Andy Rowell | Church Leadership Conversations

How do you preach about helping the poor?

Here is an email from one of my students and my response. 

Hi Andy!

I hope that your summer has been going well and that you are enjoying visiting practicum students! I am doing well here at ________Church in ________, and I actually gave my first ‘sermon" this past Wednesday night.  The thing is, I have to give another sermon this upcoming Wednesday, and I am scrambling to gather information that would be helpful.  I am going to be speaking on the sheep and the goats parable, but not from a view of judgment, but rather, I would like to focus more on the "unto the least of these" aspect of it, to encourage action in the jr. higher’s.  I was wondering if you could refer me to any resources or if you have any notes on the topic that you wouldn’t mind sharing with me?  That would be great! But if not, that’s ok too! Thank you so much!

~Name~

Dear _______,

Great for you preaching!  This is not an easy passage to exegete but it is indeed an inspiring one for us to serve the least of these in our paths.  The good samaritan might be a tad simpler if you want to go that route.  You don't have the judgment to worry about explaining.    

For Preaching Ideas and Illustration Inspiration:

§ Tony Campolo has a heart for serving the poor.  Any of his sermons would probably be inspiring.  They are at his website here.  Maybe start with "Missions: Getting Beyond the Kingdom of Ticky-Tack."  These sermons might give you some inspiration or illustrations.  We will likely meet with him on Capstone.  It is not specifically on Matthew 25.   

§ John Ortberg's sermon on 3/12/06 "The Church on Monday Morning" is also incredible.  It is about the people of the church getting out and making a difference for good in the community.  It is inspiring!  You can find his sermons here.  It is not specifically on Matthew 25. 

§ The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne  is also a great new book by a young person.  We will meet with him on Capstone.

Biblical Study:

§ Here are a list of good commentaries if you have the chance to get to Taylor's library.  Here are some Links to Lists of Good Commentaries  One of the Matthew commentaries by Craig Keener would be great.  He married an African woman and has a deep passion for justice and simplicity.  We will meet with him on Capstone.  Also D.A. Carson's commentary is solid.  He clarifies that it is not that your good works get you into the kingdom of heaven but rather: "The reason for admission to the kingdom in this parable is more evidential than causative."

§ Ron Sider's short book  Scandal Of The Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like The Rest Of The World? (Paperback)
by Ronald J. Sider would also give you some good stats and a good summary of the Bible material about serving the poor.

§ Here is my link to Bible study resources on the net.   

I'm glad you are preaching.  It takes a lot of time and it is easy to get discouraged in the preparation so hang in there! 

I would write out what you want to say in complete sentences so that you can basically read it.  Once you have it how you like it basically, then read it over to yourself 3-4 times outloud.  By the 4th time you will basically have it memorized and you will just need to glance down at it.  Writing it helps you have down exactly what you want to say and reading it a number of times helps you get ready to deliver it clearly.  Once you have studied hard, write strongly and passionately what you think.  This is your strength!  Call me on my cell if you need more help ________

Let you prayer be: "Lord I can't help but want to look good and impress people when I preach.  But more than anything, I want YOU to look good!  Please be glorified in what I say." 

I'm going to post my letter to you (without your name) on my blog.  Maybe someone else will have some good ideas.   

Grace and peace,

andy

Click on the category to the side entitled "Senior Capstone Trip" to find more posts about our January capstone trip to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. 

Links to Lists of Good Commentaries

When writing good Bible Studies, it can be tremendously helpful to look at a commentary on the passage you are studying. For example, it can be very helpful to read what Craig Blomberg said in his commentary on Matthew about Matthew 6:1-18. But which commentaries should you read? See below some links to some lists of recommended commentaries for each book of the Bible.

Denver Seminary Old Testament Bibliography 2003
Denver Seminary New Testament Bibliography 2003
Gordon-Conwell Seminary Bibliography

I also recommend:

Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. 9th ed. Kregel Academic & Professional, 2003. $13.

Reviewed positively in RBL and JETS

I started asking for commentaries for Christmas presents my senior year at Taylor and haven't stopped since!

