FACING SNARLS AND SCOWLS
Preaching through hostility, apathy, and
adversity in church revitalization
By Brian Croft and James Carroll
Christian Focus. 159 pages. £7.99
ISBN 978 1 527 103 825
This book is written by two American Baptist pastors to encourage pastors who are experiencing hostility, apathy or adversity to persevere in the expository preaching of the Word of God.
They identify the danger, especially in a church revitalisation situation, and in a culture obsessed with entertainment, of pastors seeking greater popularity by adopting a topical and textual preaching programme focused on felt needs and practical principles for living.
Part 1 of the book describes some exemplary persevering preachers from the Bible (Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Paul and the apostles) and from church history (Charles Simeon, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon).
Part 2 of the book argues that expository preaching should be the rudder that steers the ship of the church. The authors contend that, to be effective, expository preaching should be God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, and Spirit-empowered. They describe what an expository sermon is, based on Bryan Chappell’s definition in his book Christ-Centred Preaching (2005). Also, they draw attention to the nine imperatives contained in Paul’s charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
Part 3 of the book describes the authors’ personal experiences of preaching through seasons of hostility, apathy and adversity. They urge pastors to ‘preach and stay’, rather than to ‘preach and leave’ when things become difficult and discouraging. Paul’s experiences with the church in Corinth are used as a biblical example of a persevering ministry. Regular criticism is likened to the preacher having a rucksack that is filled week after week, one stone at a time, until eventually it becomes unbearable. The book finishes with the reminder that pastors are insufficient in themselves for the demands of ministry, but the Lord’s sufficient grace and strength will enable pastors to persevere.
This book urges pastors to be self-reflective and self-aware when facing criticism – perhaps your preaching is not as good as you think it is, or you are proud and impatient with others. But it also encourages pastors who are struggling and facing difficulties in ministry to persevere in faithfully preaching God’s word and pastoring the congregation, in humble dependence upon God.
