They were preaching up a storm

They were preaching up a storm

Preaching workshop moves hearts, minds of pastors

By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer

December 13, 2005

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) “Preaching for Changed Lives,” workshop at Concord Baptist Church here Nov. 28-29, was an opportunity for nationally recognized Southern Baptists to instruct about 100 Missouri Baptist pastors on the art of preaching.

Roy Fish, distinguished professor of evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, and second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), spoke three times along with James Shaddix, pastor, Riverside Baptist Church, Denver. Shaddix is also a former preaching professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The host pastor, Monte Shinkle, did the leadoff session Nov. 28.

Participants received two books, Perimeters of Light, by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer, and The Passion Promise, by John Avant.

“I think it fulfilled its purpose of touching the head and the heart,” Fish said. “I believe that men were challenged intellectually, and I believe that their hearts were moved and warmed and stirred.”

MBC Executive Director David Clippard wanted the workshop to be very practical, offering tips on how to study, how to preach with passion, how to prepare a message, and ways to give an effective invitation.

“I’ve just been a full-time pastor since March, and I feel like this conference probably moved me ahead three to four years,” said Robert Harrison, pastor, First Baptist Church, Lancaster. “I got a lot out of it.”

Shinkle gave a down-home talk about how he likes to preach through entire books of the Bible like Luke and Romans.

Shaddix connected with his fellow pastors through an honest portrayal of how the very best preaching, despite being delivered by weak human vessels, is driven by a passion for the glory of God.

“I really appreciated the depth of Jim Shaddix,” said Herb Baker, pastor, Osage Hills Baptist Church, Osage Beach.

The liveliness of Shaddix and the scholarly wisdom of Fish made a deep impression on Jim Albers, pastor, First Baptist Church, Miller.

“It has reminded me that the passion comes from God, and the passion comes from my relationship with God,” Albers said. “I want to display that passion to my people.”

Ron Barker, spiritual awakening/personal evangelism specialist for the MBC, was delighted by how it all came together.

“We’ve brought the best, they’ve made us think, and they’ve stirred our hearts,” he said.