by T.David Gordon
What I found fascinating in this short book on the problem of modern preaching is it’s relevance to what we do in youth ministry when we stand before a group and give a talk.
Gordon believes that modern preaching (generally speaking) has failed because preachers today cannot read texts carefully, cannot write coherently, and cannot distinguish between the significant and the insignificant. He blames the media for taking these skills from us because we don’t read and write carefully enough these days. Reading texts carefully is the skill we must develop to study scripture to the extent that we can really open it up to our listeners. Writing is the skill that enables us to organize our thoughts in a way that will be remembered. Distinguishing is the skill that helps us to discern the significant from the insignificant. The book is really a good quick read that anyone who communicates God’s truth will be challenged by. Interestingly, he refers on occasions to the Presbyterian church as his background but then at the end of the book it is noted that he currently worships in an Anglican Church.
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