In This Issue
NMI Highlight - Expect the Unexpected.
10 Things to Ask before You Post.
Regional Praise Reports and Prayer Requests!
Prayer Requested for Emerging Leaders in the Philippines and Across the Asia-Pacific.
Mango Tree Respite Center Reaches Out To Visually Impaired Children.
Halbrooks Praising God In The Midst of the Storm - He Has Answered Prayer.
Slogans that awakened the Church: What breaks your heart?
Community Transformation and New Believers Thanks to Community Based Healthcare.
Celebrating the Completion of PNC's Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center.
Some Solid Tips For Sermon Preparation.
Pastor Salvador Ofilanda of the Salcedo Church of the Nazarene, Passes.
Nazarene Theological College Intensives Promotion.
NYI opens 2 youth ministry academies in Mexico
Malawi churches celebrate aster after severe flood season
Olivet opens location in Indianapolis
WEF-funded scholarships provide education for pastors
MVNU offers M.Min + MBA Dual Degree program
Peace march calls for end to violence against foreigners
Jamaica center restores sight through medical procedures
Florida church helps provide shelter for unaccompanied minors
Global praise reports and prayer requests.
GMC employment opportunities.
In Memoriam
NMI Highlight
God is at work throughout our region.
When plans get changed, when we miss flights, or meetings, or work, before you get frustrated, look up. God may be using you to accomplish His perfect will.
This video is from New Guinea and is a great testimony of how two men used a situation that seemed frustrating at first, to plant a church.
God is able!
with our churches, the great things that God is doing on this region.
For more education resources check outNazarene Media Library or click on this link
10 THINGS TO ASK BEFORE YOU POST
Seventy-three percent of Americans have a social media profile. If you aren't posting to social media, your communication methods might be as outmoded as a rotary dial telephone. Obviously, social media offers instant access to people who might be looking for the very thing you have to offer.
Social media also builds valuable relationships. A post is a friendly nod, smile, or handshake to customers, colleagues, or staff. Today, a well written social media post can accomplish in seconds what might have taken hours or days to accomplish decades ago.
But, it's said that there are over 30 billion messages posted every day. How will yours reach the mind and heart of your intended receiver? Here are 10 things to ask before you post your social media message:
1. IS IT BENEFICIAL? What unique solution do you offer your recipient?
2. DOES IT LOOK TOO MUCH LIKE SPAM? Speak to persons not "target groups."
3. HAS IT BEEN DOUBLE-CHECKED FOR ACCURACY, GRAMMAR, AND SPELLING? Typos typecast.
4. IF FORWARDED, IS IT FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE? Your reputation often rides on the shoulders of another.
5. DOES IT CRITICIZE ANOTHER COLLEAGUE OR ORGANIZATION? Delete rather than denigrate.
6. DOES IT INCLUDE A PERSONAL GREETING? Build a friendship bridge with words.
7. DOES IT PROMPT INTERACTION AND RESPONSE? Sometimes a question beats an answer.
8. DOES IT GIVE CREDIBILITY TO YOUR ORGANIZATION? Locations change, image lasts forever.
9. DOES IT BRING ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE RECIPIENT? Will they be glad you wrote?
10. IS IT CONCISE RATHER THAN WORDY? Remember THAT message you didn't have time to read?
Whatever medium you use, make sure it's well done![Stan Toler]
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Regional Advisory Council Member's Wife Passes in Tragic Accident - UPDATE
Prayer Requested for Emerging Leaders in the Philippines and Across the Asia-Pacific!
Pastor Salvador Ofilanda of the Salcedo Church of the Nazarene, Passes
Halbrooks Praising God In The Midst of the Storm, "He Has Answered Prayer" Please Keep Praying!
The Holy Spirit moving in Myanmar as Leaders grasp hold of the definition of "Church!"
Most Up-to-Date Prayer Requests & Praise Reports for the Global Church - Prayer Mobilization Line.
Prayer Requested for Emerging Leaders in the Philippines and Across the Asia-Pacific!
Manila, Philippines
Emerging leaders from across the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific are meeting this week to develop strategies related to reaching the 4/14 window.Find out more and take a moment to pray.
Click here to see more of this story ...BLOG, FEATURE, NEWS, NYI, PHILIPPINE-MICRONESIA, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYER REQUESTED FOR EMERGING LEADERS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND ACROSS THE ASIA-PACIFIC!
