Does Your Preaching Pass The Rock and The Reed Challenge?

Does Your Preaching Pass The Rock and The Reed Challenge?

Author: Mike Neglia November 12, 2024 Duration: 45:13

In this episode of the Expositors Collective Podcast, Mike Neglia interviews Dr. Douglas D. Webster, professor of pastoral theology and preaching at Beeson Divinity School. Dr. Webster reflects on his personal journey into preaching, sharing his early experiences and the wisdom he gained from seasoned pastors. They discuss the prophetic and pastoral aspects of preaching, with Dr. Webster emphasizing the necessity of taking the Word of God seriously in every sermon. He shares insights into the different preaching styles, comparing "rock quarry" and "art gallery" approaches to communication.


Dr. Webster also explores the unique challenges of preaching parables and the importance of understanding their Old Testament roots. They discuss the balance between engaging the audience and ensuring faithfulness to the text, highlighting the contrast between implicit and explicit communication in preaching. Personal preaching styles, the importance of manuscripting, and the role of self-denial in delivering effective messages are central themes throughout the conversation.

Douglas D. Webster (Ph.D., University of St. Michael’s College) is professor of pastoral theology and preaching at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University. He served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego for fourteen years, as well as churches in New York City, Denver, and Toronto. His books include Follow the Lamb: A Pastoral Approach to The Revelation and Preaching Hebrews: The End of Religion and Faithfulness to the End


Resources Mentioned:

More Than a Sermon: https://blog.lexhampress.com/2024/05/09/more-than-a-sermon-an-interview-with-doug-webster/

The Parables: Jesus's Friendly Subversive Speech:  https://www.kregel.com/douglas-d-webster/the-parables/

Hope, Suffering and Glory - CGN's recent conference based on 1 Peter:  https://cgn.org/2024archives/

Beeson Divinity School: https://www.samford.edu/beeson-divinity/ 

Fellow Beeson Professor Gerald Bray's episode about learning preaching from Chrysostom: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/pastoral-preaching-brevity-and-john-chrysostom-gerald-bray 


For 30% off More than A Sermon, visit: www.LexhamPress.com/Expositors in the month of November for a 30% discount


Support the Cause: 

https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective


For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com 


The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/


Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective


Mike Neglia hosts Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation, a space dedicated to the craft of clearly opening the Scriptures. Rather than offering abstract theory, this podcast grounds itself in the tangible realities faced by pastors and teachers every week. You'll hear genuine conversations that feel like pulling up a chair in a mentor's study, where experienced practitioners discuss the challenges and joys of preparing messages that faithfully explain the biblical text. Episodes often take the form of interviews or practical workshops, delving into the nuances of effective communication for diverse settings like church pulpits, youth groups, or women's ministries. The collective wisdom shared here is about more than just structure; it's about the spiritual discipline of listening to a passage before speaking on it, ensuring the sermon's heart beats in rhythm with the Bible's intent. Tuning into this podcast provides a form of ongoing coaching, a resource for anyone who wants their teaching to be both deeply rooted and readily understood. It’s for those who believe that the careful work of exposition is a profound act of service, and who are looking for a companion on that journey.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation
Podcast Episodes
Inductive Bible Study - Cody King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:04
Cody King is a Bible teacher, church planter and pastor with a passion for expository preaching. He began teaching the Bible in 1998 and graduated from Calvary Chapel Bible College in 2002. He served as one of the foundi…
Preaching Teams, Generosity and Sharing the Pulpit - Ted Leavenworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
What does true generosity look like in the life of a preacher?In this conversation, Mike Neglia sits down with Ted Leavenworth of Reliance Church to talk about a culture of generosity in preaching ministry. Rather than g…
Christianese, Sainthood and Discourse Analysis - Peter Kenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:11
Mike sits down with Peter Patrick Kenny for a wide-ranging conversation about preaching, preparation, and pastoral ministry. They discuss sermons that cover thirteen chapters and sermons that focus on just two verses, th…
Leaving Mountaintops and Entering Valleys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
In this fun interview between neighbours, Mike speaks with Tadhg O'Connell about lessons that he has learned as a preacher, testimony-giver, camp-speaker, addiction-recovery-activist and community organiser. They speak a…
Read, Reread, and Be Faithful: Sermon Prep Essentials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:56
Dr Roy Collins is the kind of man many churches would love to have in their congregation: a retired pastor and professor who faithfully teaches the adult Sunday school class and serves as a steady, encouraging presence a…
Women Deserve Good Theology - Brenda Leavenworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:57
In this episode of the Expositors Collective Podcast, we are joined by Brenda Leavenworth for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about theology, leadership, and faithful service in the local church. Brenda is the…