Conference Report March 2006

Speaker: Rev.Bill Slack, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland

Venue: Falkirk Baptist Church

Morning Session 1200 - 1300

Preaching that connects

This session made reference to Acts 17:16 - 34 and considered the need for preaching to connect with people where they are.

Reference was made to the book "The Gospel Driven Church" by Ian Stackhouse where the following comment is made about preaching:

There is a wider negativity at the grass roots towards preaching; it has not survived well in the general development of charismatic evangelical ministry. In contrast to the more immediate appeal of worship and prophetic ministry, it has come a poor second, relegated to the category of cerebral.

Persuasive preaching has the following characteristics:

• It is birthed in passion
• It addresses contemporary issues
• It is always God-centred
• It helps people meet Jesus

Afternoon Session 1415 - 1530

Preaching that motivates

This session made reference to Acts 2:14 - 41 and considered the need for preaching to motivate the hearers to action. The following comment from Rick Warren was quoted:

If you are not preaching life application, then you are not really preaching. It may be a lecture; it may be a study; it may even be a commentary, but it is not preaching

Motivational preaching needed to be done:

• In the fullness of the Spirit
• By one who is concerned about their own personal holiness
• Leads to a response

Pesuasive preaching was compared to manipulative preaching.
A manipulative preacher deliberately plays on people's emotions in order to force the kind of response he wants.
A persuasive preacher pleads with and encourages people to make the kind of response they want.