Manila, Philippines: Prayer is being requested for selected young emerging leaders as they gather for two simultaneous events this week.
Five of our young emerging leaders (25 years and below) are now at a 4-14 Window Movement Youth Leadership Congress at an undisclosed location here on the Region. They are joining with Nazarene youth leaders from the Sealands, and other leaders from across the Asia-Pacific Region. The overall goal of this event is to inspire, challenge and equip young leaders in the Asia-Pacific Region to become key stakeholders in a holistic discipleship making movement.
District NYI Presidents from across the Philippines as well as selected leaders who attended the iConnect Youth Summit 2014, are now at the Philippine Field Office for a 3-day strategic planning and training on Transformational Leadership.
NYI Leaders meet at the Philippine Field Office for a 3 day training.
Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Sprit in the lives of our young leaders, and vision from the Lord.[Submitted: Stephen Gualberto – Philippine Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator.]
Mango Tree Respite Center Reaches Out To Visually Impaired Children.
Kingdom of Tonga
In many areas, those with disabilities are often shunned hidden from society. The Mango Tree Respite Center is serving as the hands and feet to these precious individuals.See how they have made a tremendous difference in the life of one little boy, William, who has struggled with a vision disability.
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES, NEWS
MANGO TREE RESPITE CENTER REACHES OUT TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN.
Kingdom of Tonga: An update from the Mango Tree Respite Center.
In the first week of January, Jeong-Seok and I attended a forum in Melbourne, Australia, regarding children with visual impairment. Representatives from Australia, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati came together to discuss and set up an action plan for 2015 – 2017.
Many children with impaired vision who live in Tonga are neglected by their parents and teachers at school, and eventually leave the school entirely due to bad grades. Saddened by this, we recently began helping visually impaired children.
William is a six-year-old visually impaired boy. Due to genetics, his father and most of his siblings are already losing their eyesight. Hino, William’s older sister, is learning Braille at our centre.
We decided to enroll William into an English speaking primary school. This is because it is difficult to learn Braille without knowing English. Thankfully, with the active help from the principal, William was able to enroll into an English speaking Christian primary school, and he was also greeted by a warm-hearted and helpful teacher at his assigned class.
William’s school fee is funded by the students from a college in New Zealand. We have made a tilted desk for William at our centre, and a reading desk that helps him read books at a closer distance by changing its height. We have also been providing him with transportation so he can safely go to school.
Every morning in our van, William happily says, “Good morning. Thank You.” When he arrives at school, his friends from his class come running out to welcome him.
Our vision is that through this assistance, William will grow up to become a warm-hearted young man who knows how to love and take care of others, but most of all, knows and accepts the love of our Lord and Savior. – In-Kwon Kim
Please continue to pray for the ongoing ministry of the Mango Tree Respite Center, those who are ministering, and those who are being ministered to. May the Lord be known by all who enter this center of Hope and Compassion.**** Follow this link for more information about the Mango Tree Respite Center.
Follow this link to an inspirational story...
Halbrooks Praising God In The Midst of the Storm - He Has Answered Prayer - Please Keep Praying!
Manila, Philippines
Liza Halbrooks with her husband Brooks and children
Walking this journey with incredible Faith, knowing that she rests in God's hands, Liza has been an inspiration to many.
Diagnosed with an inoperable B-Cell Lymphoma. She continues to keep her eyes on God as the one who provides for their every need, in answer to the prayers of people around the globe.BLOG, FEATURE, NEWS, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
HALBROOKS PRAISING GOD IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM – HE HAS ANSWERED PRAYER – PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!
Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Sprit in the lives of our young leaders, and vision from the Lord.[Submitted: Stephen Gualberto – Philippine Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator.]
Mango Tree Respite Center Reaches Out To Visually Impaired Children.
Kingdom of Tonga
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES, NEWS
MANGO TREE RESPITE CENTER REACHES OUT TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN.
Kingdom of Tonga: An update from the Mango Tree Respite Center.
In the first week of January, Jeong-Seok and I attended a forum in Melbourne, Australia, regarding children with visual impairment. Representatives from Australia, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati came together to discuss and set up an action plan for 2015 – 2017.
