Why Johnny Can't Preach Part 1

As I have recently started a new book, Why Johnny Can't Preach by T David Gordon, I thought it would be nice at least for myself to take down some observations of mine while reading through it. I have only started the first chapter but here are somethings I have noticed so far. 

First I seem to agree on every point so far. I think Gordon has hit the nail on the head as they say. He addresses the number one problem I find in most every church I attend. People cannot preach these days. It disturbs me even more when I hear bad preaching continually at a seminary chapel where the cream of the crop is supposed to be. If the cream of the crop can't preach how can we have confidence that anyone does. 

Second I agree with him that maybe a little more than one percent of preachers out there can preach. People continually accept bad preaching because the pastor does so much other stuff excellently but don't we wish that it was the other way around. I wish for once I would find someone who would say man the preaching here is excellent but he could do better with visitation and some other things. I mean have you ever heard that in your life?!? I think Christianity today would be better off if it were so.

So far in my short read of the book he addresses a problem that dearly needs addressing. He seems to go about it in a civil manner leaving out any slandering or malicious attitude. He seems calm cool and collected and taking head on a great problem of our day. I think this book should be in every persons hands who even thinks about ministry. I pray the rest of the book will go as well as the intro and first couple of pages. If you've read it let me know what you think about it.

M Burgin

Christ-Centered?

How do you classify what is Christ-Centered? How can you tell who is Christ-Centered? This past week on the White Horse Inn the guys talk about the Reveal Study and Willow Creek. These guys continue to impress me and force me to think about the Gospel and what is really is. Growing up as an evangelical the more you did, whether that was attend church or different groups or went out and shared your faith with complete strangers, the more Christ-Centered you were. At the end of the Willow Creek study they have come to the same conclusion. The more Christ-Centered someone becomes the more they do by themselves and the less they need the church. Christianity comes back to exactly what the Pharisees thought that Israel was about, do more and try harder. This seems to be the exact opposite of what true Christianity is about. Christ-Centered Christianity is about what Christ and God have done not what we do. It is that we cannot do anything to please our Holy Father so we need someone to take our place and we stand before God not because we have done good but because Christ has. Anyway if you don't already listen to these guys you should check them out here http://www.whitehorseinn.org