Encouraging Expository Excellence

“Preaching is primary….exposition is paramount” (Stephen Olford

About Me

preaching-at-harper-8.jpg

My name is John Brand.   I am married to Caroline and we have two grown up sons, Paul and Iain, who both still live with us here at home in the beautiful Clyde Valley of Scotland almost half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow.  We are members of Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Glasgow where I am on the Preaching Team.

Having served as Pastor in two Independent Evangelical Churches in England for 12 years, followed by 14 years, on the home staff of Africa Inland Mission (Aim International) in UK, the last 8 years as European Director, I am now Vice Principal of the Faith Mission Bible College in Edinburgh where I teach theology, homiletics, missiology and Bible exegesis.

I write this blog because I am convinced of two facts.

Firstly, in the words of John Stott, that “Preaching is indispensable to Christianity”. Without preaching a necessary part of its authenticity has been lost.”

Secondly because, in the words of Michael Green, “The standard of preaching in the modern world is deplorable.”

As a preacher of God’s Word for over 25 years I feel woefully inadequate in that role and far from equipped to teach anyone else anything about such a great and high calling and ministry but if I can do anything, even in some small way, to stimulate some thinking about this great work and provoke some serious action, then my feeble efforts will have been worthwhile.

This is, like my work as a preacher, a work under construction, so please come back again - and again - and feel absolutely free to comment as you feel appropriate.

12 Comments »

  Peter Mead wrote @ May 13, 2007 at 9:17 pm

Hi John - I’ve just found your blog and have been enjoying the content on there. It’s good to see another man in England committed to expository preaching! I am based in Surrey and have just started a new blog with a friend of mine from Portland, OR. Our blog is for stimulating Biblical Preaching through discussions related to applied homiletical theory, discussions of specific Biblical texts and preaching book reviews. I’d be honoured to get a mention on your list of “Preaching Related Sites” - I see a few familiar ones on there that have us listed. Our URL is http://biblicalpreaching.wordpress.com - thanks for all you’re doing and please keep pressing on!

Peter Mead

  John Brand wrote @ May 14, 2007 at 7:36 am

Great to hear from you, Peter and have gladly added your link to my list. The Lord prosper your work.

  Scott Brown wrote @ May 19, 2007 at 2:13 am

Hello Jon,
Your site is enormously encouraging to me and helpful. Thank you for the work.
Scott Brown, Wake Forest, North Carolina

  Sherman Haywood Cox II wrote @ May 19, 2007 at 5:50 pm

Just found your site…Keep up the good work…I will come daily…

  Steve wrote @ June 6, 2007 at 3:29 am

I very much appreciate your blog. Your joy in reading is extraordinary! And thank you for sharing the excellent points from all of the preaching books you have read.

  Juan Z wrote @ June 19, 2007 at 8:54 pm

Just found your site! I will be here often!

Thanks

Juan

  Joshua Operiano wrote @ June 25, 2007 at 5:44 am

Dear Bro John,

Greetings in HIS precious name!!
I am so grateful and thankful to God to hear from you again, my heart is overwhelm with joy to know that you are continuing the teaching and preaching the untainted Gospel of our Lord Jesus.

I am here in Vancouver leading the flock of God mostly Filipinos.
I thank God so much to be a part in Kingdom…

God bles you my Brother.

Bro Joshua
CCF-Vancouver

  Doug McMasters wrote @ July 3, 2007 at 6:16 pm

Hi John,

Thank you for visiting http://www.thelifeword.blogspot.com and bookmarking me on your blog. I look forward to reading your blog and profiting from those things precious to us both.

Sincerely,

Doug McMasters
London

  Righton yomba wrote @ September 7, 2007 at 8:28 am

Hi Pastor and educator John
Godorn sent this website to me .I am excited how God still can use you through such humble beginning.Keep focused to the central message “Jesus Christ “! for the redemptive clear ,simple message to transform lives of people.I am looking forward to read your website.
Righton
Mbeya,Tanzania.

  Mark Webb wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 6:54 pm

John,

I have just found your site and eager to read through more of it. God has called me to preach the word, so I am striving to do His will and hope that a pastoral position will open up soon.

I have started a study in Ezekiel and there are several sections that I would like to preach. What would you suggest as study helps for a difficult book such as Ezekiel?

Mark

  Stuart McCormack wrote @ December 19, 2007 at 10:48 am

Hi John
just been reading a bit of the site this morning and found myself greatly encouraged as usual. I hit on a link titled “advice to young preachers” (dated 22 Oct 2007). I loved the article and thought it would be encouraging to share with some of the young people I’m encouraging in this area, as well as to use for Church magazine. Would you have any objection to me copying and using it (attributing it to you of course!)?

I keep meaning to give you a call to catch up - I’m not so good at being mindful sometimes. Anyway, you are in our thoughts and prayers often. Every blessing

stuart

  Tony Konvalin wrote @ January 26, 2008 at 9:40 pm

I have been reading your site for awhile and thought I would leave a note of encouragement and thanks. I look forward to reading more in the future.

Grace and Peace,
Tony Konvalin, Anaheim, CA

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