Many children with impaired vision who live in Tonga are neglected by their parents and teachers at school, and eventually leave the school entirely due to bad grades. Saddened by this, we recently began helping visually impaired children.
William is a six-year-old visually impaired boy. Due to genetics, his father and most of his siblings are already losing their eyesight. Hino, William’s older sister, is learning Braille at our centre.
We decided to enroll William into an English speaking primary school. This is because it is difficult to learn Braille without knowing English. Thankfully, with the active help from the principal, William was able to enroll into an English speaking Christian primary school, and he was also greeted by a warm-hearted and helpful teacher at his assigned class.
William’s school fee is funded by the students from a college in New Zealand. We have made a tilted desk for William at our centre, and a reading desk that helps him read books at a closer distance by changing its height. We have also been providing him with transportation so he can safely go to school.
Every morning in our van, William happily says, “Good morning. Thank You.” When he arrives at school, his friends from his class come running out to welcome him.
Our vision is that through this assistance, William will grow up to become a warm-hearted young man who knows how to love and take care of others, but most of all, knows and accepts the love of our Lord and Savior. – In-Kwon Kim
Please continue to pray for the ongoing ministry of the Mango Tree Respite Center, those who are ministering, and those who are being ministered to. May the Lord be known by all who enter this center of Hope and Compassion.**** Follow this link for more information about the Mango Tree Respite Center.
Follow this link to an inspirational story...
Halbrooks Praising God In The Midst of the Storm - He Has Answered Prayer - Please Keep Praying!
Manila, Philippines
Walking this journey with incredible Faith, knowing that she rests in God's hands, Liza has been an inspiration to many.
Diagnosed with an inoperable B-Cell Lymphoma. She continues to keep her eyes on God as the one who provides for their every need, in answer to the prayers of people around the globe.BLOG, FEATURE, NEWS, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
HALBROOKS PRAISING GOD IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM – HE HAS ANSWERED PRAYER – PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!
Manila, Philippines: Many of you have been following along as one of our long-time staff and members of the Philippine team has been battling an inoperable B-Cell Lymphoma.
Liza Halbrook, long-time member of the Philippine / Regional Nazarene Team.
Liza Halbrook has been walking this journey with incredible Faith, knowing that she rests in God’s hand. She has been an inspiration to so many.
When the scope of the tumor and the incredible amount of money necessary to treat it was first made known, Nearly $4,000 USD every 21 days, it seemed like an insurmountable hurdle.
Then came the hope that she was going to be entered into a trial treatment program, which would cover all of her medicine expenses. Shortly thereafter came the news that her tumor was progressing too rapidly and the program would not be ready in time for her.
Her husband Brooks has been working through every possible approach to treatment, and many around the world have been praying.
Brooks sent the following praise today, “We are praising God for what He gave us today. I was able to get from Government Charity, the medicine Rituximab that we needed for Liza. One session amounting to 100,000 Php in total (roughly $2,300 USD). “
If you would like to follow along and see how you can be a part, click on this link.
Please continue to keep the Halbrook family in your prayers!
Slogans that awakened the Church: What breaks your heart?
Engage Magazine
More from the founder of World Vision here!Slogans that awakened the Church: What breaks your heart?By Howard Culbertson on April 15, 2015
Liza Halbrook has been walking this journey with incredible Faith, knowing that she rests in God’s hand. She has been an inspiration to so many.
When the scope of the tumor and the incredible amount of money necessary to treat it was first made known, Nearly $4,000 USD every 21 days, it seemed like an insurmountable hurdle.
Then came the hope that she was going to be entered into a trial treatment program, which would cover all of her medicine expenses. Shortly thereafter came the news that her tumor was progressing too rapidly and the program would not be ready in time for her.
Her husband Brooks has been working through every possible approach to treatment, and many around the world have been praying.
Brooks sent the following praise today, “We are praising God for what He gave us today. I was able to get from Government Charity, the medicine Rituximab that we needed for Liza. One session amounting to 100,000 Php in total (roughly $2,300 USD). “
If you would like to follow along and see how you can be a part, click on this link.
Please continue to keep the Halbrook family in your prayers!
Slogans that awakened the Church: What breaks your heart?
Engage Magazine
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, pleaded for us to allow our hearts to be broken by something far more important than politics or sports.
