The Primacy and Passion of Preaching

The following report is written by Pastor Kyle Warren of Lisnagleer Baptist Church, Co.Tyrone, who serves as a member of the Men for Ministry Committee:

On Saturday 3rd March over 50 men met in the Baptist Centre (Moira) for the inaugural Men for Ministry conference. The spectrum of those present ranged from those who have been involved in pastoral ministry for many years to those who were contemplating beginning to preach in their own local church.

After Pastor Jim Byers opened the meeting in prayer, Pastor Robert Murdock (Emmanuel) gave a very challenging address to those present on the topic of 'The Primacy of Preaching'. He spoke from 2Timothy 4:1-5 concerning Paul's charge to Timothy to recognize the importance and responsibility of preaching the Word of God. He reminded us that preachers today, just like Timothy, have been entrusted with a sacred duty. Preaching is the divinely ordained means of communicating God's message to the world and therefore preachers must acknowledge that they are spokesmen of the King of kings. Those who have the solemn but privileged responsibility of handling God's Word must never forget that it is the Saviour not the servant, the message not the messenger, that is important. Sadly today there is the tendency for some to waver in their worship from the preaching of God's Word and be influenced by modern trends, but all of us must grasp the need for the primacy of preaching in church life. Pastor Murdock spoke about the Scriptures and his own experiences with great passion, and all present were deeply enthused as we waited for Pastor David McMillan (Windsor) to then speak on the topic of 'The Passion for Preaching'.

We were not disappointed! He explained that a passion for preaching flows from a passion for the Word of God. Preachers also require a passion for people. Preaching is about reaching hearts and minds with the Word of God so that lives and actions conform to the will of God. Above all, a passion for preaching requires a passion to know Jesus Christ. Pastor McMillan ended by making reference to Ephesians 3:17 which tells us that Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust Him more and more. A rich time of fellowship was had by all, and the men left instilled with a deeper hunger to know and proclaim the Word of God.

Another conference has been arranged for the autumn on Saturday 6th October 2007. It will be led by Pastor Edwin Ewart (Vice Principal, Irish Baptist College) and will take the form of an exegesis and exposition workshop. This may sound very complicated but is nothing to be scared of! Could I strongly encourage all those who have an interest in proclaming God's Word to make a note of this date in your diary. The training and fellowship are not to be missed!