Bibliography of Key Biblical Commentaries for Women in Ministry Issues

1 Timothy, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians and Genesis are the location for the main "problem passages" for women in ministry. Here are some of the most important commentaries on those books. 1 Timothy 2 Complementarian The Pastoral Epistles: A Commentary on the Greek Text (New International Greek Testament Commentary) (Hardcover)by George W. Knight Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (August 1, 1992)

Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 46, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (mounce) (Hardcover)by William D. Mounce
Nelson Reference (May 1, 2000)

The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus: God's Good News for the World (The Bible Speaks Today) (Paperback)by John R. W. Stott
InterVarsity Press (June 1, 2001)

The First and Second Letters to Timothy : A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Bible) (Hardcover)by Luke Timothy Johnson
Anchor Bible; 1st ed edition (March 20, 2001)

Egalitarian

The Pastoral Epistles: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary (International Critical Commentary Series) (Paperback)by I. Howard Marshall
T. & T. Clark Publishers, Ltd. (July 22, 2004)

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (Hardcover)by Walter L. Liefeld
Zondervan (August 1, 1999)

First and Second Timothy and Titus: Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (Hardcover)by Thomas C. Oden
J. Knox Press (November 1, 1989)

1-2 Timothy & Titus (IVP New Testament Commentary Series) (Hardcover)by Philip H. Towner
InterVarsity Press (May 1, 1994)

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (Paperback)by Gordon D. Fee
Hendrickson Publishers (April 1, 1989)

1 Corinthians 11; 14:34-35

Complementarian

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (New International Greek Testament Commentary) (Hardcover)by Anthony C. Thiselton
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (December 1, 2000)

1 Corinthians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)by David E. Garland
Baker Academic (November 1, 2003)

1 Corinthians (Hardcover)by Craig L. Blomberg
Zondervan (April 10, 1995)

Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14 (Paperback)by D. A. Carson
Baker Academic (October 1, 1987)
Egalitarian

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)by Gordon Fee
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (July 1, 1987)

1-2 Corinthians (New Cambridge Bible Commentary) (Hardcover)by Craig S. Keener
Cambridge University Press (June 13, 2005)

First Corinthians (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (Hardcover)by Richard B. Hays
Westminster John Knox Press (September 1, 1997)

Ephesians 5:21-33

Complementarian

Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)by Harold W. Hoehner
Baker Academic (January 1, 2003)

Egalitarian

The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)by F. F. Bruce
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (October 1, 1984)

Ephesians (IVP New Testament Commentary Series) (Hardcover)by Walter L. Liefeld
InterVarsity Press (March 1, 1997)

Ephesians (Hardcover)by Mr. Klyne Snodgrass
Zondervan (July 7, 1996)

Not Sure whether egalitarian or complementarian

The Letter to the Ephesians (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Hardcover)by Peter T. O'Brien Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (October 1, 1999)

Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 42, Ephesians (Hardcover)by Andrew T. Lincoln
Nelson Reference (November 6, 1990)

Ephesians: Translation and Commentary on Chapters 4-6 : Anchor Bible 34A (Anchor Bible) (Paperback)by Markus Barth
Anchor Bible (September 3, 1998)

Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (Hardcover)by Ralph P. Martin
Westminster John Knox Press (February 1, 1992)

Genesis 1-3

Genesis (Hardcover)by Bruce K. Waltke, Cathi J. Fredricks
Zondervan (August 1, 2001)

Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 1 Genesis 1-15 (wenham) 406pp (Hardcover)by Gordon J. Wenham
Nelson Reference (October 9, 1987)

Genesis: Interpretation : A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (Hardcover)by Walter Brueggemann
Westminster John Knox Press (March 1, 1982)

Genesis 1-11: A Continental Commentary (Hardcover)by Claus Westermann
Augsburg Fortress Publishers; 1st Fortress Press ed edition (May 1, 1994)

The Book of Genesis (New International Commentary on the Old Testament Series) 1-17 (Hardcover)by Victor P. Hamilton
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (November 1, 1990)

The New American Commentary: Genesis 1-11:26 (New American Commentary) (Hardcover)by Kenneth A. Mathews
Broadman & Holman Publishers (January 1, 1996)

Genesis (Hardcover)by Dr. John H. Walton
Zondervan (October 1, 2001)

Women in Ministry Bibliography

Egalitarian and Complementarian

Egalitarian: http://www.cbeinternational.org/

Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy (Paperback)by Ronald W. Pierce (Editor), Rebecca Merrill Groothuis (Editor), Gordon D. Fee (Editor)
InterVarsity Press; 2nd edition (August 1, 2005)
The most comprehensive, scholarly, and recent (2005) presentation of the biblical egalitarian view. Contra: The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood’s response at http://www.cbmw.org/journal/editions/10-1.pdf

Two Views on Women in Ministry (Paperback)by Craig Blomberg, Thomas R. Schreiner, James R. Beck, Ann L. Bowman, Linda L. Belleville, Craig Keener
Zondervan (June 1, 2001)
Excellent and updated essays by excellent scholars Linda Belleville and Craig Keener

Paul, Women, and Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul (Paperback)by Craig S. Keener
Hendrickson Publishers (November 1, 1992)
Craig Keener is an excellent commentator whose speciality is backgrounds. Make sure you get the version with the new 2004 preface.