Pierce pleaded with believers to have their hearts so in tune with God's heart that their hearts would be broken by those things that break God's heart.More from the founder of World Vision here!Slogans that awakened the Church: What breaks your heart?By Howard Culbertson on April 15, 2015
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart" -- Bob Pierce, World Vision founder & Samaritan Purse Founder
I have Christian friends whose hearts get broken when things in the political arena do not turn out like they had hoped. I know believers whose hearts get broken over the ups and downs of their favorte sports teams. Some people’s hearts get broken by the outcomes of television programs.
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision & Samaritan Purse, pleaded for us to allow our hearts to be broken by something far more important than all those things. Pierce pleaded with believers to have their hearts so in tune with God’s heart that their hearts would be broken by those things that break God’s heart.
What breaks God’s heart? I do not think it is the outcome of a sporting event or a television show or even a particular election or the direction the stock market is going. Clearly, God’s heart is broken by the fact that so many of His human creations are estranged from Him. For instance, He intimated to Jonah that the lost people in Nineveh broke his heart (Jonah 4:11). Remember also that Jesus wept over the waywardness of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
Bob Pierce was an American evangelist who, on a trip to Asia in the early 1950s, was overcome by the plight of homeless orphans he encountered. He decided to start an organization to do something about it. That organization was World Vision and then after World Vision he founded the Samaritan Purse.
Thereafter, as Pierce promoted the ministry of World Vision, he shared his prayer, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break God’s heart.” That would be a good prayer for us too, wouldn’t it?
Community Transformation and New Believers Thanks to Community Based Healthcare!
West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND NEW BELIEVERS THANKS TO COMMUNITY BASED HEALTHCARE!
West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea: God is moving in a mighty way across Papua New Guinea, through the instrument of Nazarene Health Ministries and Community Based Health Care (CBHC).
I have Christian friends whose hearts get broken when things in the political arena do not turn out like they had hoped. I know believers whose hearts get broken over the ups and downs of their favorte sports teams. Some people’s hearts get broken by the outcomes of television programs.
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision & Samaritan Purse, pleaded for us to allow our hearts to be broken by something far more important than all those things. Pierce pleaded with believers to have their hearts so in tune with God’s heart that their hearts would be broken by those things that break God’s heart.
What breaks God’s heart? I do not think it is the outcome of a sporting event or a television show or even a particular election or the direction the stock market is going. Clearly, God’s heart is broken by the fact that so many of His human creations are estranged from Him. For instance, He intimated to Jonah that the lost people in Nineveh broke his heart (Jonah 4:11). Remember also that Jesus wept over the waywardness of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
Bob Pierce was an American evangelist who, on a trip to Asia in the early 1950s, was overcome by the plight of homeless orphans he encountered. He decided to start an organization to do something about it. That organization was World Vision and then after World Vision he founded the Samaritan Purse.
Thereafter, as Pierce promoted the ministry of World Vision, he shared his prayer, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break God’s heart.” That would be a good prayer for us too, wouldn’t it?
Community Transformation and New Believers Thanks to Community Based Healthcare!
West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
The impact of Community Based Health Care is being seen in Papua New Guinea, with Four Baptisms and Twenty-Five new believers receiving membership in the local Church of the Nazarene.
See how this transformation has been taking place. God is truly at work. BLOG, FEATURE, MEDICAL MINISTRY, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWSCOMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND NEW BELIEVERS THANKS TO COMMUNITY BASED HEALTHCARE!
West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea: God is moving in a mighty way across Papua New Guinea, through the instrument of Nazarene Health Ministries and Community Based Health Care (CBHC).
A hand washing station helps to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
In partnership with the local church and community, CBHC continues to impact the community through holistic preventative health training programs. The result has truly been a holistic transformation of the community!
“There has been a significant decrease in the incidence of preventable diseases, with a large decrease in the number of people who are becoming ill and or dying,” says Matthew Galman, CBHC Country Director.Community Based Health Care...You Probably Never Thought About it Like This!
In partnership with the local church and community, CBHC continues to impact the community through holistic preventative health training programs. The result has truly been a holistic transformation of the community!
“There has been a significant decrease in the incidence of preventable diseases, with a large decrease in the number of people who are becoming ill and or dying,” says Matthew Galman, CBHC Country Director.Community Based Health Care...You Probably Never Thought About it Like This!
