...and a few things you NEVER wanted to know! (Shhhhh!)

Ok, let's get it out of the way right up front, because I know you are wondering about it.

No, our domain name is not in the dictionary yet, but in my humble opinion, it should be. I know I could have just used a real word like hermeneutics or homiletics or exegetical in my domain name, but "preachology" says it all...and it's not quite as stuffy as those other words.

Let's be honest. Sometimes we like to use big words when we deliver a message, because it implies we are smart or at least "smarter than thou."

The problem is that nobody knows what we are talking about and that can't be good for their spiritual growth. Let's make it real because that works better in the real world with real people.

Now there's nothing wrong with those other words, the stuffy ones that is. I used them a lot when I was teaching in Bible colleges and Universities. Of course, I was a little more stuffy myself in those days. I'll tell you more about myself later.

But maybe we need a little less stuffiness in the ministry these days! I'm not saying tradition or formality is bad, in its proper place. I'm only saying it's wrong when it becomes more important than reality.

It's wrong when it hinders the development of real life relationships with those to whom we minister.

We need ministers who are willing to get their hands dirty and get involved with people, you know, human beings on planet earth. Those real world people are not going to come to us, up on the pedestal, where we have placed ourselves.

We must go to them and relate to them...no matter who they are, how they are, or where they are.

Preachology is from the words "preach" (to deliver a sermon) and "ology" (any science or branch of study).

Of course, it is also an "art" (a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation). (Definitions from Word Web-Princeton University)

So, my definition? "The science and art of preaching." It's a craft performed by a real person. And we will talk much more about that craft later.

My goal for this web site is to provide a virtual preaching handbook or manual on the ministry...at one location. I'm also hoping we can learn together how to make the ministry real.

In general, this online guidebook and workbook will include a discussion of THE MESSENGER, THE MESSAGE, and THE MINISTRY. We will also include a MISCELLANEOUS section for housekeeping. You can see what's coming by looking at these section pages. (Capitalized words on the navigation bar.)

Here's how it breaks down. Alright, in preachers terminology, here's the outline. And that would be the online outline, as it were. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

THE MESSENGER

• Who is the minister?
  
• How does he become a minister?
  
• What are his clergy qualifications?
  
• How does he prepare himself for Christian ministries?
  
• How does the servant of God continue in the ministry?
  ...and we'll answer much more.
  
  

THE MESSAGE

• What does the minister say?
  
• How does the minister study for his sermon?
  
• How does the minister write or build a sermon?
  
• How does the pulpiteer deliver his sermon?
  
• May I have some free sermons?
  (Ok, I'll go ahead and answer that one...yes, I'll give
  you plenty of free sermons and sermon outlines.)
  ...and we'll answer much more.
  
  

THE MINISTRY

• Who does the minister speak to and minister to?
  
• Where does he get education for the ministry?
  
• How does the preacher minister to his people?
  
• When does the minister counsel or minister to his people?
  
• What can a minister expect from his people?
  ...and we'll answer much more.
  
  
  

This web site will benefit anyone, man or woman, who proclaims the truth of God's Word in any official or unofficial capacity. That would include pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, as well as any lay ministers and teachers.

Anyone who has, who is, or who will in the future proclaim the truth of Scriptures can benefit from this web site. You can also be a benefit to other ministers who congregate at this web site.

I honestly want preachology.com, in some way, to help educate, edify, and encourage all who visit.

But fellow ministers, I need your help. I pray you will contribute your opinions, your sermons, your poems, your illustrations, and your stories. I want other ministers to be inspired by you and your work as well.

The bottom line is...we need each other.

To that end Preachology.com was created.

Please subscribe to my free newsletter. It tells you each month about the new information that I have added to my web site. It will also include some great ministry stories and favorite sermons and sermon ideas by me and other lovers of the ministry. Click here...The Preaching Ezine.

Also, please subscribe to my free Mini-Blog. This RSS feed is a small blog about ministry (kind of a journal), which will let you know whenever any new or changed web pages appear.

It will also keep you up-to-date with other special postings and points out some of our super-special past information that you might otherwise miss, like free sermons and preaching helps. Click here...The Preaching Blog.

Someone once said to a minister and I sense them saying it to me now, "speak up or shut up."

So, let's get started...

You can use the navbar to the left of every page or scroll through the table of contents below.