Preach Magazine Issue 5 - Preaching to the unconverted | Page 4

4 WELCOME From your editor… E vangelistic preaching does not just belong at large rallies or outreach events. It is not necessary to stand on street corners, or to broadcast your sermons over the supermarket public address system, or to go to a far-flung ‘unreached’ tribe to find people in need of convincing of the gospel’s truth and relevance. They are sitting right there in your church pews. Every time you preach, the likelihood is that you are preaching to the unconverted. In this issue, we are exploring the incredible opportunity to extend the Kingdom from the pulpit. It isn’t a specialist sub-section of the preaching ministry; it is something all preachers need to get good at. As Michael Green writes in his feature, ‘There is a crying need for us to emerge from our dugouts and strain every energy to pass on to others with love and enthusiasm the good news which has transformed our own lives.’ Looking ahead, our next issue will be celebrating the Christian legacy of Her Majesty the Queen, who turns 90 in 2016. A patron of LPMA, the charity from which LWPT was birthed, the Queen’s faith has been the foundation of her reign, with far reaching implications for our nation and the wider world. In thinking about how she has used her platform for good, we’ll be reflecting on our own influence and the legacy we hope to leave. 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 and author of several books, most recently Song of Songs. Ian Coffey – Vice Principal (Strategy) and Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands College. 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. 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. Calvin Samuel – Academic Dean of St John’s College and Director of Wesley Study Centre, Durham University. Have a very happy Christmas one and all. IN THIS ISSUE, WE ARE EXPLORING THE INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND THE KINGDOM FROM THE PULPIT. 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 publication for the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust promotional use only. For all other uses, please contact us.