CBHC Country Director, Matthew Galman, teaches during CBHC outreach.
Even greater than the impact on physical well being, has been the spiritual transformation! Thanks in large part to the outreach of CBHC, a significant number of people have given their hearts to Christ and have begun to participate in the local church.
Four baptisms have recently been conducted with more than 25 new believers receiving membership into the Church. Praise God!
The transformation within this community has been ongoing over a period of five years. The seed has been planted and the harvest is beginning to take place.
“While the financial cost of travel to this area of Papua New Guinea is excessive, the impact being made and the lives won to the Kingdom have been well worth the cost,” states Galman.
May all the glory be to God!
Special thank you to Matthew Galman, Director, Community Based Health Care, Papua New Guinea.
Prayer Request:
Please continue to pray for the ongoing work of CBHC throughout Papua New Guinea, and for the leadership of the Holy Spirit as communities are transformed.
Celebrating the Completion of PNC's Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center
Philippine Nazarene College, Benguet, Philippines
Preacher's Magazine
Even greater than the impact on physical well being, has been the spiritual transformation! Thanks in large part to the outreach of CBHC, a significant number of people have given their hearts to Christ and have begun to participate in the local church.
Four baptisms have recently been conducted with more than 25 new believers receiving membership into the Church. Praise God!
The transformation within this community has been ongoing over a period of five years. The seed has been planted and the harvest is beginning to take place.
“While the financial cost of travel to this area of Papua New Guinea is excessive, the impact being made and the lives won to the Kingdom have been well worth the cost,” states Galman.
May all the glory be to God!
Special thank you to Matthew Galman, Director, Community Based Health Care, Papua New Guinea.
Prayer Request:
Please continue to pray for the ongoing work of CBHC throughout Papua New Guinea, and for the leadership of the Holy Spirit as communities are transformed.
Celebrating the Completion of PNC's Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center
Philippine Nazarene College, Benguet, Philippines
Over the past several weeks, there have been many requests for prayer for the team and project at Philippine Nazarene college.
Those prayers were answered with the completion and dedication of the Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center, celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 17th.
Follow the link to an inspirational video detailing the ministry of
PNC and the projects that still remain. Is God calling you to the mountains of the Philippines?
BLOG, CURRENT, EDUCATION, EVENTS, FEATURE, NEWS, PHILIPPINE-MICRONESIA, WORK AND WITNESS
CELEBRATING THE COMPLETION OF PNC’S TECHNOLOGY AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING CENTER
Philippine Nazarene College, Benguet, Philippines: Over the last two months, we have been giving updates on the construction of Philippine Nazarene College’s (PNC) Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center.
In February, the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene, together with Nazarene Compassionate Resource Warehouse and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) Canada, provided all of the supplies and equipment for the buildings, including packing and shipping of the container which brought the disassembled buildings to the Philippines. New Vocational Skills Training Center coming to Philippine Nazarene College!
Toward the end of March, a Work & Witness (W&W) team from the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene began arriving at PNC to help out with the construction. We have seen photos of team members hard at work, and the structure taking form at a truly remarkable rate! Throughout this journey, prayers were requested for the health and safety of the members, for the mission to be filled with the Holy Spirit and for the training center to have Kingdom impact. Work and Witness Team making a difference at PNC.
Team from Canada nears completion of technology and vocational skills training center.
The wait is finally over!
On April 17, a dedication service was held to celebrate the completion of PNC’s Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center.
Members of the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene Work & Witness team, PNC faculty and student body and other guests attended the well-celebrated event. PNC prepared a short program, where key people were asked to say a few words about the project. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the training center, and everyone finally saw the completed building for the first time.
The expressions of enthusiasm and joy were priceless. As a group, the center was prayed for and blessed, that it might serve its purpose.
People also took time to write their message of thanks to the W&W team on a tarpaulin poster. The event was capped off with a simple meal shared by the attendees.
The completion of this project is a living proof that when people work together in His name, all things are possible. Thank you for your prayers.
The Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center is just one of the many projects that can help the faculty and students of PNC. With your generosity and passion for ministry, more plans can be put into action.
Let us continue to pray that Jesus will touch more hearts and individuals will answer their calling to ministry and to partner with us to make PNC an even better avenue for education and spiritual formation.
