Olford Center preaching classes big on-line hit with Missourians

By Brian Koonce

Staff writer

JEFFERSON CITY – Eighty men have been gathering together at various sites across Missouri on Monday nights and it’s not to watch football. They participated in the first round of classes taught by the Olford Center for Biblical Preaching based in Memphis, Tenn. and sent via the Internet to local association offices. A new round of cyber-classes will begin Jan. 29.

The Stephen Olford Center, based in Memphis, promotes biblical preaching and practical training for pastors. This latest round of custom-designed satellite classes in Missouri will focus on the essentials of expository preaching. Starting with the definition of expository preaching and teaching, this seminar will teach fundamental principles and practical procedures for the preparation and delivery of expository messages. The expositor, the exposition and the act of preaching and teaching will receive detailed attention. Lecturers will further emphasize personal holiness, the concept of incarnational preaching and the role of the Holy Spirit in the preaching of God’s Word.

The first round has been a rousing success, said George Roach, ministerial service specialist for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) and he has high hopes for the next round of classes.

“The turnout greatly exceeded our expectation,” he said.

Roach said he anticipated the classes would be full of mostly bi-vocational pastors but there was a mix of bi-vocational pastors, “fully-funded” pastors, Sunday School teachers and other laity in the 80 students spread across eight sites.

“I’m thrilled that such a variety of people chose to participate,” he said.

The classes will run from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday nights beginning Jan. 29 and lasting through March 5. Lecturers will include David L. Olford, the president of Olford Ministries; Ted Randall, Ken Easley and Roger Pascoe.

The cost for this six-session class is $160 which includes the connection fee and the association’s expenses. The courses are also heavily subsidized by Cooperative Program funds. Nine tentative association offices that will host the classes have been announced: Pulaski, Carroll-Saline, Franklin, Concord, St. Louis, Salt River, Charleston, Bethel, Tri-County and Jefferson. For more information or to sign up, contact your local association office.

A third round of classes is slated to take place sometime in the fall. Roach said he hopes to eventually have the classes available at up to 20 sites across Missouri.