A Mind for What Matters: Collected Essays (Paperback)by F. F. Bruce
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (November 1, 1990)
See chapter 17 "Women in the Church: A Biblical Survey." This essay is also available at the Christians for Biblical Equality website http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/free_articles/ffbruce.shtml

Listening to the Spirit in the Text (Paperback)by Gordon D. Fee
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (September 1, 2000)
See chapter 6: "Gender Issues: Reflections on the Perspective of the Apostle Paul."

Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry (Paperback)by Stanley J. Grenz, Denise Muir Kjesbo
InterVarsity Press (November 1, 1995)
A prolific evangelical theologian weighs in and summarizes the issues

Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis (Paperback)by William J. Webb
InterVarsity Press (May 1, 2001)
An excellent work exploring the important hermeneutical issues.

Gender & Grace: Love Work & Parenting in a Changing World (Paperback)by Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen
InterVarsity Press (May 1, 1990)
The classic work by the brilliant scholar asking how far psychological data supports the idea of natually different roles for men and women.

Women Leaders and the Church: 3 Crucial Questions (3 Crucial Questions) (Paperback)by Linda L. Belleville
Baker Books (March 15, 2000)
This is a fairly popular work. Her more technical work is in Discovering Biblical Equality and the Two Views book.

Dictionary of New Testament Background (Hardcover)by Craig A. Evans (Editor), Stanley E. Porter (Editor)
InterVarsity Press (November 1, 2000)
See Keener's articles on "Marriage," "Family and Household," and "Headcoverings."

Finally Feminist: A Pragmatic Christian Understanding of Gender (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology) (Paperback)by John G., Jr. Stackhouse
Baker Academic (December 1, 2005)

Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender Equality (Paperback)by Rebecca Merrill Groothuis
Baker Books (January 1, 1997)

Women Caught in the Conflict: The Culture War Between Traditionalism and Feminism (Paperback)by Rebecca M. Groothuis
Wipf & Stock Publishers (July 1, 1997)

Junia: The First Woman Apostle (Paperback)by Eldon Jay Epp
Augsburg Fortress Publishers (October 1, 2005)

A Woman's Place: House Churches In Earliest Christianity (Paperback)by Carolyn Osiek, Margaret Y. MacDonald, Janet H. Tulloch
Fortress Press (November 1, 2005)

The Journey Back to Eden : Restoring the Creator's Design for Women and Men (Paperback)by Glen G. Scorgie
Zondervan (October 1, 2005)

The Fall of Patriarchy: Its Broken Legacy Judged by Jesus & the Apostolic House Church Communities (Paperback)by Del Birkey
Fenestra Books (February 1, 2005)

Familiar "Leadership" Heresies Uncovered (Paperback)by Bruce C. E. Fleming
Wipf & Stock Publishers (January 1, 2005)

Putting Women in Their Place: Moving Beyond Gender Stereotypes in Church and Home (Paperback)by Joe E. Trull (Editor), Audra E. Trull (Editor)
Smyth & Helwys Publishing (June 1, 2003)

Woman Be Free (Paperback)by Patricia Gundry
Suitcase Books (June 1, 1977)

Courage And Hope: The Stories of Ten Baptist Women Ministers (Baptists) (Paperback)by Pamela R. Durso (Editor), Keith E. Durso (Editor)
Mercer University Press (September 30, 2005)

Instruments for His Glory: Releasing Women to Minister in Harmony with God and Manby Joyce Strong
Charisma House (July 1, 1999)

Is It I, Lord?: Discerning God's Call to Be a Pastor (Paperback)by James O. Chatham
Westminster John Knox Press (December 1, 2002)

A Time for Risking: Priorities for Women (Paperback)by Miriam Adeney
Multnomah Pub (July 1, 1987)

Middle:

Men and Women in the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership (Paperback)by Sarah Sumner
InterVarsity Press (March 1, 2003)

Complementarian: http://www.cbmw.org/

Two Views on Women in Ministry (Paperback)by Craig Blomberg, Thomas R. Schreiner, James R. Beck, Ann L. Bowman, Linda L. Belleville, Craig Keener
Zondervan (June 1, 2001)

