience for me. I only find awkward phrases and weak points when I say them out…
What They Are Saying About The Trinity
It was the whole Trinity, which at the beginning of creation said, “Let us make man”. It was the whole Trinity again, which at the beginning of the Gospel seemed to say, “Let us save man”. — J. C. Ryle The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship…
Help for that Tricky Trinity Sunday Sermon
For many years, when I preached or taught on the Holy Trinity, I always started by saying basically the same thing, something like this: “I am as unsure as anyone how the doctrine of the Trinity makes sense or is directly relevant to daily life. However, it is a true biblical and Christian belief, and…
Preaching Like a TED Talk?
Sir Ken Robinson is a first-class speaker. I’ll never forget the first time I heard and watched his enthralling TED talk on the systemic flaws of education in our time. I listened to Robinson’s TED talk in the animated adaptation by the brilliant folk at RSA Animate. Robinson describes how the modes and methods of…
Five Big Mistakes I’ve Made in Preaching
I’m not the best preacher, but after 18 years of preaching, I’ve learned a great deal from my own mistakes. To spare you, I’ve listed some of the biggest ones here. Not Believing in Preaching Itself I hope we all share a belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Believe it, and always preach it….
That’s Not the Gospel
Priests spend a considerable amount of time in hospitals, visiting the sick and praying with and for them. Some of those we visit are young and generally very healthy; they are expected to make quick and full recoveries. They almost always do. Praying for them is “easy” because our prayers for healing are often answered,…
Anglican Worship: The Center of Parish Life
Worship “Why” & “How” is What Shapes Christians At the heart of every church tradition is one priority that shapes the community’s identity. This central aspect is the source of its energy and vision and becomes the first of all other priorities. This aspect determines much, if not all, of its distinctive traits and eventually becomes…