Philippine Nazarene College Work and Witness Promo from T Aebischer on Vimeo.
Sermon PreparationPNC and the projects that still remain. Is God calling you to the mountains of the Philippines?
BLOG, CURRENT, EDUCATION, EVENTS, FEATURE, NEWS, PHILIPPINE-MICRONESIA, WORK AND WITNESS
CELEBRATING THE COMPLETION OF PNC’S TECHNOLOGY AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING CENTER
Philippine Nazarene College, Benguet, Philippines: Over the last two months, we have been giving updates on the construction of Philippine Nazarene College’s (PNC) Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center.
In February, the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene, together with Nazarene Compassionate Resource Warehouse and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) Canada, provided all of the supplies and equipment for the buildings, including packing and shipping of the container which brought the disassembled buildings to the Philippines. New Vocational Skills Training Center coming to Philippine Nazarene College!
Toward the end of March, a Work & Witness (W&W) team from the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene began arriving at PNC to help out with the construction. We have seen photos of team members hard at work, and the structure taking form at a truly remarkable rate! Throughout this journey, prayers were requested for the health and safety of the members, for the mission to be filled with the Holy Spirit and for the training center to have Kingdom impact. Work and Witness Team making a difference at PNC.
Team from Canada nears completion of technology and vocational skills training center.
The wait is finally over!
On April 17, a dedication service was held to celebrate the completion of PNC’s Technology and Vocational Skills Training Center.
The expressions of enthusiasm and joy were priceless. As a group, the center was prayed for and blessed, that it might serve its purpose.
The completion of this project is a living proof that when people work together in His name, all things are possible. Thank you for your prayers.
Let us continue to pray that Jesus will touch more hearts and individuals will answer their calling to ministry and to partner with us to make PNC an even better avenue for education and spiritual formation.
Philippine Nazarene College Work and Witness Promo from T Aebischer on Vimeo.
Preacher's Magazine
...The next step is one of the most useful I have found.
I write the entire sermon in one paragraph of 3-5 sentences. I've found that if the message cannot be summed up in that short space, then I probably have not yet wrestled with the text to its heart.
Click Here - and read more tips...
I would like to briefly outline the process I use to prepare a sermon. For the sake of time I will bypass the issues of selecting a pericope, and theological study, which are assumed. First, I attempt to find the convictional clash, understanding convictions as deeply held beliefs about the way in which the world operates, arising from the traditions we claim. In this passage I believe the convictional clash takes place between Christ who contends the Kingdom of God is still arriving even as it is present, and Peter, who contends that the Kingdom has arrived in full.
Next, I can write what the passage says about God, which I found to be that God often leads us to places of suffering.
I then, search for congregational blocks, which are those things that I understand because of education or experience in which a parishioner may need explanation. Some examples within this sermon would be the context of messianic expectation, Peter’s role in speaking for all of the disciples, issues related to Jesus’ phrase “get behind me”, and the continued cycles of expectation and recognition which are in all aspects of life.
The next step is one of the most useful I have found. I write the entire sermon in one paragraph of 3-5 sentences. I’ve found that if the message cannot be summed up in that short space, then I probably have not yet wrestled with the text to its heart. My paragraph for this passage was as follows:
We and Peter act in the certainty that the Kingdom of God has arrived, as indeed it has. Yet, Christ is persistent that the Kingdom of God is still at hand, and desires to lead us into the dangerous places in which the Kingdom of God seems far away. At issue lies the question, will we live only in recognition of what God has done, or will we participate also in the dirty and dangerous work of what is to come?
From here the actual writing begins with an introduction, which simply establishes the theme (which should look a lot like the convictional clash), and a conclusion.
Next, I write an outline for the sermon, which seeks to draw the hearer into the conflict of the passage, establishing first one conviction (here it is that the Kingdom of God has arrived), and then confronting it with the contrary (that the Kingdom of God is yet at hand). The parishioners need to recognize that the conflict in the passage is the same conflict that is in their lives. This is often accomplished by two techniques. The first is naming the issue in the world. For instance in this sermon when I spoke of Peter and the disciples seeking to portray the kingdom as complete, I then named places in which we often see the same conviction played out in our world by commenting on underlying misconceptions about giving, Christian safety, and the nature of our relationships. The second technique is the use of illustrations, which are essential. One temptation here is always to write the sermon around a great illustration I want to use, rather than vice-a-versa. In order to combat this, the illustrations are the last thing I add to the outline. Finally, I’m ready to sit down and write the sermon proper, in which I aim to end up between 8-10 pages double spaced in order to hit the 20 minute mark in presentation.