The Feminist Gospel: The Movement to Unite Feminism With the Church (Paperback)by Mary A. Kassian
Crossway Books (April 1, 1992)

Man and Woman in Christian Perspective (Paperback)by Werner Neuer
Crossway Books; 1st U.S. ed edition (February 1, 1991)

Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood (Foundations for the Family Series) (Paperback)by Wayne A. Grudem (editor)
Crossway Books (November 1, 2002)

The Role of Women in Ministry Today (Paperback)by H. Wayne House
Thomas Nelson Inc (March 1, 1990)

Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth : An Analysis of More Than 100 Disputed Questions (Paperback)by Wayne Grudem
Multnomah (November 4, 2004)

Man and Woman in Christ: An Examination of the Roles of Men and Women in Light of Scripture and the Social Sciences (Hardcover)by Stephen B. Clark
Servant Pubns (June 1, 1980)

Leadership for Women in the Church (Paperback)by Susan Hunt, Peggy Hutcheson
Zondervan (October 20, 1991)

Equality in Christ?: Galatians 3:28 and the Gender Dispute (Paperback)by Richard Hove
Crossway Books (September 1, 1999)

Biblical Womanhood in the Home (Foundations for the Family Series) (Paperback)by Nancy Leigh Demoss (Editor)
Crossway Books (January 1, 2002)

Building Strong Families (Foundations for the Family Series) (Paperback)by Dennis Rainey (Editor)

The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective (Paperback)by Martha Peace
Focus Publishing (September 1, 1996)

Called to Womanhood: The Biblical View for Today's World (Focal Point) (Paperback)by Beth Impson
Crossway Books (June 1, 2001)

Where's Mom?: The High Calling of Wives and Mothers (Paperback)by Dorothy Kelley Patterson
Crossway Books (June 1, 2003)

The Feminist Mistake: The Radical Impact Of Feminism On Church And Culture (Paperback)by Mary Kassian
Crossway Books (May 30, 2005)

Different by Design (Macarthur Study Series) (Paperback)by John, Jr. MacArthur
Chariot Victor Publishing (June 1, 1994)

Different by Design: God's Master Plan for Harmony Between Men and Women in Marriage (Paperback)by H. Dale Burke
Moody Publishers (March 1, 2003)

Does Christianity Squash Women?: A Christian Looks at Womanhood (Paperback)by Rebecca Jones
Broadman & Holman Publishers (August 1, 2005)

Embracing Authority: Learning to Live Joyfully in God's World (Paperback)by John Kitchen
Christian Focus (September 1, 2002)

Gender Roles and the Bible: Creation, the Fall, and Redemption a Critique of Feminist Biblical Interpretation (Paperback)by Jack W. Cottrell
College Press Publishing Company (December 1, 1994)

God, Marriage, And Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation (Paperback)by Andreas Kostenberger, David W. Jones
Crossway Books (November 11, 2004)

Male Spiritual Leadership (Paperback)by F. Lagard Smith
21st Century Christian (October 1, 1998)

Men and Women, Equal Yet Different: A Brief Study of the Biblical Passages on Gender (Paperback)by Alexander Strauch
Lewis & Roth Publishers (September 1, 1999)

Pastoral Leadership for Manhood and Womanhood (Foundations of the Family) (Paperback)by Wayne A. Grudem (Editor), Dennis Rainey (Editor)
Crossway Books (February 1, 2003)

Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism (Paperback)by John Piper, Wayne A. Grudem (Editor)
Crossway Books (April 1, 1991)

Rocking the Roles: Building a Win-Win Marriage (Paperback)by Robert Lewis, William Hendricks
Navpress Publishing Group; Rev Update edition (January 1, 1999)

Role Relationships of Men and Women: New Testament Teaching (Paperback)by George W. Knight III
P & R Publishing (June 1, 1989)

What's the difference?: Manhood and womanhood defined according to the Bible (CBMW practical living series) (Unknown Binding)by John Piper
Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (January 1, 1989)

Women and Men in Ministry: A Complementary Perspective (Hardcover)by Robert L. Saucy (Editor), Judith Tenelshof (Editor)
Moody Publishers (May 1, 2001)

Women, Creation, and the Fall (Paperback)by Mary A. Kassian
Crossway Books (March 1, 1990)

Women and Ministry: What the Bible Teaches (Paperback)by Daniel M. Doriani
Crossway Books (April 1, 2003)

Women In The Church: An Analysis And Application Of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 (Paperback)by Andreas J. Kostenberger (Editor), Thomas R. Schreiner (Editor)
Baker Academic; 2nd edition (August 1, 2005)