A new dawn

To go back to Ichthus index, close this window

Official launch of LWPT at the close of LPMA Aggregate

The immediate Past President of the Methodist Church, the Rev Dr Neil Richardson, addressed Aggregate immediately after he and the chair of the LWPT trustees, Frank Pickles, lit the LWPT candle from the LPMA candle. The 'declaration of launch' of LWPT followed.

In his address to Aggregate, after the launch and the final session dealing with the LWPT Assembly meetings in 2006 and 2007, Dr Richardson led the 'Study Session' as the final session of Aggregate before the act of rededication. He spoke with authority and humour on the theme Preaching and Renewal of the Church. He stated that Preaching and Renewal had gone 'hand in hand' over the years in three ways:

The transforming potential of preaching
The dynamic potential of the Bible
The place of the Church in the purpose and provenance of God

Dr Richardson emphasised that, in this context, the Church is not a particular denomination but that which is built on 'solid rock'. The renewal of worship and the renewal of preaching belong together; one without the other leads to ineffectiveness. Nonetheless, he maintained that we have to be aware of possible objections against preaching put forward from the cultural and social position of contemporary society. Four possible objections are:

Attention spans of people today tend to be short, often only two or three minutes. People tend to hear only what they want to hear, Sermons may well vary in length, and a regular 'diet' of three-minute sermons is a poor diet. Spans within 'all age' worship may vary somewhat. It may be appropriate to break a sermon into a number of parts. A preacher may be a 'visual aid' in that a factor could be the 'communication of truth through personality'. Leaders of political parties now recognise that the message and the messenger belong together; this is so in preaching.
Modern society is unappreciative of `monologues' and preaching should not be classified so. Paul does not put rhetorical questions in his epistles; he articulates questions that people really do ask. There may be passages that are difficult to explain and where obvious questions have to be dealt with, for example on Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. If we articulate the questions that people have, then preaching will not be a mere monologue.

Aggregate stands to sing during the Act of Rededication, the final act of LPMA Aggregate 2005

What preachers think that they are saying can be different from what a congregation is hearing.
Authorities are often seen to have had their day preachers are often seen to stand 'six feet above criticism'! Although there is no place for authoritarian preaching, authoritative preaching is different as we wrestle with Scripture, show that we care for people and help them keep in touch with God and the Lord Jesus. Certainly, the Lord Jesus preached with authority.

Dr Richardson then posed the question What is preaching and what is special about it? He presented two facts. First, preaching is an `art form' where we seek to present a message dynamically to gain and hold the attention of people. We should preach with `style', in that we have something to say and say it as simply as possible, therefore we should be able to summarise a sermon in a single sentence. Delivery is important; we should use technology (such as amplification) so as to use words well to the glory of God. Second, whenever we preach we offer a public proclamation and should aim to present good news.

In summary, Dr Richardson spoke of preaching at its heart being concerned with a proclamation of the Lord Jesus so that faith is awakened or re-awakened. We should present the `old story' in ever new ways, so as to communicate the 'Light of God' and the 'Life of God' through Jesus Christ. Our preaching should appeal to the whole person, both mind and heart. Dr Richardson reminded us that we preach in a culture and society where preaching is regarded generally as unsatisfactory.

Dr Richardson concluded with a reference to the doxology at the end of Ephesians Chapter 3. God is able to do more than we ask or think according to the power at work in us. Therefore, preaching should be about both challenge and encouragement.

Dr Richardson then answered questions relating to training of young people, the importance of excellence, the use of drama, use of language and the application of Scripture.

Aggregate recorded its appreciation to Dr Richardson.