One final note, is that I’ve found a limitless number of sermons may be written from any given passage. Scripture is rich, and the revelation of God is richer. However, a key to writing a sermon, which can be heard, is choosing to preach just one sermon at a time. Undoubtedly, many can see that there are many aspects of the passage, which I did not address. To do so often clouds the convictional clash, and distracts or confuses the hearers.
Pastor Salvador Ofilanda of the Salcedo Church of the Nazarene, Passes
Central Philippines
The Ofilanda's barely escaped as both the parsonage and the church were completely destroyed in the devastating land fall of Super Typhoon Yolanda in November of 2013.
Click here for photos and more on Pastor Salvador...
Are You Looking for a ministry opportunity?
Manila, Philippines
Are you a Computer Geek?
Do you love writing code?
Do you speak computer languages foreign to most humans?
We need your help!
God has given each one of us different talents and we are responsible to use those talents wisely and for Him. If you recognize that God has given you the ability to speak another language and you have a love for technical details, you can join our team and together we can make Christlike Disciples in the world using technology.
Click here to read more about the incredible opportunities that could await you.
...
Next, I can write what the passage says about God, which I found to be that God often leads us to places of suffering.
I then, search for congregational blocks, which are those things that I understand because of education or experience in which a parishioner may need explanation. Some examples within this sermon would be the context of messianic expectation, Peter’s role in speaking for all of the disciples, issues related to Jesus’ phrase “get behind me”, and the continued cycles of expectation and recognition which are in all aspects of life.
The next step is one of the most useful I have found. I write the entire sermon in one paragraph of 3-5 sentences. I’ve found that if the message cannot be summed up in that short space, then I probably have not yet wrestled with the text to its heart. My paragraph for this passage was as follows:
We and Peter act in the certainty that the Kingdom of God has arrived, as indeed it has. Yet, Christ is persistent that the Kingdom of God is still at hand, and desires to lead us into the dangerous places in which the Kingdom of God seems far away. At issue lies the question, will we live only in recognition of what God has done, or will we participate also in the dirty and dangerous work of what is to come?
From here the actual writing begins with an introduction, which simply establishes the theme (which should look a lot like the convictional clash), and a conclusion.
Next, I write an outline for the sermon, which seeks to draw the hearer into the conflict of the passage, establishing first one conviction (here it is that the Kingdom of God has arrived), and then confronting it with the contrary (that the Kingdom of God is yet at hand). The parishioners need to recognize that the conflict in the passage is the same conflict that is in their lives. This is often accomplished by two techniques. The first is naming the issue in the world. For instance in this sermon when I spoke of Peter and the disciples seeking to portray the kingdom as complete, I then named places in which we often see the same conviction played out in our world by commenting on underlying misconceptions about giving, Christian safety, and the nature of our relationships. The second technique is the use of illustrations, which are essential. One temptation here is always to write the sermon around a great illustration I want to use, rather than vice-a-versa. In order to combat this, the illustrations are the last thing I add to the outline. Finally, I’m ready to sit down and write the sermon proper, in which I aim to end up between 8-10 pages double spaced in order to hit the 20 minute mark in presentation.
One final note, is that I’ve found a limitless number of sermons may be written from any given passage. Scripture is rich, and the revelation of God is richer. However, a key to writing a sermon, which can be heard, is choosing to preach just one sermon at a time. Undoubtedly, many can see that there are many aspects of the passage, which I did not address. To do so often clouds the convictional clash, and distracts or confuses the hearers.
Pastor Salvador Ofilanda of the Salcedo Church of the Nazarene, Passes
Central Philippines
Pastor Salvador Ofilanda of the Salcedo Church of the Nazarene, has transitioned to his home with our heavenly father.
Rev. Ofilanda was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene for more than 30 years. His wife is now pastoring Salcedo Church of the Nazarene.The Ofilanda's barely escaped as both the parsonage and the church were completely destroyed in the devastating land fall of Super Typhoon Yolanda in November of 2013.
Click here for photos and more on Pastor Salvador...
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