Preach Magazine Issue 3 - Preaching and the Holy Spirit | Page 4

4 WELCOME From your editor… COUNCIL OF REFERENCE David Bracewell – Zoe Ministry (zoeministry.co.uk); author; and previously Rector of Saint Saviour’s Church, Guildford. Kate Bruce – Director of the Centre for Communication and Preaching, Deputy Warden and Tutor in Homiletics, St John’s College, Durham University. Charlie Cleverly – Rector of St Aldate’s, Oxford, one of the UK’s leading Anglican churches and part of the New Wine network, with a strong student contingent. He is the author of several books, most recently Epiphanies of the Ordinary. Malcolm Duncan – Chair of the Spring Harvest Planning Group, Senior Minister of Gold Hill Baptist Church, Founder and Director of Church and Community. Andy Frost – Director of Share Jesus International. I n his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote that he did not rely on eloquence, human wisdom or persuasive words when he proclaimed the gospel to them, but rather on a ‘demonstration of the Spirit’s power’ (2:4, NIV). All preachers at the very least pay lip service to the role of the Holy Spirit when they preach, but what does this actually mean? As Jason Clark says, ‘Christians are not to believe or practice Holy Spirit possession’. The Spirit speaks through us in some sense, but clearly not by taking over the use of our mouths. In this issue, we explore how this preaching partnership between the preacher and the Holy Spirit works out – the how, the why, the when and the where. As Ruth Gee puts it, ‘we must preach as those who are open to the Holy Spirit and we must be sensitive to the response of the congregation as the Spirit works in them. God’s wisdom is revealed through the Spirit who alone comprehends the things that are truly God’s’. Looking ahead to the autumn, the next issue of Preach will address preaching and new media. How is the gospel being preached online? Are there ways technology can enhance LWPT8693 Preach Magazine - Issue 3 v3 REPRO.indd 4 the way we communicate biblical truth? Perhaps you think it is best to stick to simple, clear and enduring preaching techniques? Whatever your thoughts, as always, we’d love to hear from you. IN THIS ISSUE, WE EXPLORE HOW THIS PREACHING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PREACHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS OUT – THE HOW, THE WHY, THE WHEN AND THE WHERE. Ruth Gee – President of Methodist Conference 2013/14 and Methodist minister. Richard Littledale – Baptist minister, author and broadcaster. Mark Meynell – Associate Director, Langham Partnership International; author and cultural commentator. Ruth Valerio – Academic; activist; author. Churches and Theology Director, A Rocha UK. Preach resources, available in print and online, are provided by LWPT. Editor Jo Swinney Design Adept www.adeptdesign.co.uk Printing Moorleys Print and Publishing Editorial office The Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust PO Box 2352, Watford, Herts WD18 1PY T 01923 231811 F 01923 296899 E [email protected] W preachweb.org The Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust is an ecumenical Trust (Charity No. 1107967) Jo Swinney Editor Copyright the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust 2015. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for the reproduction of text from this publicati