Tag Archives: Preaching

Dave Harvey “Am I called” – a review

Posted on October 17, 2012 by neilrobbie

I’ve been a pastor for three and a half years. Dave Harvey has been a pastor and church planter for 30 years and has served on the leadership team of Sovereign Grace Ministries for 17 years.  His book “Am I … Continue reading →

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Has Dave Harvey been reading Mr Still?

Posted on September 20, 2012 by neilrobbie

I have been benefitting from the opening chapters of Dave Harvey’s great little book “Am I Called?  The summons to Pastoral Ministry”  I picked it up to help me with discernment for others and am finding it an encouragement to … Continue reading →

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The lasting power of Reformed Experiential Preaching: Joel R. Beeke

Posted on November 14, 2011 by neilrobbie

Favourite books need to be re-read and re-read.  One of my top re-reads is Puritan Reformed Spirituality by Joel R. Beeke.  In this collection of essays, something which makes this an easy re-read, Beeke creates a wonderful blend of biography, … Continue reading →

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Curates. Beware of the step!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by neilrobbie

I’m interested to know what advice new incumbents [or pastors] might give to curates [or assistant ministers] whilst the experience of stepping up from the number two position to number one in church life is still fresh. I have been … Continue reading →

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Spurgeon: Feed your kids beside the shepherds’ tents

Posted on May 10, 2011 by neilrobbie

William Still, the Church of Scotland minister under whose preaching ministry I was converted, had a phrase “pastor, feed the sheep on such truth that men are called to Christ” [The Work of the Pastor]. C.H. Spurgeon uses similar language … Continue reading →

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Why you don’t have to be “good” to get to heaven

Posted on January 24, 2011 by neilrobbie

There are four types of people Jesus addresses in his gospel.  They have a mixture of pride or humility, ungodliness or godliness. Lots of people confuse these categories. They assume that “good” people are humble and godly and “bad” people … Continue reading →

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Oh to speak with conviction

Posted on January 13, 2011 by neilrobbie

My earlier post on mortification, crucifixion and prayer not only addresses ministry burnout but also conviction.  When I am tired and prayerless I am more alive to sin than dead to it and that includes a lack of conviction of … Continue reading →

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Liturgy for Titus (confession and creed)

Posted on January 11, 2011 by neilrobbie

We started a 7-week series on Paul’s letter to Titus on Sunday. As we try to match liturgy to the word, I’ve written a confession based on Titus 2 and picked up a creed from Michael Perry’s book “Bible Prayers … Continue reading →

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Ice cream van preacher – beaten to it!

Posted on September 29, 2010 by neilrobbie

A few years ago I asked my eldest son what he wanted to do when he grew up.  At 5-years old, he loved (still loves) ice cream and Jesus, so what better career than being an ice cream van preacher? … Continue reading →

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Form, content and character in church meetings

Posted on September 6, 2010 by neilrobbie

A God glorifying church meeting is a combination of three things. 1. Content. Paul writes to Timothy “follow the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim 1:13-14). There are sound and unsound words and the church service must contain the former. … Continue reading →

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