Preaching

LOCH A TUATH NEWS April 2002

As I survey the modern Christian church scene throughout the United Kingdom, and as I try to assess the role of our own congregation in modern Lewis, I become increasingly persuaded of the importance of preaching. You will forgive me if I spend a little while this month thinking of this topic.

Part of the reason I come to it is because I have just finished reading Dr R.T. Kendall's memoirs of his years at Westminster Chapel in succession to Martyn Lloyd-Jones. His book, In Pursuit of His Glory: My 25 years at Westminster Chapel is a fascinating account of a ministry in one of the premier pulpits in the land. Yet the book that begins by drawing attention to Dr Kendall's close relationship with his predecessor, goes on to show how Kendall was determined to turn Westminster away from the preaching centre it had once been, to becoming the church which some would argue it never was.

The tree, of course, is known by its fruit; and one result of the changes which have marked Westminster Chapel is that a leading charismatic pastor has recently been installed as Kendall's successor. For the reality is that the place which was once full under the expository ministry of Lloyd-Jones has been emptied under the new style of leadership which Dr Kendall represented.

Sometimes change is good, necessary and vital for survival. But I am not so sure that it is always good in the church. Amid the clamour for change that is so much a symptom of the fluid world in which we live, it is, perhaps, important to remind us of the nature of preaching. This paper has already carried reminiscences and studies of some of the preachers who have occupied the Back pulpit; but what about preaching itself? Why is it so vital to the health of the church? A church can survive without many things, but if it is not characterised by solid expository preaching, it will die.

Let's remind ourselves, first, that God made his Son a preacher. "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also," Jesus says in Luke 4:43, "for therefore am I sent". To belong to a church which meets in Jesus' name, worships according to Jesus' example, and exists to honour Jesus' person and work, is to belong to a society which has already placed a premium on preaching.

Let's remind ourselves, secondly, that preachers are Christ's gift to the church. He is risen from the dead, and he has given the church apostles, pastors, evangelists and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), so that the preaching of the Gospel will continue to bear testimony to the truth of the risen Lord.

Let's remind ourselves, thirdly, that God ordained long ago that it was through the foolishness of preaching that God would save men and women (1 Corinthians 1:21). And how foolish does preaching appear to be to the modern man, immersed as he is in the new world of audio and video communication! How foolish it appears to be to the modern church, sold as it often is to the spirit of the contemporary age in order to make the gospel attractive! Yet it remains the case that as Christ is preached through Word-based exposition, men and women are drawn to serve and follow Him.

I remain absolutely convinced that central to, and vital to, our very life, is the preaching ministry of our church. I remain convinced that there are some things that only preaching can do for people, to stir them in the depth of their souls and lift them above the temporalities of this world. I know that the church is more than preaching -- it is worship, fellowship, communion; it is having all things common with our fellow-believers. But it dare not be less than preaching. "Who, having been set apart to be a preacher, would stoop to be a king?"