Matthew Schlimm

A few times in my 22-year preaching career I've tried shocking my people with a thundering, "prophetic," Amos-like sermon. Like Amos, I wanted to stir people out of their complacency. So I dropped my pastor hat and put on my prophet hat. It didn't work. Amos didn't go over big in rural Minnesota. But what are we, brothers and sisters? Are we pastors, prophets, or a combination of the two? Matthew Schlimm wrestles with those questions in his article "Are We Preachers or Prophets?" He builds a strong case for why most of us can't preach like Amos (at least not very often). What do you think? Is there a place for a prophet in the pulpit? If so, when and how? There's good food for thought here.

Simon Gill

Continuing our series on the Minor Prophets, new contributor and Kiwi (New Zealander) Simon Gill walks us through another one of those under-preached but powerful and relevant passages—this one from Joel 2 and 3. Gill says, "We have never been in a time like this. Stuff is happening in the world right now that was predicted by the Bible. Jesus is coming." It's exciting stuff, indeed, and it all comes from one of those tiny good news packed "minor" prophets.

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Research Shows We Cheat when the End Is in Sight
• Featured Video: God Is For Us: An inspirational mini-movie that tells of God's love and the story of Jesus' sacrifice for us all.
• Featured Sermon: "Jesus Is Our Only Refuge" by Simon Gill
• Featured Skills Article: "Are We Preachers or Prophets?" by Matthew Schlimm

Matt Woodley
Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

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Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.