In God’s kind providence, some Francophone preachers have the bit between the teeth in relation to expository preaching.
The first conference of ‘Prêche la Parole’ (‘PLP’ – ‘Preach the Word’, reflecting the mandate of 2 Timothy 4.2) took place in Paris from 2–4 November. It drew around 35 expositors from France, Switzerland and Belgium. Although there was a strong representation from France’s capital, a significant number of the pastors present had been trained at the Bible Institutes in Geneva and Brussels. Confessionally, PLP is tied to the Francophone Gospel Coalition (Evangile 21), embracing Reformed and complemen-tarian convictions.
Keys to understanding
The main speaker was William Taylor, Rector of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate. He reminded delegates of some key characteristics of Scripture and covered some important ground in the area of Bible handling. He also provided some keys to understanding John’s Gospel, concluding with two superb sermons – on John 5 and John 14 – which stirred the heart.
Under the decisive servant leadership of Etienne Koning, the conference called the participants to a ruthless commitment to hard work – and mutual encouragement – in understanding the text of Scripture, handling it correctly (cf. 2 Timothy 2.15) and applying it well. Preaching workshops, familiar to many en readers with links to the Proclamation Trust, played an important part in the programme.
Cautious optimism
There was too much of an ‘Anglophone feel’ to the conference. This is inevitable at this stage: with the delegates overwhelmingly in the 25–45 age bracket, and with many persuaded of the benefits of expository preaching thanks to exposure to model preaching in the UK, it is too early to expect a majority of expositors to emerge from within indigenous Francophone churches. But there is no doubt that expository preaching is taking root in Francophone Europe. There is an air of cautious, prayerful excitement at the thought of the impact that this could have for the kingdom.
Yet the emphases of PLP are not new. Quotations from John Calvin were highlighted as a helpful reminder of this. And Trevor Harris treated us to a presentation of the life and ministry of Jean Claude, a 17th-century French pastor whose commitment to exposition was used to keep Charles Simeon’s ministry on track.
Please pray that more local PLP groups would be launched and that existing ones would be strengthened. And please pray for wisdom for Etienne and Trevor as they consider the shape of future conferences.
