Comments on: Our Ministry in Wales, Part 3 :: Preaching & God's People

By: Paul W. Foltz

Paul W. Foltz — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:03:09 +0000

Every Christian is a preacher, he or she, is to tell others What God has done for him or her.

By: J M Miller

J M Miller — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:37:18 +0000

Bill, I enjoyed reading about your ministry in Wales in all three installments. My wife and I have been slowly progressing toward joining a mission agency in the UK which is based in Brecon. I spent some time teaching literature and poetry in Powys years ago and really miss the area. My wife and I took a trip to the area a year ago and connected with a lot of church leaders and ministries in various denominations and it really fueled my desire to serve in the UK.

I would enjoy connecting with you further via email and/or Twitter… As we begin raising support in the US, I have certainly considered the viability of working part-time and raising the remainder of the necessary funds. I would love to hear about your experience.

Blessings to you and your family!
Jason

By: Randy Siever

Randy Siever — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:22:22 +0000

Beautiful and inspiring thoughts, Bill. I, too, am weary of the sermon-centric, production oriented “worship” service…the only kind I’ve ever known. I appreciate your kind challenge to get outside the box. I wrote a piece that said something quite similar about proclamation (in regards to the Gospel in particular) which got a lot of flak…and some joyous celebration from a lot of others. You can read it here if you like:
http://doableevangelism.com/2008/06/01/busting-the-myth-of-pre-evangelism/

By: Tom M.

Tom M. — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:39:51 +0000

Thanks Bill. In context, this interpretation seems to make sense; especially with his theme of humility. I like it and I am sure that never occurred to me.

One last thing I am not clear on though– is this *your* interpretation of that verse, or just a possible interpretation?

By: Bill Lollar

Bill Lollar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:04:17 +0000

Tom: James does not mention elders, pastors, or bishops in this passage, so I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that he’s referring to someone who occupies some type of Word-based discipling role. A quick glance at the context show that whatever this verse means, it has something to do with James’ admonition regarding the tongue: he describes it as “a restless evil and full of deadly poison.”

Thomas Manton, a noted Puritan pastor in London in the late 1600′s, speaking of the Greek word underlying our English word, “teacher” in James 3:1 says, “Sometimes the word has the worst sense, that of a censorius reprover, one who occupies a chair of arrogance, magisterially inveighing against other people’s practices; and this is what it means here.” When you add the imperative force to the verb coupled with a strong negative, it becomes “Stop being/becoming ________.”

So I believe a more accurate translation of James 3:1 would be “Stop being/becoming arrogant judges, my brothers, knowing that we [who do this] shall receive greater judgment.”

Or a loose paraphrase might be, “Get off your high horse, those of you presuming to look down your noses at the rest of your brothers and sisters! If you don’t, God’s judgment awaits you.”

By: Tom M.

Tom M. — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:59:57 +0000

Sorry to make 2 James posts within five minutes, but how does this fit w/ James 3:1? I realize that there is a difference between a Christian preaching, and a teaching elder, but I’d like to get your take on how these two notions interact.

By: Bubba

Bubba — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:59:34 +0000

PREACH ON BROTHER! I agree with your concept of how you interpret what preaching is. Same holds true here in England. Every twice born BELIEVER should be living his faith and sharing (preaching) his belief at every opportunity because they ain’t coming to the building.